:smokin: I have been fishing the RI coast the past couple of weeks, and have been doing fairly well, except no bass over about 31 inches. Some small bluefish, scup, and hickory shad. I haven't caught a flounder yet this year., all fish were caught on the same fly. This post though is about my inflatable. First it is a wet ride in and out of the surf, but less problems then when I had a kayak, at least I didn't tip over. I do have a small outboard for running around the salt ponds, but don't use it in the surf. I made a large seat in the rear which is great when I use the motor, but not so go to row from. Having had canoes, kayaks, prams, I think for the shore fishing I do the inflatable is the best. Very stable, quite a bit of room, not cramped in one position like a kayak. I like being able to when I see fish breaking be able to get out that 200 to 300 yards offshore to the fish rather than have to wait and see if they come into casting range on the shore. I am a strong swimmer, but doing something like this I do put on a life jacket, either the inflatable vest, or the standard jacket. Maybe I am crazy:eyecrazy: I di have a couple of women ask me when I came back to the shore how old I was, I told them the truth,73, they walked away shaking their heads. I sent this article as I want to show a picture of my inflatable, but I forgot how, so I am trying now to attach a picture. If it works I will send another as to what it looks like from offshore.
Hey, Art - nice job, great set-up ! Really looks like the floorboard and platform stiffen and stabilize it.
Don't pay any attention to John, he won't get rid of his kayak - he hasn't figured out that he and Pete can lash their war canoes together and go the Polynesian route :devil:
(No, maybe that's a bad idea, 'cuz then they'll want grass skirts and arm tattooing and war paint and feather headdresses and a chant...
:smokin: I thought that this morning I would go controversal, because I have been having so much fun with my inflatable this year. I have been launching in the surf, and going out and fishing the edge of a rip, been catching all kinds of fish on flies. The only thing is, nothing large than around 30 inches in bass. I know there is large fish there but they have lock jaw. Most of the large fish are being taken at night. The inflatable is very stable, although kind of hard to row. Launching andf returning in the surf is kind of wet though. Alone it is hard after hitting the beach, to get out between waves, because of the buoyancy it is like a cork. The comfort of a good, comfortable fishing platform is worth it, actually able to standup. I wouldn't want though to go more than a few hundred yards offshore, but that is what I changed from a kayak for, doing a little more than just wearing a boat, sitting below the water-line in discomfort I might add. I have two configurations, one is I have a rowing seat which is about in the center. The second configuration has a large wide seat at the back end with a motor bracket where I have mounted a two HP Johnson outboard. This works real well in the salt ponds like Quonochotaug. I can drift around on the edge of the flats, anchor if I wish, stand, and cast to foraging fish then motor back to my launch site. With the kayak, I never could get out of it so I could wade, and fish the flats. I also can with the motor, run out to the mouth of the breachway, got to fix the motor first though, When I grab the throttle I get a pretty good shock. Have to find the time to take it apart, find where it is grounding out. Right now I am getting good exercise rowing. Bring on the False Albacore. I am attaching a picture I hope taken of the club's property from offshore. Beautiful day.
What's controversial about your choice of platform? - nothing I can imagine. I'm glad you're comfy and feel safe, and the only thing I can suggest to get back on the beach is probably redundant - row in facing the beach and let the last swell you catch help push you up a bit so you can step out over the bow.
By the way, nice beach the club has to play on
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Fly Fishing Forum
163.8K posts
38.8K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to fly fishing and sporting enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about safety, licenses, tips, tricks, rivers, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!