SOT or Sit inside Yak for fresh water?

[kynate]

I appologise if this is a goofy question.
I was almost ready to buy a malibu extreme to fish medium lakes and small lakes in western ky/southern ind; but I had a salesman locally tell me that I don't want a SOT because I'll be wet all day. He suggested the old town predator k140? He said SOT are for ocean, estuary fishing only. Not suited for this area? What do you guys say?

[kynate]

I appologise if this is a goofy question.
I was almost ready to buy a malibu extreme to fish medium lakes and small lakes in western ky/southern ind; but I had a salesman locally tell me that I don't want a SOT because I'll be wet all day. He suggested the old town predator k140? He said SOT are for ocean, estuary fishing only. Not suited for this area? What do you guys say?

[BravesWin]

I'd say, unless you're trying to fish whitewater rivers (which is rather challenging while floating), he doesn't know what he's talking about.

Yeah, you will likely get wetter than in a SIK, but you're also safer and have a better chance of recovering your boat if you should fall out. SOTs won't likely get submerged and pinned in a logjam.

Staying dry in your SOT is more a function of the clothing that you wear than of the dryness of the boat. There are a number of ways to stay dry including waders (I'm not going to address how you stay safe in waders - that's been discussed and debated ad naseum on this board). The key point here is you want to dress to swim, because, in either boat, there is a chance that you might. If you do that, you'll be warm and dry on a SOT. If you don't do that in either boat, then fall out, you're talking potential hypothermia.

I paddle local rivers and lakes every week all year around and stay warm and dry most of the time. In the summertime, when the water is warm, I sometimes prefer to stay wet. Put scupper plugs in your SOT and your boat will stay relatively dry. Keep a sponge in the cockpit to sop up the paddle runoff and wave splashes.

[JonS]

For starters you have to consider where this advice is coming from and if it is worth anything. Does the salesman you're speaking with fish and does he fish from a kayak? Or is it simply that he wants to sell the inventory that he has on hand? These are important questions because in the grand scheme of things you need to ascertain if there is actually any value to the advice given. Too many newbies make the mistake that the salesperson actually knows anything about fishing from a kayak because they sell them.

If the answer is no to the above questions then it might be a good idea to run, not walk, out the door because you're about to be SOLD. If the salesman doesn't fish then you know a lot more about kayak fishing then he does. Learning how to handle a fishing kayak takes a day or two. Learning how to fish takes considerably longer.

I use a SOT all the time in fresh and there are so many things and enviroments that I fish that I couldn't with a SIK. The limitations of a SIK don't change because the water is sweet and the scenery's a bit different. You still will many situations where you'll want to get out of the kayak easily and that's not what SIKs are about.

[joeykayak]

Pop some scupper plugs in and you be as dry as a SIK.

[Esox]

I have 2 SOT for freshwater fishing, they work fine up here and are more versatile than the Sinks.

[bassmanpete]

The salesman sounds like he is repeating "conventional wisdom" Ask him if he fishes from a SINK. I bet not. I bet he doesnt fish at all.

He is flat out wrong. A SOT is more versatile. If you don't want to get wet, dont fish from a yak. I was out in my SOT yesterday in 39 degree water. I never got cold, other than my hands cause of the 15mph winds a few times, but then I put my gloves back on.

I did get out twice to tip the boat up and drain paddle drip and splash water out of the footwells, but it was no big deal. I do use scupper plugs in the back 2 scupper holes in the cockpit.

IMHO, the main limiting factor for using SOT boats for freshwater fishing is length. Most SOTs are long and designed for open water: bays, estuaries, salty stuff and lakes. I fish moving rivers where more than 12 feet of boat is hard to maneuver through tight chutes and drops in ledges and rapids. But the Caper and Tarpon 100 are perfectly sized for flowing water.

[Agent]

Like you I considered a predator, nice boat, but ended up with a t-100. Use it on lakes and rivers, only get wet from paddle drip, have no regrets. I don't have a lot of experience, but the ex maybe to much boat for what you want, if you like malibus, maybe the pro ex would be a better choice, certainly a caper or t120 would be fine. The shorter yaks manuver better. Also SOT'S have tankwells and they are a great feature, your gear is right there to access.
Good luck deciding, it ani't easy http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif

[Bernie]

I started with SIS's-Pungo classic then the Pungo 140.While these and some other SIS's are fine for fishing SOT's do have advantages even if only used on FW.First off,the eX is as dry as any SIS so forget that issue at least as far as the eX is concerned.What he said does hold true for some SOT's but there are plenty that are nice and dry untill the waves really kick up.Then you get wet no matter what your in.As to that Predator your dealer suggested.I guarentee you it's a barge by comparison to a Pungo or OT's Loons,etc.Just look at the specs/hull design.It's really designed as much or moreso for hunting-carrying a dog,dekes,etc than for fishing.If youd prefer a SIS than get something more performance oriented like a Pungo 140 or one of the OT Loons but forget the Predator.That said,id still recomend an SOT to start and maybe add a SIS later on.Good luck!

[bassmanpete]

The Predator is basically a Loon, just with a few extras

[sidvicious]

he's full of it, plain and simple. i recently had the exact same line thrown on me.

it is likely because of the line he carries. i'm guessing, but would assume that old town has not sot except the strange "hybrid" that they tout. i may be wrong, but even so, the salesmen of this brand spout the same gospel.

if it hasn't been mentioned yet, i think on this site is some good articles on sot v. sinks.

sot's are the way to go for fishing, period. unless however, you are the truly expert kayaker that never capsizes, has 360 degree hip rotation, and virtually no need for storage. if so, then the sink may be the way to go.

i'm new to kayaking, but not to fishing. go read the articles on this site; very informative. go sot.

sv-

[sikguy]

You can use either a SIK or a SOT for fishing, there are no hard and fast rules. It is your preference. I have a SIK, a OT Loon 138. If I used it primarly for fishing, I would prefer a SOT. It is easier to get to your "stuff" if it is not tucked under the deck. If you can try before you buy that would be the best thing to do. If you do want a SIK I would recomend the Loon. The cockpit opening is larger than most SIKs, and it is very stable, it is hard to get it to tip over. Of course, stability is influced by many factors, not just hull design. Getting in and out in the shallows is really not a big deal, not as easy as sliding off a SOT, but nothing to be afraid of either. The placement of exterior fittings, rod holders, FF, etc is also an issue to consider, especially if you want to use a spray skirt. I made a device that slips under the front rigging that has a holder on each side, and other stuff can be mounted on when the time comes. I plan I going kayak camping this summer, the Loon has lots of room under the decks for lots of "stuff", which will sit in the boat lower than on a SOT. The Loon is a "pick-up truck" of a boat, but is nice to paddle. Sorry for rambling, but the question is, is this going to be a dedicated fishing kayak? If it is, look for a SOT. If it going to be a general purpose/recreation kayak, consider a SIK. One other thing, if you do ever use it in "white water" when you see the front of the boat go under a wave, and watch the water roll off the deck, and feel the water push the boat around through the seat of your pants, the "way cool" factor will fall on the side of the SIK.