Kayak for fishing - sit on or in?

[melk]

Hi,
Due to various right leg problems, knee and hip, I don't think my Heritage sit in kayak will work for me fishing. I've read that sit on tops are easier to get in and out of. Now, I found a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 on Craigslist. I would doing primarily fresh water, small to medium lakes, a few rivers. Does a unit like this make sense. I'm going to try drylanding in and out of the sit in before I drive 2 hours to see the other one. Now that I'm retired I need to make up all that lost fishing time! Thanks for any thoughts.
Mike

[FishnDave]

I have fished out of both. My opinion is that sit-on-top kayaks are the better choice for anglers. Sit-ins are better for serious kayaking.
With mobility impairments, sit-ons ARE easier to get in and out of.

[Flyfish Dog]

I got the Tarpon 140 and its been a good one but also I would recommend the Commander to. If that 120 Tarpon is good deal then dont hesitate getting it. SIT kayak is not for you if have any sort of issues with your body.

[djo]

As far as I can tell the only disadvantages to a SOT are weight (that Tarpon 120 weighs about 70 lbs while my 18' SINK kayak is 42 lbs) and the lack of protection from extreme weather. If you are using it on warm days and can handle the weight, the 12' Tarpon should be a great fishing platform.
David

[O. Mykiss]

I've got a sit inside, but no mobility problems. Getting in and out is still tricky when the bank is steep. Still, it is light, easy to paddle, can handle moderate whitewater, and I can lift it on top of my truck by myself. I can't do that with a sit on top, it's too heavy.

Some of the sit one tops lack back support. You don't want one like that.

[NewTyer 1]

The 120 is an awesome fishing platform and if you can get a good deal on one, grab it

[jszymczyk]

I own a Tarpon 120 and it is an excellent fishing vehicle. Depending on how old and what condition it is in, Get it. The recent model years of the Tarpon have probably the best, most comfortable kayak seating system ever devised. I've fished while breaking ice, in 100+ heat, and everything in between. Most SInK owners are hesitant to admit the FISHING advantages of a SOT for some reason. I've fished from both SInks and SOTs and the fishing benefits of a SOT completely blow away the SInKs.

[Linecaster]

I have a Pesacador 12 from Acadamy sports and it has the hull of the old tarpon 12. It is a wonderful platform for fly fishing. I am 69 yrs young and not very agile @ 5' 10 " and 235 lbs. If the Tarpon is is good condition jump on it.

[melk]

Thanks all for the thoughts. Now, after looking and comparing weights, capacity, etc etc, I think we're going to go with a NuCanoe. Stable, I can put a trolling motor on, lots of room, looks to be easy in and out.
So, now we'll go up to the place an hour or so from here and see about trying one!
Thanks again,
Mike

[Gigmaster]

If I might make a suggestion, it is possible to have the best of both worlds.

I own a Pelican SIK, and it is set up for fishing, but my favorite 'yak' is my Advanced Elements Convertable Inflatable Kayak. It only weighs 47 pounds, can be carried in the trunk of your car, inflates, and sets up in less than 10 minutes, can be set up easily for either one, or two people, can be used 'open', like a canoe, or with the zip in spray decks, as a SIK for one, or two persons, and I can use either the drop stitch floor for stability (you can even stand on it), which makes it handle like a really light Jon Boat, or the backbone, which makes it out-perform all but the most expensive sea and racing kayaks. I use the backbone most of the time. I don't know what it's rated for, but I regularly go through Class V rapids in it with little trouble (it's just a little long, at 15', for a whitewater boat). I even bow fish from it (carefully, of course). Check this out:



I have had all kinds of kayaks, and canoes, and this is by far the absolute best boat I have ever been in. It even has a sail-rig available for it (but I don't know why...you don't need it. This boat makes 5 knots without even working up a sweat). It performs at least as good as any hard-shell, and better than a lot of them.

Just my 2 cents........