Newbie Intro

Hi

My name is Irfan and I am from the Bellevue area. I am completely new to kayak fishing, and just last week I got my Kaskazi Dorado II.  So far I have gone to a kayak fishing trip to an estuary around the Westport area with a friend, and did some fishing over the weekend using my kayak on my own—both days on the Rattlesnake lake! I think I am in love with kayak fishing and I am really enjoying it! 

I am primarily a fly fisherman and before that I occasionally did some surf fishing.  However, I have also bought a spin rod/reel setup for the kayak.

I would like to fish the lakes, but more importantly I want to learn to fish the Sound.  I have taken a basic kayaking class, but as a newbie I am a bit scared to go out on my own to the salt.  So, if any of you don’t mind taking a newbie along with you, then please let me know. 

I have the following major accessories, and please let me know if there are any important items that are missing from the list:

Carbon Paddle
Kayak Cart
Fisherman’s PFD
Rod Leash
Paddle Leash
Bilge Pump
Dry Suit
Primary Spin Rod/Reel: 7’ 12-20 lb. test, ¾ to 2 oz. lures / Shimano Stradic 6000 FI
Primary Fly Rod/Reel: 7’ 11” Largemouth Bass Rod and Line
Boga Grip
Saltwater Knife
VHF: Cobra HH375 (just ordered)
Anchor: I am working on making my own with a 3 lb. neoprene-covered dumbbell—I couldn’t find a 3-lb mushroom anchor.
Fish Finder and GPS: I’ll research and get something next year

I am also attaching a picture of my kayak—it was taken when the DII had just arrived.

Thanks
Irfan

 

Welcome to the other side, Irfan.. sure we fly fish here too, and you'll find this group much more polite than the WFF crowd.

totally envy you your DODO... thats one gorgeous boat, and it doesnt have peddles. 

look up our other DODO owner, Tomas, for a few pointers.
[WR]

Thank you WR!

Yes, WFF can be a very rough place if you say the “wrong” thing.

I know Tomas--he was very kind to let me try out his kayak before I ordered it.

Irfan

Welcome to the forum and to the addiction.  From your list of items it seems you have jumped in with both feet.  Good looking yak.  You might want to check out a folding anchor and the "bsteve's anchor system".  How are you transporting your yak?

Actually, most of the time and under non-extreme conditions, Puget Sound is basically a big salt water lake.  The largest swells are from tankers in the shipping lanes.  Except in the smaller inlets and passages currents are benign.  A good place to launch for a newbie in Bellevue could be Shilshole, Edmonds, or West Seattle/Alki.  For your first few launches I'd find easy access from boat ramp or unobstructed beach.  Does your cart have balloon tires?  There are still some pink salmon running in the sound.  Grab a couple pink 2" buzz bombs and hit the salt on a gentle day.

Welcome Irfan, a nice looking boat indeed.  I am also new to the sport and so far have ventured out only on the Hood Canal.  Demonick is quite correct......most days the Sound is like a huge lake....sometimes glass, mostly minor chop.  In my powerboating days I saw it rear its teeth only once.....a coincidental thunderstorm/squall during a big tide change turned Rich Passage into something akin to the infamous "Potato Patch" outside the Golden Gate.  To be honest, I worry far more about my rig being messed with when I am out on the water, than the water itself.  There are more than a few posts here regarding that unfortunate trend.....

Let me know how things go for you!

Thank you both.

demonick: My cart is Mini Wheeleez with balloon tires.  For transporting, I got a great deal on a little used Hullavator from Craigslist, and I love using it.

mtom938: That's a beautiful rig!  I would be worried too if I had one.  I have a green 2002 Freelander.

Nice yak!

Welcome to the site. I recently purchased my kayak as well and I understand your instantaneous addiction.

Excellent choice on the Wheeleez.  I should have done more research before I bought mine (C-tug) as I have launched from some softer beaches (ie Twanoh State Park) that have done it in.  Tires just not quite wide enough, dagnabbit. 

Excellent choice on the Wheeleez.  I should have done more research before I bought mine (C-tug) as I have launched from some softer beaches (ie Twanoh State Park) that have done it in.  Tires just not quite wide enough, dagnabbit. 

If you are going to want to launch from unimproved beaches, I wonder if you could replace just the tires.  Otherwise, I'd suggest you bite the bullet now on a Wheelez, and sell the C-tug on Craigslist. 

Greetings, Irfan! Nice yak! I'll bet you look even better in that than you did in my Ultimate 12.

I put my friend's 18 year old son, who is one of my fishing buddies, in the mini-drifter, and he managed to row it all the way up about a quarter mile above where we went. He's an experienced rower, but he had difficulty keeping that thing going in a straight line at first, too.  Then, fishing our way back downstream, we hit a fresh pod of cutts in the same corner/logjam hole where I C&R'd my nice one while you were still upstream. We got two 14"-15"ers each before we spooked the fish into clamming up and hiding, and of course we let 'em go.
My buddy caught his on flies he tied up that morning! His own pattern, even!

Yes Jim, that was great fun!  I would love to do that again.

Irfan

Yes Jim, that was great fun!  I would love to do that again.

Irfan

Let me know when you are thinking of heading out this way. I might be fishing either the Willapa River (trolling for salmon, also anchoring and casting for them) or the Elk estuary (for the awesome yak touring and sometimes halfway-decent cutt fishing, if you know where to find 'em) again next week, starting Tuesday or Wedn.

Hmmmm. I might sneak up that creek again, or head back into the Elk estuary on the last push of the tide this afternoon.
 Cancelled yesterday after the overcast looked like it was thinning out, and worked on my fence. I also changed and/or retied the leaders on my fly lines, and busted out my 8 wt and strung it up and made sure it was ready to take with me for any salmon I might run into. Supposed to be more cloud cover and (hopefully) some drizzle here later this morning. My kind of weather!
Back to the rack, perchance to dream of big Kings and leaping, tail-dancing Coho!!

I'm also new and planning to go out Sunday morning from shilshoe area. PM me if you are interested.

Welcome Irfan, very pretty boat!  Sounds like you have nice gear too.  Well you are welcome to join me if you come this way, the Strait is no lake but it has it's moments.  Like yesterday.

Wellcome Irfan. Very nice yak. I am in Milwaukie Or if your down this way with your yak let me know and I will show you around the Willy. You will find that the guys on this site are great!!!!