I fish from a kayak around kelp beds a lot. Try using a big plastic like Big Hammers - 5 or 6 inches - with 1.5 oz leadhead. the single hook will allow you to free snags in the kelp more easily than fishing with a Krocodile or jig that have trebble hooks. Just throw the plastic out near kelp, let it sink mid-colunm for Calicos or the bottom for Halibut and wind in. Pretty easy. Remember to wind down on bites, then set the hook.

Use a stiff rod (I use a Terramar 7'6" with fast action and like that rod a lot for kelp fishing) with fast to very fast action with line anywhere from 12 - 20 lbs.