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I have both. The sit-on-top fishing yak is a stay-at-home at my cabin. Never have to heft it onto the car. My 10-foot sit-inside weights a mere 35 pounds, and it's the one that goes on trips. It also shines late in the year when it's too cold for sit-on-top comfort.
I just bought myself a Pelican Sentinel 100XR Angler sit on kayak. Love it over the Argo 100 Angler sit in kayak! Way more options with sit on and easier to launch and land versus the sit in. I’m a bigger guy and it was much easier. But when you say try it before you buy...you are 100% correct. I literally took the mannequin out of the display model and climbed right in. I wanted to feel exactly what the seat was like and the foot rests etc... the workers thought I was a little nuts, but I didn’t care! It my ass that’s gonna be in it for hours on end... nice video! Cheers!
Ive had the same one for 2 years all I did is upgrade the seat. Tried the cascade stadium seat I hated it. I bought a leader kayak seat. It's so cumfy. We don't need these $5k Gucci kayaks to catch fish.
Chad, Always valuable having a discussion on types of platforms to #KayakFish from. My three takeaways from this content is first fishing from a platform that's most comfortable over numerous hours on the water, the more your comfortable the more enjoyable your outing will be. Second being able to rig your platform that's most suited for you to fish from, whether that's standing, side saddle or straight forward being able to present your bait various ways makes all the differance. Third but may be the most important is #DressToSwim even if your in the most stable platform you never know what may happen on the water and if you are prepared for the conditions your chances of positively dealing with an unexpected event drastically increases.
I was given a sit inside kayak by my daughter-in-law and have made some modifications to it, I.e. stabilizers,anchor trolley,rod holders. I would not take it out on blue water here in s w Fla. Being over 70 years old, I am comfortable in my kayak, but I think my next kayak will be a sit on top. My current problem is transportation, I haul it on top of my Jeep Patriot. Not getting any younger. Here again,another good piece of information. Thanks
Thanks for a really fair and balanced look at the pros and cons of both styles of kayak. I've been a sit-in guy for five years now -- I'm a passionate kayak angler and have a boat which I've extensively custom-rigged for fishing. But I also like to use the boat for recreational paddling, so crossover uses are another reason to consider a sit-in. My wife doesn't fish but likes to paddle, so when we go out together I don't need another boat -- or to take a heavier, slower sit-on-top. When fishing I like to cover a fair bit of water and the ease of paddling is a big factor as well ... though a pedal-drive boat would eliminate that because you can manoeuvre hands free and focus just on fishing. Anyway ... take care and again, thanks!
Very good info, but I disagree about stand up and reenter from the water for kayak types. There are sit on top kayaks that are easily flipped over and there are sit in kayaks that can be easily stood in, reentered , etc. It depends on the shape of the hull not the deck design. Sit inside are always best for white water. You will wash off of a sot kayak for sure.
i fish the wheeler and the pumphouse there. can't comfortably fish out of a regular kayak, but your raised seating option will be wonderful, plus that rudder gizmo too. jug fished there plus snagged some enormous gar too. them gators in north al ARE real!
Very good video. Was looking at getting a sit in kayak for fishing, but after watching you video, I'm more inclined to seriously look at getting a sit on kayak.
I agree Chad sit on top all day man the versatility is awesome their like a one man bass boat I love mine I just bought a radar 115 it's my second yak and I'm sure I made the right decision thanks for all ur info Chad u appreciate it
Good video Chad. Agree that SOT is the way to go for fishing. For recreational paddling most of my friends and neighbors prefer Sit Ins. SOTs seem alien to them, plus they seem to like being covered and their yaks being more light weight. That said, I have no problem keeping up with them in my OT Predator MX during paddle outings. BTW the US National Whitewater Center gives flatwater lessons for which they exclusively use Emotion SOTs. PS: I’ve been swamped in a Sit In...not fun.
When you made this video the Bonafide EX123 didn’t exist. I’d love to know your opinion on that kayak as a legitimate fishing kayak. For me I think I’d love the versatility but I still want to be able to fish efficiently.
I owned a SIS for a little over a year and loved it. But I wanted more room and the ability to stretch my legs out because I get uncomfortable. I felt like I outgrew it (in terms of what I want to do on the water). I purchased a new SOT but was initially underwhelmed because its a little sluggish and some water stands inside by the holes (easy fix for this). Granted, it was also frustrating because I was getting blown around without rigging it with an anchor trolley etc. and just went out as is. Im still keeping it because of its immense potential and seemingly infinite rigging capability. Just some food for thought if anyone is in the same... boat as me and thinking about switching.
