Starting Over in Kayak Fishing

I returned to Western Oregon this past summer after 14 years away from the ocean, and can’t wait to get back on the water. I’ve done some kayaking, both in SINKs and SOTs, mostly in the ocean and bays. I thought I’d be limited to easy paddles of a few hours due to severe damage to my shoulders—enter the Mirage drive—I’ll join the Hobie club soon.

Most of my kayak ocean ‘fishing’ was many years ago in early SOTs using a spear gun and an abalone iron (anyone remember the Royak? And I finally got rid of my ScupperPro just last year.) More recently also done a bit of freshwater fishing in E. WA and a trip or two each year in La Jolla with my brother. I've never rigged a kayak for fishing.

I'd appreciate suggestions for very basic/minimalist boat rigging for a Revo13 for Springers and PC/Sunset Bay rockfish. I'd like to start simple, and adjust from there.

In the past, I used a wetsuit (a swim was part of the plan), or a farmer john wetsuit with a spray jacket, but since I don't plan to swim, will likely get an Angler dry suit. While dressing for the water temp is good practice, what do most people wear on warm summer days in the ocean?

Dave

Welcome to the group.  I like the minimalist approach, no need to paddle several pounds of unnecessary gear around. 

Welcome!

Good choice with the Revo 13. I'd suggest fishing it bone-stock a couple times first. Figure out which side you like to fish / land fish from and then install a rod holder or three, if you want them. (It comes with two built-in holders that work as well as being able to strap a rod to the opposite side as your paddle.)
There is a lot of room in the tank well. Put something back there to keep tackle. (Crate, backpack, etc...)
Fishfinder placement is completely subjective...
Tracks are handy for everything.
Get a VHF. (if you don't already have one)
Clothing: I am cold blooded and still wear wool socks and varying layers of polyester / fleece depending on the day. I bring it all and just decide before launching how many layers to add.

Go out with others and ask them lots of questions, you'll pick it back up in no time. Hope this helps.

Oh, and Pee before you launch. It doesn't work the same with a drysuit as it does with a wetsuit...   

Oh, and Pee before you launch. It doesn't work the same with a drysuit as it does with a wetsuit...   

Having nudged past 50, my rent on coffee isn't as long as it once was... a relief zip + pmmpete's solution seems in order

Oh, and Pee before you launch. It doesn't work the same with a drysuit as it does with a wetsuit...   

On first glance I thought you had missed and sprayed the paper covering the rod pod.  Then I realized it was the bathymetry of the lake you were fishing.  Kind of ironic but "Rod pod" would also be a great name for the device you are holding.

This reminds me of another great thing about Hobies..... the center mounted urinal.

Welcome back to kayak fishing DARice.

Mount a fish finder using the Hobie mast tube mount,  zero drilling required,  then fish a few times before adding rod holders and other crap. 

Yeah, I remember the Royak, but I'm probably one of the last. My father drafted up the plans for Roy in 1970 and we got one of the first off the production line. My dad's still got his original plan drawings, but I can't get him to ship them to me. One day I'll pry them loose from my old man's stash.

I returned to Western Oregon this past summer after 14 years away from the ocean, and can’t wait to get back on the water. I’ve done some kayaking, both in SINKs and SOTs, mostly in the ocean and bays. I thought I’d be limited to easy paddles of a few hours due to severe damage to my shoulders—enter the Mirage drive—I’ll join the Hobie club soon.

Most of my kayak ocean ‘fishing’ was many years ago in early SOTs using a spear gun and an abalone iron (anyone remember the Royak? And I finally got rid of my ScupperPro just last year.) More recently also done a bit of freshwater fishing in E. WA and a trip or two each year in La Jolla with my brother. I've never rigged a kayak for fishing.

I'd appreciate suggestions for very basic/minimalist boat rigging for a Revo13 for Springers and PC/Sunset Bay rockfish. I'd like to start simple, and adjust from there.

In the past, I used a wetsuit (a swim was part of the plan), or a farmer john wetsuit with a spray jacket, but since I don't plan to swim, will likely get an Angler dry suit. While dressing for the water temp is good practice, what do most people wear on warm summer days in the ocean?

Dave

That's pretty amazing! A friend had a beat up Royak in the early '80s that we cut our teeth on near Gualala, CA; we'd line it down a cliff and take turns paddling to reefs where we could get larger abalone, cabezon and ling cod. That round hull was pretty tender, but with practice it surfed well!

Yeah, I remember the Royak, but I'm probably one of the last. My father drafted up the plans for Roy in 1970 and we got one of the first off the production line. My dad's still got his original plan drawings, but I can't get him to ship them to me. One day I'll pry them loose from my old man's stash.

As long as the wave was a soft swell at slow speed it surfed okay. I buried the bow on that Royak all the time in breaking surf. That picture was the last time I took it on a serious trip somewhere south of Loretto in Baja mid-80s. I remember working for hours to get to an offshore island then watch as a couple blew past me at twice my speed in sea kayaks. They vanished over the horizon bound for islands farther offshore. Some time after that trip I spend my entire savings on a sea kayak, sold the Royak and never regretted it. They were good for their time, now a bit of ancient history.

That's pretty amazing! A friend had a beat up Royak in the early '80s that we cut our teeth on near Gualala, CA; we'd line it down a cliff and take turns paddling to reefs where we could get larger abalone, cabezon and ling cod. That round hull was pretty tender, but with practice it surfed well!

Yeah, I remember the Royak, but I'm probably one of the last. My father drafted up the plans for Roy in 1970 and we got one of the first off the production line. My dad's still got his original plan drawings, but I can't get him to ship them to me. One day I'll pry them loose from my old man's stash.