Posted by jas on August 02, 2004 at 20:15:09:
In Reply to: New Kayak Purchase- Beginner Angler posted by Jason C on August 02, 2004 at 14:07:16:
: I can not decide on the type (sit-on-top or closed) kayak to buy for fishing. I would be using it 99% of the time on smaller lakes and streams. I want to make sure its comfortable (I have a lousy lower back) and that it is steady enough to fish from. All suggestions are welcome on the type, brand and model that is best.
: Thanks
I haven't fished from a kayak in streams so I may not be qualified to comment on that application. But from lakes and oceans, the sit on top is the way to go. One of the problems with sit insides is that there isn't a deck. A deck is key for rigging your fish finder, rod holders, compass and whatever else you'd like to turn a stock kayak into a fishing machine with. Sure you can't eskimo roll in a sit on top but I think the joy of eskimo rolling is way over rated...hehehe. For white water rafting and marathon distance paddling, I may prefer a sit inside. The sit on top frees up the angler to fight and handle fish. I'm not saying it can't be done on a sit inside. I've seen sit inside yak anglers pretty content on how they're doing it. But I would have to say that you invite several limitations when you go that route.
There are several sit on tops out on the market. To recommend 1 or 2 would be doing an injustice to what's available out on the market. I would visit some of the manufacturers' websites. Here is a list (hope I don't leave anyone off) of sit on top manufacturers, all of which have pretty comprehensive information about each model.
Cobra
Hobie
Malibu
Necky
Ocean
Perception
Wilderness Systems
Below is a link to the linkspage of the site. Scroll down to Kayaks and Kayaking to click on the links to each manufacturer.
Hope this helps,
jas