Hi, I'm New Here

[West Coast Texan]

Hey guys, I just moved out here to Carlsbad from Dallas where my fishing had dwindled to about once a year when I could make it to the coast. It was mostly wading or pier fishing for reds and specs which was as easy as a spin caster and live shrimp.

Moving out here I'm excited to pick up kayak fishing, but I'm becoming painfully aware of how much I don't have, don't know, and don't know that I don't have. So I'm pretty much starting from scratch. Besides a kayak, life jacket, and paddle (which I'm still hunting for...) where do I start gear-wise? And what are the essentials to just get me out on the water and wetting lines?

Please note I'm probably the greenest as they come in these waters but want oh so badly to get out and start fighting some scaly monsters. Any help, thoughts, and sarcastic remarks are greatly appreciated.

[Raskal311]

Welcome!

[KDan]

Just picked up a kayak and joined the forum as well. I'm in Manhattan beach/San Pedro so if you want to come up and fish here I'll be going on Thursdays and Fridays on a regular basis. Santa Monica, redondo beach, white point in pv, Newport harbor... I'll be out there.

[Raskal311]

Yep grab a kayak and start with fishing the harbor. It's winter so fishing is slower but they are there. Harbor fishing will be similar to lake fishing.

[ful-rac]

Well you come to the right place TEX!




Now give up all your guns, lose the boots, stop saying ya'll, forget barbeque and embrace salad, buy a compact car that gets good mileage, heil governor Brown, and read the F&G rules on what you can't do here.


....And go stop by OEX for all your kayaking needs.

[octico]

^^^^ Just like he said ^^^^

[Mahigeer]

Welcome as well.

Hoping you are a Dallas Cowboys fan.

Welcome even if you are not.

[West Coast Texan]

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Well you come to the right place TEX!




Now give up all your guns, lose the boots, stop saying ya'll, forget barbeque and embrace salad, buy a compact car that gets good mileage, heil governor Brown, and read the F&G rules on what you can't do here.


....And go stop by OEX for all your kayaking needs.

No, never, couldn't if I wanted to, found my BBQ already (Coop's West TX BBQ in Lemon Grove makes me feel at home), had to sell the truck already, is there a salute I need to learn?, and I'm working on it, and OEX is on my list of to-dos.

Thanks for the welcome

[Harry Hill]

Originally Posted by West Coast Texan

No, never, couldn't if I wanted to, found my BBQ already (Coop's West TX BBQ in Lemon Grove makes me feel at home), had to sell the truck already, is there a salute I need to learn?, and I'm working on it, and OEX is on my list of to-dos.

Thanks for the welcome

the one finger salute works on the freeway

[Kayak_Bernie]

If you have a couple bass rods and some 3"-4" swimbaits and other lures for red fish, you can catch some spotted bay bass, I use spinners typically meant for redfish from time to time. Shoot me a PM later this week I may be going out to Mission Bay Saturday morning, you are more than welcome to tag along.