rockfishing for kids?

I'd really like to take my son out on a boat for rock-fishing (he's never been RF'ing before and he loves fishing) but I'm worried about party boats being too rowdy and a pain in the arse. 

he's heading back to his mom's around June 15 for the summer and it looks like we will be moving away from CA this summer as well, so this may be his only chance.  Anyone have any suggestions?

 

How old is your kid?

How old is your son?  Could he handle a bit of kayaking, maybe in the front of a double?  There are some protected coves up here in Somona County that, if you pick the right day, are flat calm and full of small rockfish like blues and blacks.

You could try a six-pack charter.  With six people or less on the boat (most if not all of which you will know) you don't have to worry about it being too rowdy.  It'll probably be a bit more expensive, but a much more pleasant experience.

Another option is Coastside which has a hitch-hikers board. 
http://www.coastsidefishingclub.com
There are guys out there that have a boat but don't like going out alone.  A story like your's and an offer to split fuel costs might get you a trip.

Alternatively, quickly make friends with someone who has a boat.

Brian

i'm all set up for kid's rockcod fishing.  drop me a pm.  how old is this kid? 

I took the kids out on a PB for their first time.  Jelly started rockfishing when he was about 6, and Paige went last year when she was 7.  They both loved the non-stop action. 

I usually put a leash on the rod in case they drop it or hang something big.  I had one rod shoot right out of jelly's little hands, but we managed to grab it before it went over.

Age is everything. Please don't forget to give the young one something for sea sickness.
A friend and I did a 6 pack party trip with our boys. Mine took dramamine, his went with the patch ( mom didn't like the idea of her son taking ' drugs' ).
Luckily we had FLAT seas. Unfortunately the patches didn't perform as well as my friend would have liked. Certainly not as well as the Dramamine. His boy was the only one puking over the sides. He was still pretty good about it. As good as one can be under those circumstances. It was definitely a damper on the experience for him.
Also, do not focus ONLY on fishing. Point out everything there is to see. The waves, birds, plant life, jellyfish, distance from the shore, sounds, everything. Even if the fishing is slow ( probably will not be the case ) everything else will want them coming back for more.

Wow, Alan Tani's offer should not be missed!  Depending on your child's age, he might enjoy the yak aspect as well.

My daughter took her 1st party boat trip at age 7 and my son has taken a few rental skiff trips from age 7 up.

My daughter occasionally yakfishes on the tandem in the ocean with me since about age 10.

For the seasickness thing, you can usally guage by their propesity towards carsicknesss.  If your kid can play gameboy or read books in the car (especialy on Hwy 17) then they probably are OK for seasickness.  Give the dramamine or Bonine (My recc., less spacy of a drug) at least an hour prior to the go-out.  Once they get sick it is too late.

Also, make sure to take pictures you can treasure for the rest of your lives!!!

Allen

thanks everyone for all the tips and information.  Now I'm just trying to figure out the best day to take a trip on Alan's ride.  Thanks Alan, Riley is stoked!   

I have found that it is much better if you actually give the little ones( or anyone) a dose of meds the night before and then again in the morning it is more of a sure thing they won't get sick.

I had my son out on a 9' zodiac when he'd just turned 3.  He puked a couple times and slept a few hours, but got to see numerous rockfish and lingcod caught.  Too little yet to reel them in himself, but he got to feel the fish pulling on the rod.

Taking kids out on a kayak or small boat is okay as long as the surf isn't bad.  I did this out of stillwater cove north, which is FLAC on the launch.