Greenling might be the perfect eating fish. Fun to catch, tastier and more crab like meat than ling, and fillets out perfectly every time.
I've got the cheapest 7ft Ugly Stick and ocean reel possible for kayak fishing. Around here it's not a question of if but when you'll go over on a sit on top like mine launching or landing. Don't want to shed any tears losing gear. Current set up has lasted 10 years or so and has killed thousands of dollars worth of fish. Probably the most cost efficient fishing gear I own.
warble: I had something like this:
Always on when going through the surf. But yeah, nothing expensive when kayak fishing!