hello

So... midwest transplant to the san francisco bay area.

scared to death of drowning or being eaten by something in the ocean....

made sense to get a small boat and go to said ocean and catch something to eat from it.

i now own a 2015 prowler BG2 .... rigged with a fishfinder... 35 watt solar panel soon to be mounted on the back ( all day fish finder ) ... going to stuff some pool noodles in the bottom ... PFD... rape whistle... milk crate ... handheld marine radio... wet suit.... running lights....

need to get... downrigger and ocean pole... all my landlubber stuff seems a bit light weight for what im reading can hit

also saw some folks making small sails... with the wind usually blowing to shore it might make sense to have some assist getting home ( comments on this and anything else welcome )

Welcome!!! I think controlled fear is healthy. You have right to be concerned but having said that, properly prepared, thousands of us do it every day safely.   

Too much fun to miss out on!!! Go get'em!!!!

Welcome to salty waters

I would not add a sail at this point - sounds like you already have a lot of gear to adjust to, and a sail will only add more complexity.  Paddle a while then see if you want to add one.  I am one of those with a DIY sail rig, and it usually stays at home to tell the truth...  Maybe if I rebuilt it, hmmmm 

Jim

You might want to wait on the downrigger too.... again, too much complexity, and maybe not a great "first purchase" investment...
Many of our most productive and more celebrated members don't use a downrigger all that much, if at all... Doesn't mean they don't own one, just that it's not always something to drag along.

You might want to wait on the downrigger too.... again, too much complexity, and maybe not a great "first purchase" investment...
Many of our most productive and more celebrated members don't use a downrigger all that much, if at all... Doesn't mean they don't own one, just that it's not always something to drag along.

+1

I love my downrigger. But I'm learning to catch fish without it. And if I can do that, a downrigger is just extra hassle.

It's definitely a useful tool and can be ultra productive. But it wouldn't be a purchase until I had a specific use for it.

I think less is more. Until ,of course, you find you need it.My best days catching fish have been with the bare minimums gear-wise.Of course it is fun learning the hard way-just make sure you tie it all down.I have already pulled up 2 derelict crab pots with my anchor.Plus when the shit hits the proverbial fan all that extra(read unnecessary) "stuff" just gets in the way.You are after all on a kayak and catching fish without all the goo-gahs is the mark of someone whose really fishing and not being a peacock.

  Hi Dan,
 Welcome to NWKA.
 You have not given us any clue a to your expirence with kayak fishing so I will say the advice given so far is valid and worth heeding. KISS
 Take your time... get used to your boat...add extra stuff when you feel it is needed. Simple works......try that before you complicate things.
 No need to "be a peacock" as Mistah Yates stated.
 Just go catch some fish........
 

So KISS....

I like that idea.

I have extensive john boat / canoe  river fishing and pond fishing experience. Almost no kayaking experience, almost means I have taken the new kayak out on ponds locally. Salt water fishing.. no experience.

I will say after using the kayak I have reduced the amount of stuff i have tied to the boat after realizing I was pretty much tied to the boat from all the stuff I had tied to the boat moving around and leaving 550 cord all over me.  I also have been rearranging the scotty mounts so my knees like it better.

My reaction so far is the kayak is much nicer to move around than the john boat and my kayak seems thus far much harder to roll than a canoe. Getting back on said Kayak is something I will need to practice

What would be considered light gear ( fishing string lb test  / rod ) and what do you all use for bait in the ocean ? 

I will say after using the kayak I have reduced the amount of stuff i have tied to the boat after realizing I was pretty much tied to the boat from all the stuff I had tied to the boat moving around and leaving 550 cord all over me.  I also have been rearranging the scotty mounts so my knees like it better.

Good. That's kayak Fishing 001....

So here is the semi final layout...

I am not sure if this will change but suggestions are welcome

Best rule of thumb: When you sit on it, does everything you installed come easily to hand, and is there absolute minimal danger of entanglement from leashes, cables, keepers, etc.?

On a personal note, This looks pretty close to how my 8 yro T 15 is rigged.