Anacapa Island - A 15 mile Journey

[aren_denman]

Spring break is coming, that means fishing trip!
Me and a friend plan on kayaking to Anacapa Island from March 17th - 27th. We will launch from preferably Point Magu, Oxnard, or Ventura. Roughly a 10-15 mile journey depending on daily currents. We are well aware of the danger of this trip, and the weather during this month of March, EL NINO BABY!

THIS IS OUR FIRST LONG DISTANCE KAYAKING JOURNEY.

I am making this post to pick the brains of any people who have done similar trips. My name is Aren Denman and my brother in arms Ian Bayrak have been kayak fishing our whole lives. I am not saying 15 miles is easy, buts its not hard either. Our biggest fear is currents. We have no motor on board just our manpower, which renders us useless against heavy current, timing and planning will be vital.

Some safety precautions and gear - satellite phone and vhf radio, surplus food & water rations, contacting coast guard before and after, GPS and water navigation, and of course a mirror and lighter fuel (day and night rescue).

Questions: Best launch spot this time of year? Suggestions about the island itself? Tips for predicting weather patterns and currents? Which satellite or vhs radio to buy?