my 1st kayak ever so where to start paddling

[Wetfeet]

Just got my 1st kayak, used, but new to me and found this site! Didn't realize there was a Bayou Kayaking Forum but i guess there is a forum for just about anything:blush:

Anyway I watched some youtube videos on kayaking this week and thought, I could do that :lol: So I bought one :smilegrin:

Live in Metairie and really planned on just paddling around Bayou St. John & Segnette, Bonnet Carre Spillway, The Pen area, Delacroix and would love to get wet in DesAlmends Too! The Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is a good place too but I really don't trust leaving my vehicle in that parking lot.



keepin' the feetwet.....

[Branch_Office]

Lots of good places even if you are looking to just paddle and not fish. Suggest you post up in the hook up section and usually someone will meet you or join in on a trip even just to paddle although most of us like to fish while paddling. My wife and I have made several just paddle trips here lately and really enjoyed them.

[yak-aholic]

Also, if you're just into paddling, you could check out Bayou Haystackers Paddle Club. They seem to do quite a few day trips and some over nighters as well.:welcome:

[Wetfeet]

Heck yeah, I have a pole :buttrock: Looks up the hook up section. Is this where I can hook some?

[Branch_Office]

First I thought you meant hook someone and I was excited and going to give you a few names then I reread it ....oh well one can only hope. The hook up section is where we post if we are looking for company on an outing. There is someone fishing just about every day of the week here and this is a method to meet people and learn new areas by "hooking up" and being safe in numbers.

[Wetfeet]

Yeah Branch I can see where numbers are safer while kayaking, hopefully by the end of next week the numbers will start adding up. But it's so dang hot lately I guess early morn till 10am or after 4pm would be better times to face Mother Nature's Hot Breath.

Just looked up those outcsat events, are they open events or for membership paying "Club" members only?

[Branch_Office]

Yes, I think most are going for about daylight and finishing up about 10-11. When I am at my camp I like to go back out about 4 and go till dark thirty. Not crazy about doing that anywhere else and only when I am spending the night and do not have to drive back home.

[marshdaddy]

Head to Magnolia. There are so many people fishing there, you should be able to hook up with someone on almost any given day. Short paddle to the fishies.

[Razoryak]

Yeah Branch I can see where numbers are safer while kayaking, hopefully by the end of next week the numbers will start adding up. But it's so dang hot lately I guess early morn till 10am or after 4pm would be better times to face Mother Nature's Hot Breath.

Just looked up those outcsat events, are they open events or for membership paying "Club" members only?


Outcast events are open to anyone...especially Outcasts

[skywalker]

hey wet feet i also live in metairie. might be going out sat send me a pm as i will be alone

[Branch_Office]

Yes open to anyone and everyone is invited at any given gathering!

[Wetfeet]

Head to Magnolia. There are so many people fishing there, you should be able to hook up with someone on almost any given day. Short paddle to the fishies.
Short paddle to the fishies eh, I'm gonna have a look at where magnolia is located from Metairie.


hey wet feet i also live in metairie. might be going out sat send me a pm as i will be alone
Ur in met. Cool beans! This weekend is not good for me but later in the week I'll pm to see how things are on your end.

[Wetfeet]

Well I finally got a chance to get my yak back into the water this evening (my 2nd time ever in a yak) and brought some poles a tackle box and anchor. I just went to Bayou St. John and it was windy so I figured i would get a chance to see how clumsy I do fishing from a yak in the wind. Well, I'd cast and get blown to the bank then paddle back out and get blown to the bank again. It was like I got 1 cast then had to reposition myself for the next cast, it was just terrible! ( I wanted my trolling motor, hehehe) But then I used my trusty 7 lb. window weight/anchor trolley system and it was like night and day, I could position just how i wanted and make many casts :) !
There are a few more things I'd like such as a pocket onside my chair for scissors pliers and such and I need some sort of clamp for all the excess anchor rope that cluttered the 'deck'. Now I just have to see how I hold up on long paddles against the winds or tides. but hey, so far this yakfishing is enjoyable.:buttrock:

[Branch_Office]

Every trip is a learning experience and it sounds like you are on the right track. There was a thread in the last week that addressed different holders for rope and things to use for that problem. See if you can find it and refer to some of the suggestions in regards to holding the rope.

[Joker]

Welcome!
Post a pic of your kayak and we would love to give you some tips on rigging.
Like Steve said, just last week we had a post going on anchors/anchor trolleys.