New to Yaking, Familiar with fishing- Anchorage, AK

I got my Ocean kayak Prowler 13 for a college graduation gift in December and spent late winter/spring dialing it in.  I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out add ons and features, but still feel that I'm far from having it perfectly dialed in. Nonetheless, I was able to get out with my paddling partner (the significant other) on our maiden voyage to Prince William Sound (Passage Canal) out of Whittier, AK on May 3, 2015.

You couldn't have asked for a better day: blue bird skies, water laid down like glass, marine life (fish of course as well as a group Steller Sea Lions). It was amazing catching from a kayak because fish I would typically consider junk fish (Irish lords, sculpins, soles, etc), all seemed much cooler when you're that close to the sea.
Already looking forward to the next trip (I've got a batch hooligan brining as I type )

Looking forward to joining the forum to learn some new tricks and meet new people. Please feel free to pass on some pointers, critique, or message to just shot the wind.

-AKStumpy

Good pics and nice weather, the alaska group is growing.

Love to see more folks hitting the water in Alaska!

It seems like all of us are novices at Kayak angling here in Alaska.  I've only been seriously at it since 2011.  But man has it changed my perspective on fishing Alaska.  I have a Kenai River skiff. And a 21 ft center console with a 150hp perfect for Whittier and Seward.  Neither powerboats have been started since 2011.   

You found the right place for info!  Learned pretty muuch everything I could here before hitting the water.  Probably saved my life once! 

I have a modest website for fishing southcentral Alaska.  Take a look and if something interests you, ask here.  You'll get LOTS better answers than just asking me.  www.AlaskaKayakFisher.com

A few of us are fishing the Anchor Point King derby this weekend.  But mark May 30 and 31 on your calendar.  We will be having our thrid annual NWKA get together and halibut derby at Whiskey Gulch.  Come join us!!!

What were the water temps? If under 50 degrees you might want to reconsider what your wearing.

What were the water temps? If under 50 degrees you might want to reconsider what your wearing.

I second that!

That water is probably low forties.  Definitely have a good understanding of the 1-10-1 rule. You have one minute to get your breathing under control. Ten minutes of useful motion. Them an hour before you are hypothermic and unconscious. This is with no insulation.  I have seen tests where with drysuit and insulation, the survival time can be increased to many hours. 

Coast guard says 20% of folks die in the first minute. 

http://live.cgaux.org/?p=872

Just be honest with yourself and abilities.

What were the water temps? If under 50 degrees you might want to reconsider what your wearing.

Mojo Jojo, I couldn't agree more. I actually originally had started out with several layers on but by the time the air temp was in the mid-60s plus with a pretty warm sun, I found myself sweating and stripping down to just a tee (in fact I got my first May sunburn in 18 years of living here). If it weren't for the conditions (at times, our kayak wakes were the only waves on the water) and seldom being more than 1/4 mi from shore I wouldn't have been dressed the way I did. But I should know from my boating experience is that most hypothermic and immersion incidents occur on blue-sky days just like so; so I've been looking for a dry suit or semi-dry suits that doesn't break the bank with little luck. I have kept my trips to local lakes until I do get the proper suit.

Kardinal_84, Thanks for the warm welcome man! I'll definitely keep the NWKA Tourney in mind, if I'm not already fishing the Sound for work. BTW, I'm very familiar with your blogs, postings, and of course, the adn article that you were featured in last year. Alot of the information you have provided over the years has helped me get my kayaks out for the first time and set some pretty high kayak-bucket-list goals.

Kayak Shed is selling the Kokatat anglers for $515 shipped if you use the NWKA promo code. I just picked one up and it's pretty awesome

I use a wetsuit because I over heat and a dry suit or top makes me feel like a baked potato. I can wet my suit to cool off and the black keeps me warm on colder days.

I'm glad to hear the efforts of NWKA and my stuff got you out! I have always been a fishing nut, but this kayak thing is CRAZY perfect as a one man craft.  THE ULTIMATE fishing platform! Lol.

Wait...fish for work? Care to explain yourself?? I have a serious problem containing my immense jealousy though if it's commercial fishing, that's just too fricking hard work for this boy. ...though I'd still be jealous!

Kayak Shed is selling the Kokatat anglers for $515 shipped if you use the NWKA promo code. I just picked one up and it's pretty awesome

Thanks for the intel Ripper! Might have to check 'em out.

Kardinal_84, I'm an AK Fish and Gamer. One of the projects I will be assisting on is a rockfish study, mainly revolving around rockfish survival by species using deepwater release mechanisms in PWS near Knight. Now that I think about it, maybe I should be bringing my kayak to work!

Mojo, do you find the wetsuit warm enough in early and late season? They make sense economically for sure!

  AkStumpy,

 Welcome to this crazy bunch .
 You don't have to break your bank account to have appropriate outer wear for cold water. I can't use a full dry suit due to physical limitations. (back injuries).
 So instead I got some Kokatat Hydrus dry pants for $180 and an NRS dry top for about $130 , both from Next Adventure in PDX. When testing for leaks I'll get a little of water inside --- but never enough to push me off the water. You might give a similar idea some thought.

 And yes--- take your kayak to work. Lots of fishy spots out in PWS. It can enhance your job a bunch. Make you look good for your boss too.

Kayak Shed is selling the Kokatat anglers for $515 shipped if you use the NWKA promo code. I just picked one up and it's pretty awesome

Thanks for the intel Ripper! Might have to check 'em out.

Kardinal_84, I'm an AK Fish and Gamer. One of the projects I will be assisting on is a rockfish study, mainly revolving around rockfish survival by species using deepwater release mechanisms in PWS near Knight. Now that I think about it, maybe I should be bringing my kayak to work!

Mojo, do you find the wetsuit warm enough in early and late season? They make sense economically for sure!

I'm forcibly retired garbage truck driver " solid waste and recycling relocation technician" for the upper class guys and I would be in shorts and a tee shirt in late October packing trash and in late January early February, I might not be the guy to ask for the normal answer but you can put other layers over it that are synthetic to help but the sun heats up a black wetsuit fast when it's colder but not cloudy.

[emoji41] hope to see you guy and fish with the rest of others Ak Kayaker this upcoming year in Whittier and Seward. Homer is just too far for me to drive. Hmmm after, I researched and watched you guys on YouTube looks like I will be going to Homer on March/19/2016.[emoji106]