bottom fishing / kelp beds

I have been bottom fishing a good number of times, but it has always been a good bit offshore at pretty deep depths.     Do you guys typically fish fairly close to shore in or near the kelp beds?    Do you constantly drift then occasionally paddle / reposition or anchor up in any way?     How do tactics change during tide change vs slack tide?     I guess you can see I am anxious to start learning the ropes for when I I am geared up and have progressed my paddling skills enough to start fishing the salt.

Thanks

Popular bottomfish are rockfish, greenling, lingcod, cabezon. These types of fish live in shallow rocky reefs and are very good eating.

Jigheads (I use min. of 1 oz of lead) rigged with swimbaits/grubs (big hammer, kalins, gulp etc.) of some sort work well.

Tidal change requires heavier jig than slack tide.

I have only fished the salt a few times, but I have always drifted over the reefs while jigging for rockfish using the baits mentioned by micahgee.  There are a lot of reefs close to shore reachable by kayak.  You can see a lot of the reports, with tips, here.

           I agree with Micah---metal is the easiest bait to use.Nice and neat.Either leadheads or any of a variety of jigs will work for salt fishing.Using real bait,ie herring,works real good but is a hassle and can make a mess of your boat.
            As to the where part of your question---------bottom fish like structure.If you can find rock piles,humps,a jetty (hint,hint),or even kelp beds you will generally find fish.Certain fish prefer one type structure over another.Those preferences you will find with expirence or research.And of course,some bottom fish are only found at serious depths.
             Because of the limited scope of kayak fishing,You'll probably want to stay fairly close to shore.Close being a realative term.Personally,I'm not totally comfortable 10 miles out unless I'm fishing with a support boat,which is not an option most of the time.You have to find your own comfort level.That said,Drifting over a hump dangling a bait and bouncing it off the bottom works well.Row/paddle back "upstream" and do it again works.If you are there at slack tide,vertical jigging is very effective.
            Anchoring......I do not do that in the salt.Others might, but I do not find that to work for me.
            Trolling is also an effective way to fish from a kayak.Try that too.
             Get your gear squared away,get out on the water,and have some fun with fishing from a kayak.
         

  PS---get some underwater charts to help narrow down your fishing area.They are very helpful........

           I agree with Micah---metal is the easiest bait to use.Nice and neat.Either leadheads or any of a variety of jigs will work for salt fishing.Using real bait,ie herring,works real good but is a hassle and can make a mess of your boat.
            As to the where part of your question---------bottom fish like structure.If you can find rock piles,humps,a jetty (hint,hint),or even kelp beds you will generally find fish.Certain fish prefer one type structure over another.Those preferences you will find with expirence or research.And of course,some bottom fish are only found at serious depths.
             Because of the limited scope of kayak fishing,You'll probably want to stay fairly close to shore.Close being a realative term.Personally,I'm not totally comfortable 10 miles out unless I'm fishing with a support boat,which is not an option most of the time.You have to find your own comfort level.That said,Drifting over a hump dangling a bait and bouncing it off the bottom works well.Row/paddle back "upstream" and do it again works.If you are there at slack tide,vertical jigging is very effective.
            Anchoring......I do not do that in the salt.Others might, but I do not find that to work for me.
            Trolling is also an effective way to fish from a kayak.Try that too.
             Get your gear squared away,get out on the water,and have some fun with fishing from a kayak.
         

  PS---get some underwater charts to help narrow down your fishing area.Thet are very helpful........

NOAA's charts are available online for free

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/PacificCoastViewerTable.shtml

I have been bottom fishing a good number of times, but it has always been a good bit offshore at pretty deep depths.     Do you guys typically fish fairly close to shore in or near the kelp beds?

Yes, I fish in 10-60 FOW mainly. The closer to Kelp beds for greenling and perch. Not only near kelp but on structure, this is where a depth finder is handy,

    Do you constantly drift then occasionally paddle / reposition or anchor up in any way?

Don't recomend using an anchor on the ocean,not the safest thing. You can use a kelp clip to tie of to a kelp bed. A little drift is good so your always fishing a new spot, when you get a hit or fish then try to stay as near to the spot as possible, not that easy sometimes. Too much drift and you need alot more weight and you lose twice as much gear by snags.

     How do tactics change during tide change vs slack tide? 

No real change in tactics just might need more weight to get it to stay on the bottom with stronger flows.

   I guess you can see I am anxious to start learning the ropes for when I I am geared up and have progressed my paddling skills enough to start fishing the salt.

Thanks

Have fun when you do get out there. You don't need to be an expert paddler(unless in a sink w/a skirt) for the Ocean but dressing for Immersion is, or at least dressing for your comfort level is important. Some people wouldn't even think of going in the Ocean without a dry suit, I use a neoprene chest wader and a cheap splash top in winter and usually shorts and a splash top or a t-shirt in summer. ...sometimes it's just too damn hot!!... I take the risk sometimes and  the responsibility if something bad happens. I'm usually pretty close to shore/rocks. I always wear a PFD!!