inflatable rock fishin

i have a sevylor inflatable thats 12'. put alot of money into it with a boat deck, bench seats, and a trolling motor. this spring im thinkin about fishin the kelp beds in it. ive never been to the still water cove by pebble beach, is it generaly a "safer" place? i know ocean swells can change in a second... i would like to invest in a yak but ive already put so much work into what i got. i just got the saltwater bug and wanna do some Rock fishin this summer!

Welcome to the board.  Keep checking the "classifieds" forum if you want to invest in a kayak.  It's more affordable than you think!

Jaybird,
To answer your question - yes it would be a good place as long as you can carry it to the beach.
No launch ramp avail. but most always a protected bay for safe fishing.
As for the kayak investment - use what you have for now and maybe down the road you can invest in a yak and join in the madness.
WeLCome AbOARd.

Inflatable boats with an agro 30 inch lingcod on board (or a stringer full of rockfish) may not be the safest combination. I've fished off a Sevlor inflatable boat in the past but only fished for trout in small lakes but I would never take it out in open ocean. Especially for rockfish. I'd feel a little safer on the more tougher and durable inflatable boat like a zodiac.

IMO: sell the Sevlor and get a used kayak  You'll be a lot happier and safer (take kayak safety class)

Just me 2 cents.....


See you on the water 

Hmmmmm that might be good for diving! Wanna trade?

I would not recommend taking that inflatable out to the kelpbeds and especially targeting rockfish. 

I don't know the particular model of sevlor you have, but I don't think you can pressurize it enough to get it to handle the ocean conditions should they get rough.

Rockfish (really any fish) spines are super sharp and if you happen to drop a fish while trying to land it, it'll puncture the boat.  I know of a guy with a 15" zodiac that carries a tube of shoe goo to use in quickly repairing fin punctures. 

im not to worried about fins. its perty tough and i jsut gotta be careful with those kinda things. only thing im mostly worried about is swells. i would get a kayak but i live in the central valley and i use my boat on lakes all the time. i would much rather use that then a kayak for lake fishin. thats why a kayak is such a big investment when i would only be using it a couple times a year for saltwater

i would get a kayak but i live in the central valley and i use my boat on lakes all the time. thats why a kayak is such a big investment when i would only be using it a couple times a year for saltwater

If only planning on using it couple times a year, you might just want to hookup with one of us by using the Hookup section of the forum.  Many of us have 2 or 3 yaks (or more) and can bring an extra one for an NCKA bro if needed.  After a couple of outings, you can then decide whether you want a yak, even if just a few times a year.     

 Rock cod fishing is NOT for inflatables. Hooks, spines,knives and all kinds of things could punture that thing in a heartbeat, not to mention all kinds of other issues with wind, swell,surf etc. Do yourself a favor and hook up with a NCKA member and let them show you how and why you would be better off with a kayak. Keep your boat for lakes and pick up a used kayak cheap.
 Stillwater is a good place to launch and return to,just have to deal with fee to get in and then parking, loading and unloading. You might try out Monterey beach for starters and see how you do. Go with a buddy, and a take a PFD(lifejacket) Good luck

. only thing im mostly worried about is swells.

Nice thing about the sit on top kayaks is that if a swell does swamp you, there are built in scupper holes that drain the water out, thus making it stable and almost unsinkable in such conditions.

Even when your fishing on a lake on your inflatable, if it rains on you, you'll need a bucket on hand to bail the water out. You won't have to worry about that on a sit-on-top +

Other cons about inflatables:
* you get blown around easily when the wind picks up.
* patches, patches, patches
* they don't track very well when you have to paddle 'em (in case you battery dies on you)
* you simply can't drag 'em around for obvious reasons
* you don't get the exercise that you would get from paddling a kayak

Anyway, like hamachijohn had mentioned earlier, hook-up with an NCKA member and spend a day fishing off a kayak, I'm sure you'll enjoy it 

I wouldn't use it on the ocean.  You don't want to get into a situation where you have to swim to shore and loose your boat motor and gear.  It's not worth the risk.  Like John said just look for hook ups.  I just bought a Trident 15 and I have three other kayaks you could borrow anytime we hook up.   I mostly go to Cambria and Big Sur though.  Andy

I guess I was a bit quick to respond,
I am assuming you have one of the very seaworthy models they make
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=U202GRY-00-000&categoryid=10085&brand=
If this is the case than I would still believe it would be safe inside Stillwater on a fair day. If on the other hand you have one that the others assume when the name Sevular is mentioned than you should use extream caution in the salt and always wear a PFD

SPINES!!!!   

Anyone who fishes rockfish enough has gotten spined, and it sucks!  Back in the day, I perforated my float tube on a brown rockfish in the capitola kelp.  Made it back to shore all flaccid, but barely.  You don't want to experience that sinkin' feeling further out in the dense Stillwater kelp.  That might not only ruin YOUR day but obligate somebody else to help you, which of course, any of us would likely do.  Its just not a good idea man.

WTTM and look forward to seeing you out on the water.

lol, looks like nobody is going to be able to deter you....at the very least wear a full wetsuit and carry some swim fins with you, a gps and VHF, flares, some oars if your battery dies (trolling motor plus wind = dead batteries fast) or you need to push through the kelp cause the prop is fouled......and a life raft 


Everyone has their own safety limits and tolerance for, "crazy," based on experience and ability.....just curious as to how much water time you got under the belt. 

My 2 cents

I believe that sevelor does make some seaworth boats, is yours a coated fabric or just thick PVC.  If it's not fabric stay out of the ocean.

Do you have any ocean experience, if not, don't start by taking your inflatable out on it.

If your trolling motor is electric, stay off the ocean. lack of power on the ocean is an emergency, lack of power on a lake is most times just a PITA.

It does sound like you have allot of experience with the boat, just doesn't sound like all things considered that it would be safe for a trip on the ocean.

If you do go, definetly wear a wetsuit, and bring fins, and do not take any youngsters with you.  I have towed in a 12 ft aluminum boat with a Dad and his 5 yr old son from offshore in the Van Damme area.  Ran out of gas with a 5 yr old on board.................

Sorry, don't mean to preach but allot of time spent at the coast kinda leaves you wondering what people were thinking when they went out.

The invites on a hookup here are for real, take'em up on it.

And lastly read this thread, http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,14820.0.html