Newb plan for the big blue (or, tell me what I am planning on doing wrong)

Howdy all,

I would really appreciate some experienced feedback - I'll man up and confess that I am a total newb when it comes to kayaks, fishing from kayaks, etc.

My goal is to be fishing nearshore ocean by this time next year, if not a whole heck of alot sooner.

My experience with kayaks is negligible to very limited.  I have tooled around a small lake on a small SOT a few summers ago, and took a Hobie Outback for a spin earlier this week.

I am planning on buying an Outback in the very, very near future.  My hope is to have it and all of the requisite minimal gear in hand by mid-june.

And once I have it, I am going to spend the month of July practicing.  Hagg lake in the first week for the starters - break in, re-entry drills, fishing basics.  Then Netarts to practice more, and to get some salt on me.  And then maybe cruise around Nehalem.

I am pretty adventurous, but I understand that my limited experience can put me in over my head if I am not careful.

How long after I get the kayak, assuming I take it out at least every other day, would a reasonable person suggest I wait before attempting a surf launch at, say, Pacific City?

Cheers,
Madoc

It depends ...

I find that different people get comfortable with their kayaking skills at different rates.  Assuming you are properly dressed and are comfortable in your kayak skills, give it a go on a calm day.  Perhaps find a more sheltered launch and get comfortable with the wave and swell action on the big blue before attempting an entry through the surf.  It really helps if you can wrangle a more experienced paddler to go with you and give you pointers.

-Allen

It took me almost two years, but that's only because it also took me that long to find this forum! When you are comfortable being able to get back on your yak under any circumstances, then it's time to get more adventurous. I would advise taking a trip down to Sunset Bay first. It's like launching in a lake, and then you are in the ocean! Being able to paddle all day without getting tired is also a must! PC was my third ocean launch, and was my most memorable day of fishing in the last 50 years! Having a whale breach 20 feet from your yak really adds to the experience!

PC was my third ocean launch, and was my most memorable day of fishing in the last 50 years! Having a whale breach 20 feet from your yak really adds to the experience!

Damn I love hearing statements like this!!!

-Allen

PC was my third ocean launch, and was my most memorable day of fishing in the last 50 years! Having a whale breach 20 feet from your yak really adds to the experience!

Yup, absolutely an experience you got to see for yourself at least once.  I have only been in the ocean twice so far, and had a whale breach about 20 feet from Yakinitup, and I on the second trip.  This was at PC and really close to the rock out there.   

I started yak fishing last fall, and with the help of many on this forum, I have put my yak in waters that my power boat has never seen.  If and when you feel you are ready to hit the salt at PC, Jeff (Yakinitup) is a great guy to help you get out there.  He has been my mentor on the salt, and has given me ALOT of great info to work with.  That and he's a very patient guy when it comes to newbies. 
Thanks again Jeff!   

I've been known to take a few newbies out on the ocean in my time.  I would add to what PolePole said by stating that how comfortable you are off your kayak in the ocean/surf is also very important.  You can be the best paddler in the world, but if your not ready to for a little swim in the surf you don't belong on the ocean.  Practicing your re-entries at Hagg is a great start and it sounds like you have a decent plan.  If you have any experience surfing, body boarding, or free diving that's a definite plus.

Brian

I'm watching this thread closely, as I look forward to the day I feel confident enough to try the salt. I think spanking a greenling off a nearshore rock is likely to be a religious experience.

I agree. Different people progress at different rates. It really depends on your current physical/mental condition and desire to make it happen.

The best thing is to get out with other more experienced people and ask questions.

Time in your boat and on the water, any water, is the best/only way to master your kayak skills and seamanship.

If you really want to make it happen this summer, you could. I would look at the BCU Star training/assessments, or Full Immersion Sea Kayak I & II at http://aldercreek.com/kayak-instruction/sea-kayak-classes.cfm

These classes are available out of the Portland and Bend shops. If those areas aren't convenient, let me know what is and I could recommend an instructor for your location.... if you are interested.

Classes can make it happen faster.....That's just my opinion.

Good luck!

NANOOK

I am a newb planning the same course of action.  I started a couple of months ago and my plan is to be on Puget Sound by the time salmon season opens mid-July.

In all of my training for various skill sets, both physical and mental, having a specific plan for each training "session" was extremely helpful.  If you have a specific plan for each trip you break the huge learning universe into manageable pieces.  You will waste little time figuring out what you should do.

One trip simply practice paddling, boat, handling, moving around on the boat, and reentry.  On another trip just practice casting and anchor management.  On another just troll.  Some people have a hard time steering with their feet and/or adjusting for wind, so do a trip on a windy day to practice rudder management.  

This systematic approach will also help you set up your boat.  You need to know how you will use your boat, what makes you comfortable, what makes you uncomfortable, from which side will you mostly fish, where/how to pee, how do you want to manage your rod and paddle while trolling, etc., where to put your FF/GPS, rod holders, anchor trolley, milk crate, tackle management.  

For example just figuring out how to use little bungees for my milk crate took a few trips (spread the hooks a little).  Every time I have been out I have learned something about setting up my PFD.  Yes, things as simple as where to put my pliers, whistle, knife, and glasses took some experimentation.  I have installed an anchor trolley, but I am still not certain where I will put the anchor line cleat.  For practice I've used an existing clam cleat on the boat and it showed me I don't want a clam cleat.

If you are going out every other day, your learning curve will be very quick if you break your training into specific, well-planned, manageable chunks.

Good luck, be safe, catch fish!

I started yak fishing last fall, and with the help of many on this forum, I have put my yak in waters that my power boat has never seen.  If and when you feel you are ready to hit the salt at PC, Jeff (Yakinitup) is a great guy to help you get out there.  He has been my mentor on the salt, and has given me ALOT of great info to work with.  That and he's a very patient guy when it comes to newbies.  
Thanks again Jeff!  

No prob! Glad to help!

Best thing I can throw in is pretty much what NANOOK just said. Try and get as much experience you can through being on the water, above everything else though make sure your situation is safe and manageable. There is a seemingly endless ammount of great info on this site to get you out there but I have found the place I learn the most is out on the water. Once you're comfortable on your boat in a lake environment, try and get out to the coast a few times on really small surf days to play in the surf for a little while with no gear except for your pfd. (By small, I would suggest a day of no bigger than 4 ft. and even then, You'll want someone on the shore too incase you get in over your head) Or, best idea is to try and tag along with some of the people on the site when the conditions are really nice. I have found that there is no shortage of people on this site willing to help out with getting people stated.

Good luck and hope to see you out there soon!

Thanks all for the input so far,

I ma selling off a few toys to make this happen - you get to collecting things, and they don't really contribute much to your everyday life other than saying to yourself "gosh, that is really, really neat, and I am never going to use it."

Hoping to have the kayak by the end of June.  And then, practice, practice, practice.

Let me know when you plan to be around Netarts getting your "feet wet" in the salt.  That is my home base on the coast and I would be happy to join you for some surf practice.

Okay, looks like I may have enough pennies saved by the end of the week to purchase the Outback.  Fingers crossed on that.

You wont be dissapointed with the outback, great all around boat.. If you ever get down this way i'd be glad to guide you out on the big blue

Thanks all for the encouragement so far.

One step closer.  Had to layaway for the Kayak, but in the process got a Hobie Livewell at dealer cost (NA had bought two, and up until me hadn't been able to sell it), and 10% off the sailing rudder and turbofin upgrades.

So, it looks like I will have a Hobie Outback w/ livewell, turbo and a fat rudder by the end of the month.

Cheers,
Madoc