Kayaks

[MikeA]

If I were in the market for an new one what should I be looking for? Do the sit on tops work ok in the winter or do they get frozen up? Are the seats comfortable on the sit on tops? What are some pros and cons for sit ins vs sit on tops?

[Travis C.]

I don't kow a lot about them except for my buddy has a surf style and it sucks paddling against current on the Caney. It is a sit on and from the times I have tried the two styles...I prefer a sit in. You can fabricate it a little more to fit your needs it looks like.

[RSiegmann]

I'd go with a sit-on-top if you are going to try and cast a fly rod out of a kayak ... plus they are easier to get on and off if you intend on using the kayak as a wading point to wading point transportation ... under generation, I don't think any kayak is going to be a joy to paddle whether it's a sit-in or sit-on unless its 14-16 feet long ... it's also easier to accessorize a SOT ... add a milk crate with a couple of rod holders and your all set ...

Personally, I was pondering the kayak choices the latter half of last year ... I decided to go with a SOT ... had the folks over at Cumberland Transit order me a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Ultralite in January ... I am extremely happy with the purchase 7 months later ... but I am even more satisfied with my paddle purchase ... if you do need a paddle as well, just let me know and I'll pass along the contact information for a guy in Hawaii who custom makes carbon paddles ...

[madMax]

SOT is the only way to go, and I mean ONLY way. If you get a sit-in you will be extremely uncomfortable and disappointed. I just sold mine and I'm currently about to buy a brand new one. Old one was 11'5" SOT and it tracked very well - in rivers and on the lake. The longer the yak the easier it will track but harder to transport obviously. SOT are also very hard to flip - couldnt tell you how many strainers I hit and still could not flip it. I would stand up in it casting a fly rod or a cast net and couldn't flip it... You will def not be able to fly fish from a sit inside and getting in and out is a chore in and of itself.

Disclaimer: kayak fishing is the most addictive form of fishing!! They take you places even the best jet cannot go  Not to mention you get a great workout and cant even feel it until the next day - your arms, chest and abs will be ripped before you know it...just another perk of yak fishing I guess 

So long story short - get a good sturdy SOT that can take a beating - and make sure it has plenty of storage, if not you can always customize! Also invest in a good paddle it will be well worth it. Winter kayak fishing is awesome and a very dry ride if your paddling technique is good- meaning no freezing water dripping down your paddle. Use scuppers in the winter to plug the bottom of the yak and you should be 100% dry (take them out in summer for a cooling wet float if you like) Have fun with it!

[Leo deMonbreun]

Another great advantage of the sit on top is that most all of them are self-bailing. Huge issue if you use int in colder weather/water.

Typically most all SOT yaks have a completely different shape hull which means better stability.  Dan fished out of a cockpit style boat for a long time so it can be done but at a gret comfort loss and typically less storage.  Lots of folks are swearing by the NuCanoe, but that sucker is heavy at around 90 pounds.  Dan even mentioned selling his if anyone wants a completley rigged out NuCanoe, call him.

Yaks are truly a pleasure to fish from.

[Glenn Hawkins]

Don't forget to take a look at the Native Ultimate boats.  In stock at Cumberland Transit.  More of a hybrid, not a kayak and not a canoe.  The Ultimate 12 and 14.5 are wonderful boats that you can stand up and cast from.  Very stable due to a tunnel hull design.  They also have the most comfortable elevated seat and cool seat on the market today.

Glenn

[Looper Flies]

Having a comfortable seat is very important when kayaking.  If the seat sucks, your back will pay for it.

[btb35]

I'll second the comment about the  Native Ultimate.  I went from a traditional, 12' SOT to the 14.5 ultimate and haven't looked back.  You can easily stand and cast.  There is not a kayak seat anywhere that comes close to the comfort of the Native seat. 
I've paddled the ultimate upstream on the caney with one generator running; the native is at least as fast as a similar length tarpon or ride.

[MikeA]

Great info thanks!

[kaisersoze]

Mike,

I'll trade you my kayak for your supreme.  Holla back.

[grumpy]

Mike,

I'll trade you my kayak for your supreme.  Holla back.

Sounds kinda shady Mike, i'll trade ya a brand new one with a carbon fiber paddle

Grumpy

[Steve H]

Sounds kinda shady Mike, i'll trade ya a brand new one with a carbon fiber paddle

Grumpy

Grumpy, I may take you up on that if you are willing to sweeten the deal.   

[grumpy]

Sounds kinda shady Mike, i'll trade ya a brand new one with a carbon fiber paddle

Grumpy

Grumpy, I may take you up on that if you are willing to sweeten the deal.   

guess we'll havta talk bout that over a cup of coffee

Grumpy

[Steve H]

Sounds kinda shady Mike, i'll trade ya a brand new one with a carbon fiber paddle

Grumpy

Grumpy, I may take you up on that if you are willing to sweeten the deal.   

guess we'll havta talk bout that over a cup of coffee

Grumpy

It's going to be an expensive cup of coffee. 

[grumpy]

Sounds kinda shady Mike, i'll trade ya a brand new one with a carbon fiber paddle

Grumpy

Grumpy, I may take you up on that if you are willing to sweeten the deal.   

guess we'll havta talk bout that over a cup of coffee

Grumpy

It's going to be an expensive cup of coffee. 

naw, i can get a deal on life jackets