Rant

I have caught Redeye (Micropterus coosae) in three states.

Lots of marketing bs with micros. Several of the production micro rods have WAY too many guides. A micro rod can't be more accurate, accuracy has to do with the caster not the components. There are advantages with micros, and disadvantages too (cottonwood seeds and ice are two that affect me).

yup shorter rod is great for accurate roll casting underneath overhead cover.

you'll be fine

Where do you live? Any kayak clubs or kayak fisherman around you that would let you try there boats out? What about local college, often their outdoor rec programs have loaner boats? What about canoe liveries, they often also have kayaks for rent. Once you test out a few kayaks, you will learn what type of kayak works for you. Since your only going to keep it for a few years, I would look at Craigslist for locally used kayaks. Often you can arrange a test paddle before buying. It just doesn't make sense to me, to go out and buy something new, that may or may not be suited to you without at least giving it a whirl. Also buying through a kayak store that does demos, will give you chance to talk to someone knowledgeable on other things such as paddle/pfd selection, rigging etc. Additionally, if you have a warranty claim on your boat; which do you think is going to give you better service, a dedicated kayak shop or a meglomart employee?

or just use a drop of gel super glue.

Go to a store that lets you demo/test paddle the kayak. You would not buy bicycle or car without spinning the wheels, why would you buy a boat that you can't test out. Everyone is different and their use is different, go see for yourself.

Most whitewater type rafts/pontoons usually require about 3.0 psi. I assume your sevylor would be in the 2.25-3.0 range. You will have to make a homemade fitting (or just cup your hand around the valve (I am assuming you have a "boston" style valve). Feel is good, just be aware that once full, it can expand even more when moved into the hot sun (or shrink if you place it on a cool water). Air mattress pump and hand pump is the route I go, but I generally fill my up 90% of the way before leaving rather than onsite.

Depends on thickness of the plastic and the gap (each brand is different). Can be anything from 1/0-9/0 but generally it is in the 2/0-4/0 range.

Battery operated leaf blower works great. Hard to get any of the 12 volt pumps to push enough air to get above 1.5 psi. A manual pump (K-pump or Carlson barrel pump) could have it filled in 5 minutes but they are pricy. A wonder pump will take about 10-15 minutes and are affordable.

Both of your choices above you can stand and fish from. No issues hooking big fish include 'ski or cats or stripers. Try both, for me, one of them is much easier to move from the sitting position to the standing position. It also helps to have a short piece of cord (say lawn mower starter cord) that you can help pull yourself up from the sitting position.

Try both before you buy, but yes your looking at appropriate boats. Also most beginners but high emphasis on initial stability, but after a few trips initial stability becomes a non-factor for most people. To design lots of initial stability is determent to other attributes such as turning ability and speed. Obviously you want some initial stability but general it is secondary stability that most people require. Secondary stability is when the boat is when the boat is on edge, it doesn't really continue to roll over very easily. Initial (or primary) makes the kayak stay flat the entire time.