Caliyak

I just sent you a pm with a website to search. Big so-cal angler following.

My top 2: Vallejo CA to get the northern pigs Ventura CA to get the southern pigs

Taco, upgrade your reel and rod. Buy another set up for more options. Get a good cheap baitcaster to learn. Take your time and be patient. You will make mistakes at first but you will improve. I recommend any baitcaster under 75 bucks and get a $40 rod. No need to get expensive stuff. If you don't like it, no big waste and sell it to me for $50. LOL

I have a cheap Shimano baitcaster that lasted 10 years of abuse and I still use from time to time. No need to upgrade. When the reels are no longer salvageable, then upgrade or replace. But in 10 years, you will be looking at self casting reels. LOL

If the combos are still going strong, why upgrade? I love my black Max. I will not upgrade but buy another. My go to reel is the curado I. All my spinning reels are shimano. I will stick with these two brands.

Is your wife going with you? If yes, kayak. If not, kayak. LOL

Went Cod fishing with my son. After fishing with a 1 pound weight, I will never complain about a 1 oz swimbait ever again. It was our first time. I learned a lot but it's more tiring than bass fishing. We did well. The whole boat, 30 people, hit our limit in two hours. Pieces of chovie at about 170 feet. The lady next to me caught a 9lb ling cod. I saw a guy use the Big Hammer swimbait and I might be getting me some. Them are some sweet plastics. Now, fish and chips.

You said you like the silver, why change? Go get another. The black is also good. Your comfort and peace of mind is more important than a brand. As for poles, use what you are confident with. I see no reason, for me, to buy anything but Berkley poles.

That worm is on some good meth. LOL

Sure, if you don't like it, sell it. If this is your first, good yak to learn on.

Two other great Berkley rods; Cherrrywood and, of course, the Shock.

Fly out to Cali, meet me at the beach and I will gladly show you. LOL

I use a 4lb sledge hammer

Go with the black Max. I use it for everything and it handles just fine. You can upgrade later when you get comfortable and confident.

Berkley Shock

I fish with two or three rods. But, that came by going out on my yak and finding what I like and need. I would recommend the same. Buy your yak, take 2 rods to start and then adjust. The most important, have fun.

After all my research, plaster of Paris molds are the cheapest.

I'm purchasing alumilite mold pack to make my own worm mold. I will be cutting up and melting senkos and shim e sticks that have salt in them. When I melt, do I resalt or not? How about the glitter?

Fish finder and my peanut butter jars. The jars hold my wallet, keys and phone.

My only tips; have fun and be thankful that you're not walking the banks.

4 boxes; plastics, cranks, jigs/spinners/chatter, hooks/weights/accessories Keep it simple.

Cali sun is brutal

If the striker does not have the trax system, a great investment. You can add fish finder and rod holders to the trax. Limit the number of holes on the yak. Congrats and have fun.

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=62619606 This is the 10 footer but they have the 12. There is the angler version which is more. The perception pescadors are the same as the Wilderness System Tarpons. Perception also has the Ride version which is called Striker. Not the same but similar. I believe you can stand on the Striker.

Go with the Talon sot. But, look at the perception pescador instead. A better boat, in my opinion, that you can get from Dicks.