Is a 10ft kayak suitable for fishing in the ocean?

Hi all. I'm looking to get into kayak fishing, but have very limited storage space to work with. I live in an apartment building with a shared garage. I could fit up to a 10ft kayak stored vertically against the wall in my parking spot. No way I can store it in the apartment.

A little background: I grew up in Hawaii, I mostly spearfish, but do some trolling from my 11ft inflatable TrueKit with a 10HP outboard. I like to fish for salmon out of Pillar Point, and halibut out of Oyster Point. I also surf and am pretty comfortable in the ocean.

I know that most people use longer kayaks in the ocean. If I could fit it, I think I would get a Revo 13, but it would be very difficult to fit it in the space I have. Maybe not impossible, but very awkward. Is it crazy to take a 10ft yak in the ocean? Could it be reasonably beach launched, for instance at Rockaway? I'm looking at something like a Nucanoe F10. From what I gather, a shorter yak is going to be slower to pedal or paddle, but I'm not against putting an electric motor on it. I'd invest in a Torqeedo or EPropulsion if it makes the thing safe to take out when it's on the windy side. I just don't know how different kinds of kayaks handle in the ocean so I'm looking for some advice. Thanks.

I wouldn't go out in the ocean with a 10' kayak.

I wouldn't go out in the ocean with a 10' kayak.

Why is that? Not enough stability, speed, or what?

In certain conditions, for an experienced paddler, yes. Just don’t plan on paddling very far or going very fast. I saw this Native Mariner 10 on CL and it seems like a good deal. https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/boa/d/moss-beach-native-mariner-10-sit-on-top/7142579496.html

I wouldn't go out in the ocean with a 10' kayak.

Why is that? Not enough stability, speed, or what?

I have lots of respect for the ocean and mother nature.

If a 10-foot kayak was the only kind of kayak I could have, I would definitely take it out on the ocean. 

My first kayak was about 10.5' and it worked for fishing in the kelp near shore (and near the launch/landing site). But, for chasing salmon, a 10' kayak is probably not going to be too effective. While a motor might seem like a good option, you have to consider the added weight, and that weight could become dead-weight that would make paddling even more difficult...

I have a native slayer 10 and have gone in the ocean. The ocean conditions are really the X factor. Nice conditions no problem, sketchy conditions forget it.  I also agree with the comment regarding a motor, just stick with a pedal drive. As for all the 10 ft kayaks out there I wouldn’t trade mine in for any one of them.

My wife weighs in at a buck ...
a 10ft kayak is a bi boat for her and perfect for the ocean
I on the other hand come in at 2.50 and would have a difficult time at best on any water with it.
It’s not the size of the kayak, it’s the fit that matters most.

I used to go out of Pillar Point in a Tarpon 100. It was fine on the calm days when conditions were good but was sketchy when it got windy or rough.It was also next to impossible to troll for salmon with a dd6 as I could not keep straight to save my life. Basically paddling 3-4 paddles to 1 on the other side to keep a straight line with the drag from the dd6. I imagine you could compensate for that with the rudder on a pedal drive though. So yes it definitely possible and I did it for a couple of years before upgrading. I probably went out further than what was “safe” in a 10 foot kayak a few times. I also got caught in some bad conditions a few times and struggled to make it back to shore. Enough of those times made me wish I had a little bigger kayak that would track and handle the rough stuff better. It’s just a matter of knowing your own abilities and comfort level and respecting the water. Of course having all the proper safety gear is also a must. 

Thanks for the input everyone. I wouldn't dream of paddling for salmon! I would be pedaling or motoring.

I'm only 150lbs, so no issue with weight.

Electric motors are pretty reliable compared to gas outboards. If the motor quits on me, I'm in the same predicament as with my inflatable. No way I could row the inflatable a few miles against the wind. I would be calling for a rescue tow. I do already have a marine radio and Garmin InReach satellite communicator.

Ideally I'd get a kayak with a pedal drive and electric motor.

Have you considered overhead storage in your garage?  As to the weight issue, by the time you put a motor with battery as well as fishing gear and your body, I seems to me that would be maxing out the weight limit on a ten footer.

Have you considered overhead storage in your garage?  As to the weight issue, by the time you put a motor with battery as well as fishing gear and your body, I seems to me that would be maxing out the weight limit on a ten footer.

It's a shared garage in an apartment building, so I can't drill any holes or anything permanent like that.

Even the larger Torqeedos are only 34lbs. That puts the load at 184 before fishing gear. That's less than many people weigh by themselves. I also like to keep my gear simple so I don't bring a ton of tackle.

I guess it depends on how fast you are trolling that 10 foot kayak, with a couple of big treble hooks and a heavy wire leader you should be able to get some great strikes on that 10 footer in nearshore.
Try bean hollow or Ano Nuevo.  Farallons would be a good bet too, if the boat you are trolling that kayak with is large enough to deal with a big momma.

I guess it depends on how fast you are trolling that 10 foot kayak, with a couple of big treble hooks and a heavy wire leader you should be able to get some great strikes on that 10 footer in nearshore.
Try bean hollow or Ano Nuevo.  Farallons would be a good bet too, if the boat you are trolling that kayak with is large enough to deal with a big momma.