Anyone else in the interior?

Hello all. I have been lurking around here for a few months now and thought I would finally take the plunge and sign up. I am brand new to Kayak fishing so I will try my best not to annoy you all with stupid questions. I would like to get hooked up with a few guys locally if possible for some local fishing, and I would really love to hook up with some of you big city folk for some salt water fishing if you don't mind. I'll drive if there is someone else in the Fairbanks area that wants to go along.  I know nothing about it so you will have talk slow and in short sentences to me about anything salt water related.   As for a boat I just picked up a Native ultimate 14.5. at Sportsman's for a song. I look forward to getting to know you fellows.

Most of the active members from AK on here are in Southcentral.  Most of which live near Anchorage.  There are a few in other areas, but mostly near the ocean.

Lots of good resources in the AK forum and the rest of the boards too

I know Mark Collett on these forums fished the area many of us fish in a Native Watercraft.  I think he did ok with the exception that its not self bailing.  So I bet he can chime in on any recommendations. 

Last pic is Jammer on this forum trying one Mark's Native ultimate's (at least I think they were Native ultimates....) on the Lower Kenai River.

  Kard is correct---we used Native Ultimate 12's. Fished the Kenai River, Deep Creek, Whisky Gulch, The Swanson River, and I went out of Homer a few times too. So yes---you can fish them in the salt. But you better be prepared --as Rudy said "they are not self-bailing". If you get into some serious waves or chop, they can be a real problem. For quieter lakes and rivers they work well. They are more canoe than kayak. Not a bad rig for hunting from either because of the extra carrying capacity.After break-up you might try running the Yukon River if it's not too narly.
 RG_86 --be aware that I have been kayaking/canoeing for over 40 years so that amount of experience could make a difference in what water you may be comfortable with. Since we (the wife and I) have upgraded to Hobie's we have sold the Natives. I hope you got a good deal on them.
 If you are wanting to go out in the salt water you might want to ask some of the Alaska guys if they would let you "borrow" one of their Hobie SOT's for a day. Besides it would give you a great reason to hook up with some fellow anglers to learn the ins and outs of kayak fishing. They have made some very generous offers to folks in the past . I plan/hope to get together with them myself several times this year. I work on the North Slope so I am in Alaska quite a bit. Just need to go up early or stay late after work to make it happen.

 Welcome to NWKA. Spend the time  looking through past threads. There is a lot to learn on here and most of us are happy to help shorten others learning curve. Keep us posted on your growth and progress.

 And Kard----thanks for posting those pics. I hadn't seen them for quite a while. Brings back good memories.
 
 

Mark -- Hope to get a chance to fish with you when you're here this summer. Always nice to meet folks from NWKA who had a hand in getting me started on this addiction, and who've given good and prudent advice along the way.

Thanks for the advice guys. I think i got a good deal $799 for the boat. I have seen it else were for over 1200. I debated between it and a slayer propel but being that I will be doing both hunting and mainly light river and lake around here I choose the ultimate. As for going out on the salt. I would love to get down there and go with some of you folks this summer. My job can take me to anchorage any time I want to so it shouldn't be a issue. I would love to try some salt water fishing. Halibut and salmon shark are on  my bucket list.

 

Yup. Should PERFECT for what you are mainly targeting. I got an extra outback if you want to give it a go. Be aware that saltwater is 1 hour to an unproductive but beautiful whiitier.  To 4 hours for homer. Just in case you are flying down. But we can cover that too I bet.

Halibut is easy!!! At least a 75% or better we can get ya a small one on the first try. Salmon shark?  Uhh....only the most elite of the kayakers can claim those with our fearless leader polepole of this forum as one. I plan to try it either out of Homer or Valdez but I bet it takes at least a decade to get hooked up unless you get a boat ride to a known location!!! Of course that's a part of the challenge!!!!!

Hope to see ya on the water!!!

I plan to try it either out of Homer or Valdez but I bet it takes at least a decade to get hooked up unless you get a boat ride to a known location!!! Of course that's a part of the challenge!!!!!

Hmmm ... I know this forest service cabin, that is about 2-3 miles from a known salmon shark producing area ... 

-Allen

And it's name is??

Shelter Bay.

-Allen

Well Thank you Kardinal and all the others for the warm welcomes. I would love to try out any boats I can. I am interested in going with you guys on any of the trips that I can. The drive time doesn't really bother me as I go down to Anchorage for work several times a year and I can always get some work done before or after fishing. My wife and I go to Kenai  a few times a year for camping and backpacking as well. We are actually planning on being there for a week or two in mid July of this year.

  Have you guys ever tried dropping a shrimp pot or two while you have been out?

  Also can I get some recommendations on type of suit to buy for the ocean? I have looked here and else were and most of the posts are a few years old. Do I need a full one piece dry suit, will a wet suit work? or should I buy one of those two piece deals? I don't mind about terribly about cost ( not that i want to spend a million bucks or anything) I just want a good quality setup that will last for several years and hopefully never be actually needed. I am 6'5 and 280lbs

Those posts about the suits are still good advice, the model names of some brands may have changed a bit though.

You can use whatever setup you like, but the most important things to think about is comfort and warmth.

I personally prefer the dry bibs and a dry top together.  I'm not a big fan of single piece dry suits, and in order to get the proper fit for my upper and lower body I need two different sizes.  Plus the bibs can double as waders.

Make sure you get something with a front zipper in the location most convenient for using the bathroom.  Several hours on the water sure can make for some uncomfortable fishing if you can relieve your bladder pressure.  And get something that is a little bigger than normal, to allow for extra layers of insulation.

Shelter Bay.

-Allen

That looks like a good spot for a hunt fish combo.  Deer, bear, halibut, shark.....that would be kinda fun

Shelter Bay.

-Allen

ROAD TRIP!!!! Or I guess fly and/or water taxi trip!!!!!!!!!!!

Shelter Bay.

-Allen

ROAD TRIP!!!! Or I guess fly and/or water taxi trip!!!!!!!!!!!

July anyone??

If we hurry, we can reserve the cabin