Any advice for a newb with a kayak?

[Ken Lyons]

I would stay away from rivers with current like the Delaware until you don't need the advice. Even the P can leave you in a difficult position and don't go alone if you can avoid it. Wear your PFD. With experience you can fish Raritan Bay and even the ocean. By then you will learn about the wind. Stick with smaller lakes and ponds at first.
Good luck. Most of the kayak guys I know used to own boats but wouldn't go back.

[gwl2oneida]

Just stalk skunkcity, Rob spends more time in a kayak than some guys spend commuting in their cars.

[XXlyakattacker]

You have the main ingredient to kayak fishing and that's a SOT kayak. You won't look like a dog with worms trying to clean it's ass when launching or become the next kayak death story because you bought a cheap toy (sit inside) and tried to make a redneck bass boat out of it. Good research.The Delaware is where you go when you know what your doing, not learning. Unless you have access to a large slow moving section. I would definitly get some sort of electronics. Will be selling my lowrance lms 522c unit to upgrade after the sesson. I will add more before 9-1.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Not into Kayaking but let me give you some advise from a boaters perspective.

If you plan to fish it in the salt water I would suggest you have a flag kit installed so when you dip down between waves boaters can still see you.

For this same reason I would avoid areas where there is a lot of boat traffic like channels and thoroughfares to marinas. If you do decide to venture into these areas expect to get waked. You need to expect that boats in these areas will be running at speed and will not slow down to avoid waking you even if they see you.

I would not venture out on the salt alone. Things can change in a hurry with wind and tide shifts and it's much easier for boaters to see multiple Kayaks then it is one. If you do decide to venture out alone, make sure someone on land knows what your intentions are and what time to expect you back.

I'd also suggest you have a waterproof handheld VHF radio in case you need to radio for help.

[acabtp]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

You need to expect that boats in these areas will be running at speed and will not slow down to avoid waking you even if they see you.

i prefer people not slow down. it's way worse when the idiots think they are doing you a favor come off of plane but don't actually slow to a no-wake speed so they throw you a huge displacement size wake instead of the much smaller planing wake.

[bubbasdad]

Me and my brother have been kayak fishing for a few years, here's some advice from my experience:

1. PFD- ALWAYS on, not worth the risks for some unrestricted movement
2. Flag kit- especially if going into the salt or any other big water
3. don't rig it or drill/cut any holes to rig it until you've fished it a couple times...sometimes what you think is the perfect spot for a rod holder or fishfinder placement ends up being far from optimal once you're on the water
4. use duct seal to mount your transducer inside the hull, works like a charm, and is removable...depending on where you fish, and how much water comes in, you may be able to get away with routing the wires through a hatch or something, without drilling

I fish mainly sweetwater with my kid in my 2 person hobie, and my brother sticks mainly to the salt, can help you out with rigging advice if you need it....the toughest hole to drill is the first one, so make sure its in the right spot, lol

[ScowardNJ]

Start off with 2 beers on your first trip, then gradually work your way up with experience. Always remember where you parked your car. Some fish have teeth so have a roll of electric tape washing around in the water in your hull to stop the bleeding, duct seal works in a pinch. When you see a boat, flag them down and ask for a tow, it's way easier than paddling. When your ass bone goes numb from sitting too long, its a good time to practice "in water re-entry" to get some sensation back. Avoid dropping pissed off pickerel on the pile of lures laying on the deck between your legs. If your surf launching, bring a helmet for the ride back in when you fail miserably at attempting to ride a wave back into shore and drive your head into the sand bottom in 6" of water. Get cell phone insurance.

[acabtp]

Originally Posted by ScowardNJ

Start off with 2 beers on your first trip, then gradually work your way up with experience. Always remember where you parked your car. Some fish have teeth so have a roll of electric tape washing around in the water in your hull to stop the bleeding, duct seal works in a pinch. When you see a boat, flag them down and ask for a tow, it's way easier than paddling. When your ass bone goes numb from sitting too long, its a good time to practice "in water re-entry" to get some sensation back. Avoid dropping pissed off pickerel on the pile of lures laying on the deck between your legs. If your surf launching, bring a helmet for the ride back in when you fail miserably at attempting to ride a wave back into shore and drive your head into the sand bottom in 6" of water. Get cell phone insurance.

Lol nice

[Andrushkin33]

Originally Posted by ScowardNJ

Start off with 2 beers on your first trip, then gradually work your way up with experience. Always remember where you parked your car. Some fish have teeth so have a roll of electric tape washing around in the water in your hull to stop the bleeding, duct seal works in a pinch. When you see a boat, flag them down and ask for a tow, it's way easier than paddling. When your ass bone goes numb from sitting too long, its a good time to practice "in water re-entry" to get some sensation back. Avoid dropping pissed off pickerel on the pile of lures laying on the deck between your legs. If your surf launching, bring a helmet for the ride back in when you fail miserably at attempting to ride a wave back into shore and drive your head into the sand bottom in 6" of water. Get cell phone insurance.

Best advice ever.

Andre

[FASTEDDIE29]

Originally Posted by ScowardNJ

Start off with 2 beers on your first trip, then gradually work your way up with experience. Always remember where you parked your car. Some fish have teeth so have a roll of electric tape washing around in the water in your hull to stop the bleeding, duct seal works in a pinch. When you see a boat, flag them down and ask for a tow, it's way easier than paddling. When your ass bone goes numb from sitting too long, its a good time to practice "in water re-entry" to get some sensation back. Avoid dropping pissed off pickerel on the pile of lures laying on the deck between your legs. If your surf launching, bring a helmet for the ride back in when you fail miserably at attempting to ride a wave back into shore and drive your head into the sand bottom in 6" of water. Get cell phone insurance.

Words of wisdom right here! LMAO!!!