Kayak fishing newbie

 Personal taste aside, you'd be miserable in something like that here in the NW.  You are always going to be dealing with wind in some way or another... consider it the cost of the beautiful landscape.  That canopy would become your sail.  If you are digging the whole motorized aspect check out the OK Torque, a BassYak's conversion, or a Hobie with a Mirage drive.  The latter has a strong following for many good reasons and you don't have to deal with lugging a motor and battery around.

The water doesn't ice-over here on the western side of the state during the winter like you may be used to in the midwest.  The temps are more moderate as well (upper 30's-low 40's) allowing for year round fishing opportunities.  The biggest challenge you are going to experience here as compared to warmwater species fishing in Illinois and possibly Wyoming is the gin clear water.

I was thinking the same thing about the canopy on the boat. I could see the wind ripping that thing hard. I was just checking out the OK Torque and that looks really cool. I like how the motor is integrated and easily removable. I'm glad to hear I can fish all year long and I'm looking forward to that. As far as fishing clear water, I have plenty of experience in that. I lived in Wyoming near Yellowstone for the last 8 years and did a lot of trout fishing. Probably some of the best trout fishing in the country with Rainbows and Cutthroats in the area running between 5-15lbs in many places.

No worries FFTW  I guess I will add a qualifier to my previous statement: if you choose to forgo classes you should pair up with someone your first couple times out on the water and I would strongly suggest you don't just venture out into the salt or congested waters until you get quite a few strokes under your belt regardless.

Other than Nanook's adventures to the north and Adventure's through Kayaking (ATK) to the west, I'm not aware of any SOT based kayaking courses in the area.  (REI has one but it is May each year during their demo days).  The guys in OR have more support for our community than we do up here.  I would have suggested Aqua Sports in Redmond, but that guy pissed me off recently.  The elitist sea kayaker community pretty much dominate the paddle shops up here.  I personally think the most important thing you're going to get out of a class is how to save your own ass... it is a different technique for a SOT than a SINK.  I'll show you how to do that for free.

Buy a copy of "The complete kayak fisherman" and go from there... http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Kayak-Fisherman-Ric-Burnley/dp/1580801471

Oh man. Some day I will show you guys things that will change your kayaking life forever. There are soooo many things. I did show a 180 turn with a single static stroke in the T-15 and got the reply "why would I ever want to do that?" Geez I don't know, do you just paddle strait out to sea and never come back? Do you ever have trouble turning in the wind?......so maybe you guys just want to keep sweating it out, I don't know

**BTW: Jason posted before I did and I am neither berating nor endorsing his course as I have not seen him teach.

boy oh boy are you missing some great action!

Oh man. Some day I will show you guys things that will change your kayaking life forever. There are soooo many things. I did show a 180 turn with a single static stroke in the T-15 and got the reply "why would I ever want to do that?" Geez I don't know, do you just paddle strait out to sea and never come back? Do you ever have trouble turning in the wind?......so maybe you guys just want to keep sweating it out, I don't know

If we wanted easy we would have bought powerboats   I'm sure I'm lacking in finesse and technique... but at least I'm having fun doing it the hard way.

I do everything brute force.  I like it that way.   

I do everything brute force.  I like it that way.   

The Big Hammer, Hard Bang (BHHB) school of life?

I'm sure I'm lacking in finesse and technique... but at least I'm having fun doing it the hard way.

And that what counts the most!!!  And oh ... extra style points for looking good while doing it.

-Allen

I do everything brute force.  I like it that way.   

The Big Hammer, Hard Bang (BHHB) school of life?

It really depends.  When it's a physical activity, I just brute force it.  But when it comes to decisions, thinking, finances, etc., I generally try to use patience and think things through really well.  MOST of the time   

Welcome slick.  Approaching the sport from a fisherman's point of view, I have to recommend the Hobie as well.  Stability and peddle drive will free you up to do what you do best - fish.  Say hi to Monica for me.

And BTW, nice picture Spot.  Is it December yet?

I'll definitely check out the Hobie Kayaks. The OC Torque looks nice but I'm not sure I want shell out $2000 for a Kayak.

I'll definitely check out the Hobie Kayaks. The OC Torque looks nice but I'm not sure I want shell out $2000 for a Kayak.

Hobie's run about the same once you include a cart, turbo fins, and a sailing rudder.  Join the rest of us cheap a$$'s who paddle    Jammer is selling his T13 brand new for cheap; you'd be a fool not to take advantage of that.  Otherwise start checking CL for used Hobies w/ mirage drives.

I do everything brute force.  I like it that way.   

Lee,
there's a new employer for you to check out, then. they're called Brute Force Cybernetics. it's the company that creates a need, then fills it for you...

Otherwise start checking CL for used Hobies w/ mirage drives.

just make sure you check to see if it's stolen or not before plunking down your money.

Welcome to the 4-um d00d!

I was raised up in Wyoming. I was located in Douglas and I made it out your way around once a year for some camping with my dad.
Good to see you made it out to the coast; you will not be disappointed by the fishing here! The input previously given is 'nuff said! Have fun!