Kayak Crabbing with a 3 y/o

I've done it.  One time when she was about 5 we went out in a tandem in building seas with a SCA issued.  Every time a large swell would roll through she would get excited and yell "here's another one!" and I would turn into it.  She was giddy and still talks about how fun that particular trip was.  This was in Trinidad harbor with 2 other kayakers and numerous small boats around.  She did like going out back then but has other interests now that occupy her time.

You won't get the years back.  If you have had her on a kayak dozens of times and she likes it, if you have proper immersion gear and have trained with her on re-entry on the boat you intend to take out, if you have caught hundreds of crab on the gear you are running and know it like the back of your hand, and if you have a safety partner in a different kayak or on a power boat, then go for it.  I'd stick to Doran, Tomales can get shit mixed quick.

Transitions are the most dangerous aspect of yakfishing, whether:

*loading/reloading boat, take your eyes off the kid for split second in parking lot
*surf entry/ exit, EVERYONE has yardsaled at some point, both going out and coming in
*calm to building seas, pull the plug before conditions require and before ur guest calls quits, not only after you are satisfied

Crawl walk run, and best of luck with the trip. 

Sounds like a great adventure to me!

I had Valentina on my little BigYak at that age, and once I won the T15 up at GS4 we went out a fair amount together...she was 4 at that time.

This was probably our most memorable trip at that age, and of course the big one got away 

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=26842.0

Hope you all have a safe, fun time and look forward to seeing pics and the report!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Sounds like you know the ocean well and can judge conditions. As others have said Doran is usually very protected on everything but south swells and south winds. Inside the harbor at HMB might be another option - just stay away from the boating lanes. Rock crab are probably more likely but it would be a safe environment for a first outing. Launch from the old pier and you won't have to get close to the boating lanes.

Cheers,
Brad