New to Kayaking

Hello Everyone,

My name is Jose. I wanted to introduce myself. I am 38 years old and I've never used a kayak before. I've seen lots of youtube videos on kayak fishing and it looks like a lot of fun and also it looks like it can be dangerous at the same time. I've come here to learn as much as I can before I hit the water. I fish the delta and the bay mostly and sometimes at bay area reservoirs.

I was Recently was gifted a lifetime sport fisher kayak 100 with a trolling motor. My Buddy bought this kayak and never used it. He had to move and didn’t have the space for it, Asked me if I wanted it and I said sure why not. I was planning on taking the kayak to reservoirs like san pablo when it opens of course . I was also thinking of maybe taking the kayak to china camp area . I've never used a kayak before so I don't know where to start. I fish a lot of boats and the banks but never off a kayak it seems like a lot of fun. I read reviews about this kayak and it's not great from what i've read that this kayak doesn’t track well and it can be a problem in stronger currents and during windy conditions. I don't have a lot of money so I figured I could get my feet wet with this kayak and go from there. Any advice would be great. I know there are alot of things that I need to buy and also learn before I even consider hitting the water. I’ve read that this is a great group to ask questions.

I want to thank everyone for taking the time to give me any advice.

Welcome Jose to NCKA 

Be sure to check out the safety section and practice self rescue.

Welcome!  Let's fish!  See ya' on da wattah'

Welcome to our community Jose 

Welcome to NCKA, Jose.  My advice is to be a kayaker first, then an angler, and ditch the motor until you're proficient with kayaking.

 

Yeah buddy!  Ditch that motor...

Ditch the motor and kayak small lakes and protected areas first, until you are comfortable.   Ditch the motor, at least for now.   If it has a motor, then the kayak has to be registered.  When and if you register, say you just got the motor and only have to register now, or they will gouge you lots of back registration money.   Forget about fishing for the nonce and learn to control the kayak and self rescue.   I originally practiced at Shadow Cliffs near my house.   Had a very unstable kayak with a single occupant.  Stayed near the shore, So, I could drag the boat to shore, if I could not yet get back in.