I am a very competent kayaker (BCU advanced sea proficiency)
however I'm not up to speed with the right kayak for sea fishing.
The ideal for me would likely be an inflatable canoe or kayak. The canoe being 1st choice.
Has anyone any experience of either fishing on the sea?

Cheers
Frank

Frank

I would get your self on to the the whitby sea anglers forum.. I have a few mates who use them on the coast around here and I know there are loads of knowledgable blokes on there. I am sure advise will available...

Whitby Sea Anglers Forums - Index


Andy


Becks and Brown Trout

I wouldn't go to sea in one. They catch the wind like a kite. Having battled wind and tide in various SOT kayaks I can't imagine how hard it would be in one of those things.

I am a BCU four star paddler myself. My sea kayak is very fast, manouverable and has ample space to accomodate kit for a days or even weekend fishing ! Should the opportunity arise I can happily divert to play in 6' + tidal races.

May I ask why you want to go for an inflatable kayak ? Is it for transport reasons ?

Regards

Pop

Just to point you to a US (and a well established one) based Fora where the folks do 'sea fishing' out of this type of craft .. go here: FlyTalk in the Forum

One way or the other, you're going to 'drop the dime,' best it be spent effectively.

fae

__________________
"The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a
living are now outnumbered by those who vote for a living." -- Anonymous

Even better, have a look at Anglers Afloat. If you can't find enough information on that, then you'll be better off playing golf.

absoloutly first class forum with a good yakking section

I would echo the question of "why an inflatable"? I have seen several types and some are better than people think - they are not lilos with seats, the better ones have inflatable keels and multi inflation chambers with bleed off valves so the heat of the sun doesn't over pressurise the inflatable sections. They paddle reasonably well but don't have the glide of a sea kayak because there is still a substantial amount of windage and in any blow they quickly lose way.

There are other, better options out there and as a paddler I am sure you would quickly become frustrated by the limitations of an inflatable. I suppose it depends upon your idea of FISHING. If all you want to do is catch a few small fish then why not use your existing sea kayak. I have a friend who anchored his P&H Sirius in the tide off west wales and caught tope to 50lbs while sat at anchor and lifted them aboard for photos. They are posted in the catch section on Anglers Afloat (the BCU say this is impossible...so it must be).

Other fishing kayaks are actually proper sea kayak hulls with fishing orientated seating and layouts, such as the Kaskazi marlin or Dorado. These are the top of the tree an dpaddle every bit as fast and handle just like a sea kayak. the reason sit-on-top fishing kayaks have evolved is to better suit the purpose to which they are being put. An inflatable is rather limiting.

A few pictures to give you an idea of what else is availble and what is possible.