I looked through the forum a bit but couldn't find the answer to my specific question.. That is; Can a zodiak handle rough surf conditions and large swells like an experienced kayaker can? I've always used a kayak to deploy my baits but have found that their are frequently days too rough to get my bait where I need it, not to mention the difficulty of kayaking in Texas surf on a rough day. Would a zodiak (with motor) be able to handle the same as a kayak or would it be better or worse? I figure that it is definitely more dangerous because of the motor but I have personally never used one so I wouldn't know..
Can a zodiak handle rough surf conditions and large swells like an experienced kayaker can?
With a Zodiac, you still have to be smart about it. It's an entirely different way of boating and it takes some getting used to. Your best advantages on a Zodiac is your speed and agility. Use them to get around waves instead of through them and do whatever it takes to prevent flipping over. That's where you can get in some serious problems.
To directly answer your question, yes a Zodiac can do large swells. But like an experienced kayaker, you should attempt to become an experienced boater.
Another thing to consider - I think there are rules in many places against launching a motorized vessel straight off the beach.