Is it dumb to use a Sea Eagle inflatable kayak in Half Moon Bay?

I am totally new to kayaking in saltwater, so please forgive my naive question. I am looking for a real kayak to fish/crabbing in saltwater, and I have not find one yet. At the same time, I am wondering if I can use my Sea Eagle 370 inflatable kayak in Half Moon Bay for fishing/crabbing. Has anyone tried it, is it safe, or should I not even think about it?

Thanks in advance.

My  brother uses his inflatable off pigeon point lighthouse for fishing, then again, i've never considered him very  intelligent.

Make sure to wear a wetsuit and PFD.  And keep your VHF radio handy.

I wouldn't do it for sure.  Nope.

If you want to borrow an ocean-worthy kayak for a couple weeks, let me know.  I have extras.

In fact with that offer in the works as an immediate alternative I'd have to say Yes, it would be dumb to use the inflatable at HMB.

I'm home all day Saturday.

Bushy

Maybe dumb if you are new to kayak fishing the ocean AND using an inflatable.  I don't know ... I hate to use the word dumb.

But heck, I'd do it, but I have some experience kayak fishing the salt, and a pretty good idea what I'd be in for!

-Allen

Thanks for making me look stupid, Allen!

Thanks for making me look stupid, Allen!

Damn me.   

-Allen

Thanks for making me look stupid, Allen!

Damn me.   

-Allen

Hey Pole don't be so hard on the Bushy 

I'd  have  to  agree with  the  wet  suit  idea. I  wouldn't  do it  without  one.  One other  piece of  safety  gear I  don't  hear of Kayakers using is  a safety  sausage. You inflate it and  hold it  up in the  air. It is  bright orange and makes  you  visible  form a long  ways off if you are in trouble. very  compact  when  not in  use. You can  get one at  any  dive  store or online.

Seriously Tonggao-

The offer is sincere I am happy to loan you a kayak for a couple weeks so you can go out with at least that variable covered.  And get some experience.  And get some harvest!

Best bet also is to hook up with others on the board and not be out there alone, no matter what yak you're paddling.

ps No offense, I only used the word "dumb" cause you did. 

I just don't have any confidence in the entry level SE for fishing and crabbing. It just doesn't seem as durable as their pricier options and I have experience with both.  Not worth the risk.

I had a sea eagle inflatable (the 395 ps model) and never used it in the ocean because it just didn't seem like a good idea. Actually, I didn't fish from it much---just a few times in lakes.

Since getting a "real" kayak and, not coincidentally, getting addicted to fishing in the saltwater, I have seen a few people in the SC/Capitola area fishing from similar inflatables. But, it still does not seem like a very good idea to me.

I'd strongly suggest that you take up Bushy on his offer. As he implies in his post, it's wise to reduce the number of variables, especially when starting out.

Both Bushy and Polepole are all about safety and helping others when they can. They both have many years experience paddling the big blue. I would have to agree with bushy that the inflatable would not be a good idea especially since your experience is limited. Think safety first and listen to these guys. Best to not go it alone for now... Just my 2c

Ben

I like to thank everyone for your straight and clear heard advice, and thank you Bushy for your very generous offer. I have the guts feeling that this is a dumb thing to do, but from time to time got the urge to try just in case I am too careful here. I know I am new and have a lot to learn, what is a better place than this forum? Bushy, no offense taken as I already suspected this is a dumb thing to do.

I agree safety should always be number one as one might only gets one chance, and I have already bought spanking new wetsuit/boots and marine radio, and roof rack is on its way, just missing a good kayak . Well, need to be more patient.

Btw, would you guys suggest to get a kayak first and learn from trial and error and from others around, or should I take some classes first? I in general am comfortable paddling, even though never had any formal learning so far.if classes first, any suggestions?

Thanks,
Tong

Come over tomorrow afternoon for coffee and a chat.  We'll get you going.

A self-rescure class and maybe a surf entry class is a good idea, but not mandatory.  Especially if you make sure to go-out with some other experienced yakkers.  and plenty of us are hitting HMB on a regular basis right now shold be no problem.

Bushy