Kayaking, Diving, Skiing, & Surfing Forum. - sit atop vs. sit in

Hey everyone,

Sorry if I sound like a newbie, but I want to get a yak for saltwater fishing, and have some basic questions:

1) Advantages of a sit atop vs. a sit in. I looked at an ocean kayak prowler 15 and an old town dirigo fisherman over the weekend -- the ocean kayak looked really sweet, but it seems to me that the old town would be more stable on the water. I am probably wrong about this, but it seems the sit in (old town) puts your center of gravity closer to the water, which should be a good thing for stability.

2) What are the basics of what I should be looking for? I want to fish quiet bays and harbors on Cape Cod Mass for blues and stripers.

I appreciate your responses.

Joe

quiet bays in summer ..a sit on is fine ...but if you want to get in the ocean or fish when its chilly...a sit in offers more protection...however you can compensate for that by what you wear.....i prefer sit ins except when its hot...you are not wrong about center of gravity and sit ins are generally faster
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I would have to recommend a sit in. Like you said they are much more stable and a more comfortable platform to fish from. Also they give you the ability to stash gear down below buy your feet, that is easily accessible rather then having to tie everything down on top of the Kayak, like on a sit up top.

I own nothing but SOT and am fairly certain it is the only type I will ever own for a couple reasons. First its hotter than hell down here most of the time. However the coldest I've launched in was 39 degrees, and for a texas guy thats cold! I was stayed completely dry and never was cold or wet like many of the misconceptions of sot. I can also stand and fish in both of my SOT, this is something I do not think you would be able to do in a SINK. If I am fishing back bays and flats I spend most of my time standing and using my paddle as a push pole and sight casting to redfish. I'm not buying that all SINKs are more stable than SOT but I've only paddle one SINK vs many SOT. You definetly do not want to fish from a SINK in rough water either. Alot of the fishing we do down here is just beyond the surf break or what we call "BTB" (beyond the breakers.) A sink without a skirt would quickly be full of water and be basically worthless. Also with SOT you have ridiculous amounts of storage capacity. Good luck, and a forewarning, these darn plastic boats are just like crack, once you start you can't stop

Sit on top is the only way to go when your starting out. A sit inside is dangerous because if you flip reentry is impossible without special gear and dificult even if you have the gear and training. You say just quiet bays but you wil get carried away and be taking your yak everywhere once you get into it. In the future a sit inside might be in your quiver but not now.

The short answer is - If you have to ask your only option is a "sit-on-top"

"Sit ins" require skill and knowledge for safe use. You need to be able to rescue and recover, and you need to practice those things before you try paddling or fishing.

If your willing to take a class and put some time into it and if you don't panic when a boat is holding you upside down under water than a "sit in" may be worth considering in the future but start with a "sit-on-top

good Luck

Given the fishing conditions you will likely encounter I would recommend a sit in -- (likely wave action).
We have two sea kayaks which we found give us the stability and protection from the elements -- waves and cold waters. Granted we are located in the Midwest using them alot on the local lakes for tooling around and fising. Also have them on the Great Lakes just running along the shoreline -- This body of water can be tricky and takes attention to detail to remain safe. The brother-inlaw in Florida -- uses a sit on top kayak to fish. Too hot to use anything else. He does local lakes only - no ocean fishing. Neither of use would trade our kayak style

Yes the sitons are very stable -- but being on the water always requires a life vest and letting others know where you are fishing at minimum.

The local shops here have days in the Spring where they hit the local lake and bring out all the kayak models for consumers to try -- This is a great way to test them all - see what you have in your area. This is how we determined the 17 foot sea kayaks were for us.
-- BTW -- when we have dumped our boats - one purpose -- we have found we slip right out. This is something you need to try with either styles as well so when it happens you know how to react.

Using a kayak to fish is a geat way to get in close were the boats can not reach and it has been a lot of fun

Good Luck --

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