I vacation on Santa Rosa Is in Fl each year. This year I am taking my kayaks. I will fish the sound but I also want to fish the surf. I have some questions.
Is it done?
What about sharks?
How do you get you fish to shore after you land them ( see question above)?
How far out is sane?
I will use my 12 wt. But what about really big fish? Fight them or break them off?
Jon
Jon, I am a rookie with the kayak, some members might chime in. If not please go to [url=http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee/forums:45a68]http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee/forums[/url:45a68] They have all your answers.
Try to go with someone
leave your trip plan with someone
PFD with whistle attached
radio
gps
Knife
compass
paddle leash
Make sure you have tried reentry in the yak and feel good doing it.
Know your limitations
Good luck and enjoy
Philip
[This message has been edited by old geezer (edited 07 April 2006).]
It’s a different coast, but many of the same issues are discussed there, so I’d suggest posting your question on [url=http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com.:9c85c]www.texaskayakfisherman.com.[/url:9c85c] Lots of yakers down here, and we fish both sides of the barrier islands, so you’ll find some surf kayak fishers who can answer your questions.
Don’t know Santa Rosa but here are some general answers.
Sharks, well I’ll pass on that. In general I do not believe sharks hassel kayaks as kayaks represent a pretty large fish, but this answer is a guess.
I use a Sit In Kayak and place my keep behind my seat. I put the head in first, so it is furthest away from me.
How far out depends on current, wind and weather conditions, not to mention your strength, endurance and ability. Always take appropriate safety equipment.
Really big fish can be a problem. If your tippet or break off strength is too high you might not be able to break off. The fish might just give you a Nantucket sleigh ride for some distance. For that reason I do not use heavy tippet unless I am willing to take a good ride. Unfortunately that has not been an issue for me. Most of my rides have ended before the distance was significant. Towing a 200+ lb. (average body weight and kayak weight) package through the water is a chore for most fish.
If you are asking questions like this your basic common sense is probably sufficent to keep you out of trouble.
Additional Kayak Safety equipment:
Pump (fir Sit In Kayaks)
Paddle Floatation
Compass
GPS (optional)
Whistle / horn
life jacket
rope (for a tow)
paddle leash
Anchor or drift sock
jed
There is a checklist which you might find useful on this site [url=http://www.kayakfishinguk.co.uk/Kayak%20List.html:81d50]http://www.kayakfishinguk.co.uk/Kayak%20List.html[/url:81d50]
JME
@===----?----?----?
Member [url=http://www.ukbass.com:81d50]www.ukbass.com[/url:81d50]
[url=http://jamiercgriff.blogspot.com:81d50]http://jamiercgriff.blogspot.com[/url:81d50]
I’ve only caught really big fish from my kayak a couple of times.
All I wanted to do was take a picture, release it, and get another 
Friends don’t let friends drive gas hogs
By all means, take the kayak and launch off the beach. Gulf waves are not to high unless there are high winds or a recent storm. You should have no problems with the surf.
Two things about sharks. 1. don’t keep your catch on a stringer in the water and 2. if you know one is around, be careful landing your catch. I’ve seen sharks attack tarpon right beside the boat. Just be ready to break or cut off your catch before the shark gets to it. Otherwise, sharks are no threat to a kayaker.
You are going to be seriously overgunned with a 12 wt. Any fish you need a 12 wt on is probably too big unless you have experience and a buddy close by. If you must, make sure you have your PFD on, a drag chute deployed and a knife at the ready.
Other questions. Store your fish in a cool bag. I think you can get a cheap on at Walmart. I don’t think there is really any advantage to going more than 1/2 mile of the beach in the gulf. There are plenty of fish in that range and nothing much different till you get a few miles off, which is two far.
Don’t forget you need a fishing liscense to fish out of a kayak and make sure you have the required equipment PFD, whistle and flashlight. I would also make sure to take a radio or cell phone.
One good site for info is
[url=http://www.paddle-fishing.com:88218]www.paddle-fishing.com[/url:88218]
There was a recent discussion on tarpon fishing you might want to read. Also check out:
[url=http://www.gianttarpon.com/sharkbroad.htm:88218]http://www.gianttarpon.com/sharkbroad.htm[/url:88218]
[This message has been edited by dunfly (edited 08 May 2006).]
jonbob,
You’ll no doubt be in water over your head at times so practice getting back in your kayak from deep water. They sell stirrups that will help tremendously and a float that goes on the blade of your kayak paddle. Then the paddle is fastened securely to your kayak. Sort of a make-shift outrigger to keep your kayak from rolling over on you when you try to get back in or on.
Can’t be too careful and to reiterate what’s been said a couple of times … fish with a buddy. If you don’t have one going with you, put your name out on the forums. You may just wind up with a make-shift fishing guide … 
.