Yak Newbie

[DW46]

Hi folks. I'm coming down to Cedar Island from July 4th - 11th. I've fished the Surf City/Topsail/New River area in my tin can bass boat and I would love to try some saltwater Kayak fishing. I'm thinking of just getting a rental locally from GetOutdoors in Greensboro and bringing it down on top of my truck. I'm staying on the island with direct access to North Bay? (I think that's right) so putting in won't be a problem. Being new to this, I'll probably spend the first day paddling around in the shallows like a toddler in a kiddie pool getting used to the yak. I've looked around on the site and it sounds like my best fishing areas may be either the ferry landing area or perhaps the creeks/canals around the Hwy. 12 bridge. It's been MANY years since I've been to that area so all my info is from NC Angler and looking around on Google Earth. Being new to this I'd like to keep my paddling distances down to no more than a mile or two if possible. Looking for some reds, trout, flatfish, the usual stuff. Any info on any other good areas appreciated, ESPECIALLY any newbie yak tips, and I've got a funny feeling I'll be on here picking all your brains about which yak to BUY when I get back. LOL