Make friends with the water coming the scupper holes. In fact make friends with water in general. You can't guarantee a dry ride in an SOT. Having said that, check the weight capacity of your boat. The closer your weight is to the boats capacity the more water you will get through the scuppers. Look at different SOTs. You may have a model that is sluggish by nature. You may need a different length paddle. I started out in a sit inside, and the a couple of years later got an SOT and never looked back. My SOT is a beast, 13.5 feet long and more than 80 pounds. I love it, but my old SIS was 39 pounds and 10 feet. I could load and be gone in 15 or 20 minutes. Now I need an hour, and have to rent a storage unit to store the SOT. This year I am planning on downsizing to a lighter, shorter kayak but it will still be an SOT. The advancements that have been made have brought features to inexpensive kayaks that were only available on premium kayaks 5 years ago and weren't available at all 8 years ago. I keep all of my old kayaks and still take them out from time to time depending on where I am going. It also makes it easy to bring along friends who don't have a kayak........yet
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AN EITHER OR CHOICE. I am a very satisfied owner of a WS Pungo 120 for more than 10yrs. It paddles very efficiently and is extremely comfortable for a recreational sit Inside kayak. I've put a lot of miles on this old boat and for recreational paddling it's hard to beat. Now that I'm retired and fishing more I have found it way too cramped for any serious fishing. Not really any room to carry more than a small Plano box and 2 rods. I didn't want to give up the speed and maneuverability of a SIS VS SOT not to mention the weight. So I went with a hybrid - the Jackson Kilroy. It's considered a SIS but can be rigged like a SOT. I think it has the advantages of both without too many compromises. Not as fast, maneuverable, or as light as a SIS but definitely not as heavy and more maneuverability than a SOT. There are other manufacturers that offer similar models.
Recently bought a SOT. Thought I read/heard that adding a little more weight to it will make it more stable. I went out one day just to paddle around and then the next day with some fishing gear. Will a fuller crate/weight make it more stable?
Really liken the break down videos. Or in depth videos. Help somebody make a better-informed decision on . Before they buy . Hope to see more videos geared towards this one
Excellent points and I would agree with your recommendation.... While there are many nuances that could be discussed this information is on point and the way folks should approach finding the kayak that is best for their needs.... Get Em In Da Boat!
Just got the Perception Hook 10.5. I chose to go for this one because I personally like the sit in since I dont need all the fancy stuff. Also, my mom wanted a kayak so this way she can use it and stay dry.
This is a very handy video for guys like me from Arizona who know zip about boating. Not a lotta rivers to raft around here so river rafting is not exactly common knowledge in these parts.
I am just getting back into fishing from when I was younger and I am looking to start kayak fishing and try to get my son into it he sounds like he's starting to get interested cuz I've been watching your videos and the fluke Masters videos and one thing that I have been wondering about kayaks and I seem to can't find a video on is the breakdown of what makes them do certain things like what makes the kayak more stable than another kayak or what makes it turn quicker or what makes it more maneuverable or however you want to say it but what makes a kayak do certain things? I am probably going to be buying my first kayak at the beginning of the year and I know I want to sit on top but what I don't know is what aspects makes it do what and I was wondering if you could do a video on that. and I just want to add that I have learned a lot from your videos and it has just made me want to kayak this that much more and that sooner and it makes me want to go out on the canoe that I have access to and go fish even during the winter coming up
Having been a intermediate Whitewater paddler for a little more than a decade, I will say this to you definitely consider how much more dangerous a sit inside kayak is any especially so when your talking about the possibility of something as simple as tackle box somehow getting your foot wedged inside the boat and your upside down or braid line getting wrapped around some pendage or hook getting into leg because you fell up against it inside the kayak upside down and even with training which I've had getting out of kayak when you're wet skirt is hooked around the lip can be very difficult if you haven't practiced in a real setting like lake or river. In Whitewater paddling we call uprighting the boat in high stress situations getting your combat roll and it's the only way to know if you can perform in the moment, if I had been the one to make this video knowing what I know I would have to completely write off the sit inside kayak as viable option, but Chad did make it very clear that are not his choice and and in my opinion not even a choice at all, hopefully if your reading this and your considering a purchase for your son's and daughters you'll rethink your decision.
I agree sit on top for me personally, I tried a sit in kayak and just didn’t feel comfortable with the boat surrounding me so much...felt like I had no where to go should it tip over...I guess that is where training comes into play.
Im just getting started in this kayak fishing and didnt want ro spend a whole lot so i got a sundalfin journey 10 ss last year its a cheap alternative to the bigger sit-on fishing rigs and i love it. The thing that alot of beginners dont take into consideration is the weight capacity and waight distribution thats cause of alot of flip overs. Its Sit-on all day for me.
What about kayak vs a 10-11ft bass tender/pontoon/bass dinghy? I know a kayak is prob gunna be more portable but i don't really go anywhere not accessible by truck?
If I go the bass tender route, I won't be paddling it, at the very least I'd have a battery w/ 55lb+ trolling motor, or a small gasser outboard. I'm torn, because if I go the Kayak Route the minimum I'm looking at is the Big Fish 105/120 (or, under a different name, the Cabela's Advanced Anglers 120), which is 800-1000$ just for the Yak itself unless I catch it on sale. Where i've seen a few of the basstender type (ie Sun Dolphin pro 120), for sale in my area, used, for around that price range.
What's pushing me towards the kayak is, no/little maintenance. With the other boat, your looking at gas, batteries or both. Keeping batteries charged and replacing every 3-5 years. Gas going bad, engine issues. Plus with the kayak, free exercise!
You make a good point, though I'm not adverse to a bit more maintenance, gas and batteries aint a problem for me. The biggest thing for me is probably price vs stability, and portability vs "fishability" I feel like being in more of an actual boat might be a bit easier to fish. also, even with just a small outboard, I could get to places in larger lakes much much quicker.
Munky332 Quite true, as I typed it, it sounded like a bit of a copout. I've had boats for 20 years. Just rebuilt the carbs on current engine. I'm getting to where I fish as soon as I launch. No more long runs. No longer fish big water either.
