SOT vs Sit in Kayaks

[justinfisch01]

I am in the market for a kayak but on a budget, I just sold my 18' bass boat and am trying to buy a new house. I was trying to see what poeple thoughts were on the 2 different types of Kayaks, I know it is all what suits the person's needs. I have never fished out of one b4. I am truley looking now b/c I was going to rent one down in SC at Murrells inlet for reds,specks and flounder but they want like $60 a day. By that time I could buy one. I also would like to be able to paddle out some baits surf fishing. What are the negatives with getting a sit-in kayak for this kind of fishing, That is backwater and ocean?

[Surf Cat]

I think the majority of people wanting to be able to fish are going to use a SOT. A SIT is not as user friendly when coming to the rigging aspects for fishing, and they are extremely dangerous to use in the surf zone. You can fall off a SOT and get right back on, a SIT is a different matter, much more difficult when trying to climb back in after taking a spill.

If you have trouble coming in you can slide off the SOT, if you flip in a SIT you better be wearing a helmet to protect your noggin- but that won't prevent you from breaking your neck!!

[SeaSalt]

one word for fishing on a kayak: SOT

[Caught Myself]

Both previous posts were right on. You can definately fish from a SINK but it's a lot easier with a SOT. With a SOT, you can sit with your feet hanging over the side, turn around backwards to fight a fish or get into the cooler or crate in the tankwell. You can stand up in some of them for sightcasting or another obvious reason. For me, the second best reason to own a SOT rather than a SINK is convenience for fishing or surfing. The number one reason is safety. Surf Cat covered that. I've owned both. I'll never have another SINK.

[thebeachcaster]

I make my living as a kayak guide and I'll tell you that all these posts are right on. SOT is what you want.

[thebeachcaster]

Also, watch and outgoing tide and wind direction if you are going to fish an inlet out of a kayak. Boat traffic and shoals can be an issue. make sure that if you hook a fish, you have a paddle leash or some other way to secure your paddle. you don't want to loose it in the heat of battle and find yourself out in the ocean without a motor. If you have any other things you would like to talk about hit me back. I'll shut up now cause I don't want to sound like a know it all.

[can't fish today]

Also, watch and outgoing tide and wind direction if you are going to fish an inlet out of a kayak. Boat traffic and shoals can be an issue. make sure that if you hook a fish, you have a paddle leash or some other way to secure your paddle. you don't want to loose it in the heat of battle and find yourself out in the ocean without a motor. If you have any other things you would like to talk about hit me back. I'll shut up now cause I don't want to sound like a know it all.

What's the deal on wind direction?

[Grommet]

What's the deal on wind direction?

If you're not using your paddle, you're basically adrift. The wind will move you as it wishes, as will the current...into a channel, or channel marker, etc etc

[kq6]

its harder to grab a beer in a sit in.