first kayak-sit-in or sit-on-top??

[abrickhead]

hey gents.....I've been looking into getting a used kayak to see what all this fuss is about kayak fishing:) A question to you guys...looking back on your own experiences, what would be the best choice for a novice, a sit-in style or the sit-on-top style of boat. Which offers more stability or safety for the newb'.....what is better for actually fishing?? Thanks for the help.

[Cory ruthless Routh]

It has alot to do with you fishing preference, but the SOT is definately the safer kayak.

[wpvboat]

Sit On Top!

[Sandtiger]

Do some research and find out what it takes to get back in a SIK then see what it takes to get back on a SOT. It's kind f like getting out of your swimming pool..... The SIK can take a long time, if ever, not knowing what you are doing and without a lot of practice.

[JoshKaptur]

I would guess that 95% or more of people who own a kayak specifically/primarily for fishing own sit-on-top kayaks. The other 5% are mostly conversion yak fishers... they started out as serious paddlers (and got the performance sit-inside yaks), and then decided to try fishing and couldn't go back.

As a beginner paddler, I think you'd definitely be most comfortable in a sit-on-top. If yous pend the time researching and get a good one (generally speaking, you'll get what you pay for imho), you should never need to upgrade. If you're interested in using it primarily in big water (ches. bay), I'd recommend a 14 foot kayak as a bare minimum... 16 foot being much better. Can't go wrong with the hobie adventure or Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160 if you ask me (assuming you weigh less than 225ish pounds). Paddler plus gear can get towards the upper end of the limits in those boats quickly if you're much heavier.

[abrickhead]

Thanks for the feedback guys....BTW if any of you could steer me in the right direction of anyone who is looking to sell....I've found some prospects on CraigsList, but, any recomendations would be helpful.

[Capt.Nick]

I like to compare the phrases SOT & SOB.That's what I call Sit On Bottoms,because that's where I found myself sitting..on the bottom of the lake.You won't have to learn the Eskimo Roll in a SOT.

[JoshKaptur]

Although, Capt, you could also have said "you wont GET to learn the eskimo roll in a SOT."

If money grew on trees, I'd get me a nice white water yak and give that sport a whirl too... in which case I'd like to have a sit-inside with skirt and like to know how to roll. But for fishing purposes, SOT all the way as far as I'm concerned.

I'm still waiting for the day when one of the 5% sit-inside yak fisherman is out with me, turtles their yak (crate, rods, and all)... hopefully while fighting a fish... and then eskimo rolls right back up in front of me. That would be something to see, but I'm not holding my breath.

More than likely, it will be an inexperienced sit-inside yak fisherman, who then proceeds to lose most of his stuff and needs my assistance in a "self" rescue with pumping 30 gallons of water out his hull, steadying the yak while he climbs back in, etc.

[calcuttaking]

I have a sot wilderness systems "14 Tarpon" I love it in the upper james, & small lakes, but have yet to test it out at the CBBT.

Mark

[Redfish Bluefish]

I'm thinking of selling my 12 foot Liquid Logic Manta Ray and going to an Ultimate 14.5 that would suit my style of fishing better. If you in the Baltimore Washington area, I'd be happy to let you try it out. PM me if you're interested.