I'm thinkin about buying a kayak, but I have some questions first. What are the advantages to having a sit on top kayak over one you sit inside of, or are there any? Also, what are some good kayaks I should take a look at? I have been looking at these:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/2247,77539_Perception-Caster-125-Rotomolded-Kayak-with-Rudder.html

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10213821_999039512_225000000_225015000_225-15-3

I am leaning towards the Ascend FS10

I have the Perception. It's my first yak, so I have nothing to compare it to, but so far I like it very much.

I've never paddled a sit in yak, but I can tell you the majority of fishing kayaks are sot's. One of the major advantages of a sot is ease of getting in and out of it. Access to your fishing gear is easier with a sot also.

I'm about 215 lbs and my Perception is extremely stable. I can even sit on it sideways if I want and it will not tip. That brings up another reason to go with a sot - if you do happen to roll over, you can get back onboard a sot much easier than getting back in a sit in. Plus in a sit in you are stuck inside the hull during a rollover. Pretty scary.

Here's a link to one of a bunch of articles out there:http://www.captdick.net/SELECT%20A%20FISHING%20KAYAK.htm

If you do go with the Perception, pm me and I'll go into some details with you about it and pass on some tricks I've learned. Good Luck

I'd go with the FS12 instead of the 10' model. All else being equal, the longer 'Yak will track better. I've fished out of a couple of Sit-in and SOT kayaks, but wound up with a solo canoe, as I float Ozark streams where I portage a lot. I haven't seen a SOT that can carry everything I use and still only weigh 33 lbs. like my Pack. It's not the best in high winds on a lake, but otherwise you might think of solo canoes, too.

One of the most popular is the Old Town Guide 119.

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4184250

Thanks for the replies guys. I have some more questions that you guys could probably answer.

Do you get wet in a SOT and if so how bad? I will be fishing in primarily very calm water without a lot of boat traffic.

Are the SOT more stable than the Sit in kayaks?

I had the perception and it was ok but it sat really low in the water and was a little hard to paddle. I got my money back for it and bought a used Wilderness systems Ride off od craigslist and I love it. SOT are great, self bailing, freedom of space, More storage, easy access in and out.

SIK are dryer in the winter, You can store more rods on them being out the way

X2 on the SOT.  I have used and fished out of both and a SOT is by far the best.  I have a wilderness systems Tarpon 120 with rod holders, milk crate, anchor trolley, etc.  i use it on the Upper James River for smallies and on some smaller streams.  A SOT is much easier to fish out of.  You don't get wet at all.  And most SOT are more stable than a sit in kayak.  Also, buy a GOOD quality paddle.  Most guys skimp on that and it will cost you.  Its like a good fishing rod.  Remember, that is your only source of propulsion so you want it to be light and comfortable.  If I were to get a yak for largemouth fishing, I would get a Wilderness Systems Ride 135.  It has a ton of room and is super stable.  I just like my 12 foot tarpon for manuverability in the tight flowing rivers I use it in. 

+1 on the SOT. I have a 10 footer Pelican Apex Angler. Definitely not the best fishing kayak, but it was the best I could afford.

Anyway, I had to go for a (forced) swim once. I am scared to think what would have happened if it was a sit-in 'yak. Keep in mind that I consider myself a pretty good swimmer. Trapped inside, upside down; the mere thought gives me chills.

Stability is ok, but I have nothing to compare it to. I guess it depends on the particular model. But, as I said, it turned turtle but once, and I have tried some crazy maneuvers on it. Also, I never paddled a 'yak before.

I do get wet a bit, mostly from water dripping in from the paddle. I always leave my trousers in the car, and fish in shorts, so that I can change and drive home dry.

