Hoping to get into Kayaking

Hey everyone. My name is Kaleb I moved here from Ohio back in Jan so I'm new to the whole OCEAN thing lol and the idea that water is less than luke warm in Aug. Was excited for my first salmon fishing, but I was quick to realized that living here in Port Angeles there's no shore fishing for them most the year and since they closed the Elwha, the Dungeness is the only opportunity for ohhhh 60 miles? well besides the Sol Duc near the hatchery. So I had the question of a boat, my girlfriends dad has a few and trucks, but its darn near impossible to get that man into gear not to mention he'll talk about it like he knows what to do, but once we get out he gets this blank look and asks me sooooo what you want to do? I mean its cool and he'll even let me borrow one on occasion, but lordy the truck gets 10mpg and last time we used 7 gallons in only like 2 hours trolling. Personally all that extra hassle loading and unloading, the gear needed, and all just for the extra room. That's kinda what gave me the idea of a kayak, I can put it on my car, it gets me out and active, and I can get out to where the salmon are most of the year. But since I'm into woodworking, I want to make my own boat. So then comes the dreaded SOT vs SIK discussion, since its so cold up here and the wind is well unpredictable, wouldn't I want a Sit in? I plan on most likely putting outriggers on it, adding some float bags, and adding a battery and trolling motor for long days or when I want a more controlled troll hands free. Also I have debated lowing the center of balance with a lead keel weight to improve stability. Right now the kayak I'm looking at is the Siskiwit Bay LV its a 17 footer would it be suitable? How do y'all do kayak fishing? It worth the effort?

I think most folks here would agree that kayak fishing is worth the effort...thats why theres a forum dedicated to it 

Sit on Top vs. Sit Inside thread, one of many:
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=11762.0

Thats a pretty narrow kayak, 21" wide. Not exactly a beginners kayak, especially for fishing. Instead of putting on outriggers, why build a not build wider, more stable kayak say at least 26" wide? Most folks fish from kayaks 10"+ wider than the Siskiwit Bay. Very cool that you are going to build your own, but unless you are an experienced sea kayaker looking for a touring kayak, it doesn't seem to be the most suitable design for a fishing kayak for someone new to the Ocean.

Hi Kaleb,

I'm rather new to this hard shell kayak fishing myself. When I began my learning curve I lurked here on this forum as well as the NCKA http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/, read lots and lots of past and present posts, asked questions and watched a bunch of YouTube Videos. After a short while I became an armchair kayak fishing expert LOL. Seriously, it's great to get lots of opinions so you can formulate a good plan for yourself.

In your area and close by should be a tremendous number of used kayaks which will begin to come available more as the season winds down. You may want to look on the Craig's list dedicated to your area http://olympic.craigslist.org/ and if nothing suitable comes up venture out a bit farther, say the Seattle Craig's list http://seattle.craigslist.org/. Buying a used but good kayak may get you on the water quicker and give you the chance to think about what changes you'd make if it were a build. Just a thought.

I read you are considering a build and that could turn into a fun albeit long project. When I visited the Pt. Townsend Wood Boat Festival a few years back one of the Companies on display was Chesapeake Light Craft www.clcboats.com I think they are all stitch and glue boats. I was very impressed with the offerings. Don't recall when the Wood Boat Festival is, but if it comes up you may wish to take that drive and spend the day checking out the vendors and the craftsmen (See photo below).

I suppose you've played 20 questions with the folks at Swains. I wouldn't be surprised to see one of those people into kayak fishing.

When I lived there (hundred years ago it seems) it was possible to drag a row boat down the beach and launch into Freshwater cove. All around the little island in the entrance to the cove was loaded with black abs at 8-12 foot, tons of free swimming scallops and plenty of opportunities for rock fish as the water got a little deeper. I believe the only way to access that area now would be from the Strait side; there was a condo project being built on the site preventing me to enter.

You live in a real sportsman's paradise with plenty of fish and other edibles to target even if you cannot find a good place to fish for Salmon. Another thought to a sit on top kayak is capacity. Out mooching or trolling for Salmon is a great time to drop a crab pot to see if there any willing to jump aboard (see photo).

If you build, or buy make sure to take photos and post them on the forum.

 

Yeah I thought it was pretty narrow too, I planned on adding at least 3" to the width for some extra stability and maybe 1 or 2 to the height....size 13+ feet really are a hassle lol. It was just a starting idea though, who knows what I'll end up making. Yeah it would indeed be a long project, but it wouldn't be tooooo intensive for a while the fun would come making the combing and glassing and joining the halves.

Before you build, test paddle some kayaks with a retailer if possible.  They have all the various sizes and you will have a better idea about how width/length affect paddling and what size will be best for what you want to do on the water.   Good luck with the build, and there are many kayak anglers that use Sit-ins, too.