Intro - Santa Rosa newbie

Welcome!  Skip to the chase... buy a Hobie Revo13.     No, seriously... buy a Revo.  Or take your time and demo a bunch to find out which "feels right" for you. 

I will say this... don't purchase based on stability.  The majority of kayaks used for fishing have good/excellent stability.  You'll find that after a few trips on the water, your skill/comfort level will dramatically increase and you won't think twice about stability.  Then you'll fall in.  It happens to everyone.    You might sign up for a class too.  It's an opportunity to demo kayaks while learning rescue techniques.

Welcome.  I'm in Rohnert Park.  Bought a Hobie revo 13 last month.  Love it! 

Highly recommend being able to move and fish at the same time!

Thanks for the replies and welcomes!

As far as what i am looking to do.. i stumbled upon this site looking for tips on how to shore fish for rockfish / lingcod and from what I am seeing, a kayak is far superior to the limitations of the shore!

I would also want a kayak that allows for casual paddling trips with my girl... she has always wanted to kayak, but her main objective would be exercise / exploring / scenery not the fish.

With that said are there any kayaks that stand out as good choices? Is a paddle drive yak overkill for what I am trying to accomplish?  Seems starting out with a more basic / affordable yak might be the reasonable thing to do.

Again, thanks for all the information - I know there is a wealth of it out there on the forums, but I'm finding it a small challenge to piece it all together.