I have only fished from a kayak a few times in the last two years. I have used a friend's ocean kayak something or another when I would go out with him. on Labor Day, I bought my own, an Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game, I can tell you this thing is rock solid. It is rated to carry 600#. They say you can stand in it. It has flat foot wells. I have not tried it yet. I took it out for the first time the Wednesday after labor day on a local lake. It was windy and the lake was a little choppy. I found my new kayak was able to cut through the chop with out issue, the wind did not turn it while paddling and it was easy to paddle into the wind. I was easily able to keep up with the others in the group of about 30. The last pic give you an idea of the chop. Not much but enough to make it interesting.

Here is my new toy

My wife and I use the sit on top Ascend 12 footers from BPS.  I have used both and went with the SOT because of the ease getting in and out on the river.  The water level flucuates here and we have to walk the rapids at low water levels.

I have tried the sit inside ones and got turned sideways against a rock.  The yak was full of water before i knew it.  If you want to stay dry you will did the skirt.  The same thing happened with the SOT and I got wet but was able to recover more easily.

id go with a 12' SOT

having a rudder is nice (and i highly recommend it) but not necessary.

i have a native manta ray 12' and i stay pretty dry by keeping the scuppers by my knees closed. you will get a little wet from the paddles but after paddleing for a while this will be minimal.

ive heard good things about:

wilderness systems - tarpon

ocean kayaks

Thanks for all the help guys. It looks like I am going to buy an Ascend from BPS in the next week or so.

The only problem now will be transporting the kayak.

I need to find a removable roof rack for my 3000gt and it's hard because it's a two door.

If anyone knows where I can get one I would appreciate it.

I got the roof rack for my car (97 Altima lol) from a car rack website. I don't want to give out a link, but look around and you'll find out. The length of the cross bars are specific to your car model. There are a few sites specializing in car racks.

I got my kayak rack from Dick's, also bought online. But there are several places you can get one from I guess.

I got the roof rack for my car (97 Altima lol) from a car rack website. I don't want to give out a link, but look around and you'll find out. The length of the cross bars are specific to your car model. There are a few sites specializing in car racks.

I got my kayak rack from Dick's, also bought online. But there are several places you can get one from I guess.

Do they make roof racks for two door cars?

i use a Pelican castaway SOT. i fish calm rivers and lakes and it works very well. very stable. the only wetness is sometimes from the paddle, or when boating a fish and they tail-splash you. i chose this boat because i wanted to fish and it came with 3 rod holders, it was fairly wide (stable), and it was in stock locally, i saved on shipping and bought a nicer paddle. you don't have to spend a lot on one unless you're going to put it through some abuse that is more harsh than regular wear and tear. i feel like i have already got my money's worth out of it. floating and fishing is oh so nice. you'll see what i mean.

p.s.-since this picture,  i have added stoppers to the scupper holes and removed the tape   

Foam practice golf balls = good scupper plugs.

I got the roof rack for my car (97 Altima lol) from a car rack website. I don't want to give out a link, but look around and you'll find out. The length of the cross bars are specific to your car model. There are a few sites specializing in car racks.

I got my kayak rack from Dick's, also bought online. But there are several places you can get one from I guess.

Do they make roof racks for two door cars?

I'm sure you'll find roof-racks for 2 door cars. There was a pretty exhaustive list of cars I chose my Altima from. Hell, I've even seen VW Beetles with roof racks (out on the road).

I got the roof rack for my car (97 Altima lol) from a car rack website. I don't want to give out a link, but look around and you'll find out. The length of the cross bars are specific to your car model. There are a few sites specializing in car racks.

I got my kayak rack from Dick's, also bought online. But there are several places you can get one from I guess.

Do they make roof racks for two door cars?

I'm sure you'll find roof-racks for 2 door cars. There was a pretty exhaustive list of cars I chose my Altima from. Hell, I've even seen VW Beetles with roof racks (out on the road).

Do you mind sending the link privately?

Ohio Bassmaster, check your PM.

Ohio Bassmaster, check your PM.

Thanks

Foam practice golf balls = good scupper plugs.

thats what i used, they are a perfect fit. I read somewhere about a guy that threads shoe laces through them to make them easier to remove. haven't done that yet on mine.