Kayak Noob Here

[82ndAbnRVN]

Just bought my first kayak - Jackson Coosa Yakattack.

 

Would like to hear from those with experience:

 

Recommended fishing life vest (any comments on the waist PFDs. .. do you trust them?)

 

Do you go out alone or with buddies?

 

What's good for a complete novice ... any easy in & out paddling spots to get me started?

 

Any mentors?

 

Thanks!

[Rusty]

If you're just looking to paddle around a lake for experience you're welcome to come by us.  We live in a small lake community with a 1/2 mile long lake that's nice for kayaks and canoes.  

[82ndAbnRVN]

If you're just looking to paddle around a lake for experience you're welcome to come by us.  We live in a small lake community with a 1/2 mile long lake that's nice for kayaks and canoes.  

That's an awesome offer - let me get a paddle and vest and I think I'll take you up on that. Thanks!

[Rusty]

Sounds good.  The Wallkill River is another good spot for beginners.

 

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Wallkill_River/visit/canoe.html

[82ndAbnRVN]

Sounds good.  The Wallkill River is another good spot for beginners.

 

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Wallkill_River/visit/canoe.html

More good info ... I'm gonna enjoy this.

 

As a big inner I have a big concern about getting back to my point of origin / paddling upstream.

[Buck154]

Kayaks are easy to paddle. As long as you have any balance you won't have a problem. I keep a vest in a crate behind me. I don't wear it.

[Rusty]

More good info ... I'm gonna enjoy this.

 

As a big inner I have a big concern about getting back to my point of origin / paddling upstream.

 

The Wallkill is slow enough that you can paddle upstream.  Start your trip by going upstream as far as you feel like, then going back is easy.  Or if you have a buddy you can bring 2 cars and leave 1 car at your pull out point.   

[Haskell_Hunter]

The Wallkill is slow enough that you can paddle upstream.  Start your trip by going upstream as far as you feel like, then going back is easy.  Or if you have a buddy you can bring 2 cars and leave 1 car at your pull out point.   

 

Wallkill flows like a lake.  You can barely tell the water is moving.

[82ndAbnRVN]

Wallkill it is, then. My only buddies are way, way South.

[Rusty]

 

Hey. I got my Perception Pescador 12 last year and took it out a about half a dozen times. One thing I learned was take it out without any permanent upgrades and make sure you want a rod holder or or anchor trolley on that side or position before you permanently attach it.  I'm always looking for someone to go out but I only have off work Wed/Thurs. So far I've  only checked out Round Valley and Manasquan Reservoir but want to check more out.  As far as a paddle I went with Bending Branches Angler Ace. The life vest is Field & Stream Fishing Life Vest. Its ok for $50. They have some nicer ones for double the price. I have a Milk Crate with a Shoreline Marine Propel Ultimate Kayak Bag around it. It holds all my tackle and tools well. I put an Anchor trolley, a Scotty Rod holder, and a Garmin 5DV fish finder on it. I use a TMS cart if I need to wheel it long distances. 

 

Some good advice right there.    

[hiking]

put the lifevest on.

[Rusty]

Another good resource is njhiking.com  they have a kayaking section on their site.

 

http://www.njhiking.com/kayaking-nj/

 

 

Hope I don't get banned for posting links to other sites.  

 

Oh wait, wrong site.  

[rgw]

man up and go to scutters falls just above trenton on the delaware, you will see a ton of people kayaking there. you will learn real quick if you got it or not, lol lol jk dont make that your first trip

[Rusty]

man up and go to scutters falls just above trenton on the delaware, you will see a ton of people kayaking there. you will learn real quick if you got it or not, lol lol jk dont make that your first trip

 

Skinner's Falls and the Mongaup are good for that too.    

 

But not your first time out 82nd.  

[RPK0620]

ALWAYS wear your life vest.

If you go overboard, for whatever reason it may help until you regain your composure particularly if you happened to hit your head on the way over.

Or, if for no other reason, something dire does happen, your body will float and they won't have to drag the water looking for you.