I love wading at Del Rio and catching smallies and pikeminnow.  Hoping to explore more of it with in the Cuda 12 freshly acquired from a fellow forum member.

What're good places to launch (without a buddy and without a cart) on the Russian where I won't have to shuttle.  Monte Rio looks pretty good with pavement right to the launch.  I was at Steelhead today (on foot) and with a 70 lb SOT, I'd need a cart to get it all the way to the launch.

Also, anybody use a brush gripper?  Got a recommendation?

Recently bought this Cuda 12 from another forum member.  One issue identified at purchase time is that in the high position, the seat doesn't want to sit down in the front footwells.  In the low position it fits fine.

Pictures are at https://photos.app.goo.gl/ScnkvPLRJyT8wQZp7, but the movie (last image in this folder) shows exactly what I mean.  Is this normal?

I live in Sonoma County and I really want a boat.  In the short term I figure I'll be spending a lot of time in Spring Lake, chasing smallies on the Russian when it calms down, a little bit of time at Lake Sonoma or Clear Lake, and then maybe some road trips to some picturesque flatwater.  I mostly want to have a good time, explore water, and get comfortable paddling and fishing from a kayak.

Sure, I can foresee eventually wanting to get into Bodega Bay or Suisun Bay or the Napa-Sonoma Marshes, to chase rockfish, pile up crab traps, or hunt ducks.  Sometimes it might be nice to bring along my girlfriend, and maybe someday I'll bring a dog along.  But I don't want to try to buy the "perfect boat" now.  I want a simple, affordable boat that won't leave me disappointed.  I'll be loading and unloading it myself on a 2019 Subaru Outback.

Sometimes I think a used aluminum canoe would be a great fit here.  I'm kind of hard on gear and I like things that seem to thrive on neglect.

But, I probably will buy something new and something I gotta paddle instead of pedal (to minimize initial investment).  I have a sizable REI dividend, so something they carry would be a big plus.  If the Tarpon 120 was cheaper, it'd probably top my list.  Everyone has great things to say.  I wonder about the Pelican Catch Mode 110.  Will it be a dog if I want to paddle "way over there" on a bigger lake?

What should I be thinking about as I try to figure out how to spend my money here?

At Monterey Bay Kayaks a wetsuit and life vest are included. Pricing is very reasonable. Launch is easy.

Good to know, thanks!

  For the ocean and wintertime lakes at least a 3MM farmer John wetsuit is the minimum.

I reckon I'll be buying a farmer john soon.

Personally I wouldn't recommend folding kayaks. If you have a garage or storage area out of the sun, you have room for a kayak.

Yeah, I don't have either.  I'm an apartment dweller with absolutely no storage.

For now, I like the idea of renting.  It lets me try a lot of boats without having to store or care for anything.

Hi, all.  I fished a little bit as a kid growing up in the midwest, then hardly at all until this year.  This winter's rain convinced me that this is the summer to enjoy California on the water.  The whole thing has re-kindled my interest in hunting, fishing, and boating.  Prior to this, my favorite ways to spend time outdoors were mountain biking (crazy endurance stuff like http://tourdivide.org/), hiking, and backpacking.

So far this spring I've caught a few stocked trout from shore and spent a fair bit of time threatening surf perch from beach (tons of fun!) and pier (not as much).

I don't own a boat, but I am drawn to folding kayaks like Folbots and Kepplers.  And the recent Alpacka sale got me close a couple times.  Still, planning to avoid the hassle of owning and caring for one, but I do hope to rent a lot of boats this year.  Next up, I'd like to make a trip to Loch Lomond and rent a NuCanoe for the day.

The thing I'd most like to hear about is easy or cool trips that can be done with rented equipment, saltwater or fresh.  LL is a great example because you rent right at the lake and the boats seem pretty nice.

Matthew in Sunnyvale