Aire Inflatables

I own an Aire inflatable kayak (super lynx)  this is a high quality boat made for whitewater with a self-bailing floor.  I find the boat to be comfortable and stable and safe, although quite slow.   I have caught black bass and trout from the boat many times, but I am now interested in launching from Martinez (near my home) and the Oakland estuary (near my work)and doing a little fishing, maybe stripers, although the thought of a sturgeon does appeal to my macho instincts,  (I confess I've never even fished for sturgeon though)

Are there any kayakers who have experience in the ocean with inflatables?  Any suggestions as to where to start exploring these
areas.  PS  I'm a diver, spearfisherman too, at least I used to be...

Is the current in Martinez dangerous as far as being carried off if one stays near shore?  the people at the tackle shop looked at me like I was an idiot, and I confess that I may be...

At any rate I'm happy to find this site...

A lot of folks worry about the puncture aspect of inflatables. I fish from float tubes and an AIRE cataraft, so that doesn't bother me too much. However, I'd question whether or not the Super Lynx would have the kind of performance that I'd like while out on the open bay. How does it handle wind from the beam? What kind of speed can you maintain? However my opinion is based solely on paddling the Lynx and Tomcat Tandem in freshwater (class II-III and a lake, respectively)

Regards,
Scott

rtnolan,

Welcome.

"the people at the tackle shop looked at me like I was an idiot"

It happens to me out here on the delta all the time. People will say I hope you don't catch anything big or you'll get towed. And  I say that's the idea. A lot of people seem to forget the a reel has extra line and a drag on it.

They aren't laughing when we start catching fish though.

Jeff

Me and Jelly fished out of an inflatable tandem for a few years and caught a ton of fish out of it.  I didn't know how bad it paddled til I tried something else, but it didn't stop us from fishing the hell out of it.


Look at baby Jelly...ahhhhh (sweet fit on the wetsuit!)

rtnolan,
I live in Benicia and would not take any slow kayak into an outgoing tide in the Carquinez Strait.  That is, unless you have lots of time to catch the next tide.  Last Spring I did all my shakedown trips in the Strait.  One day I was going 8.5 MPH and barely pedaling (Hobie Mirage Drive) and that was on the Martinez side very close to the bank.  We are talking 5+ mph current so there would be no way you would make any headway against that current.  If you venture into the strait, watch the tides and be warned!