Welcome to the forums
Congrats on the kayak. Kayak fishing can be very addicting. All it takes is a few good fish and the simplicity of it and most are hooked in short order. I like to use plastics unless it's sandie or halibut time for dinner or fish tacos.
Do you fish mainly Newport or is just where you ended up this time? A few of us here live in Orange County so we fish it pretty frequently and welcome company. I tend to fish alot in the evenings because of less boat traffic. TC&TL,
Perry