How to choose a kayak?

      When selecting a kayak, it is important to first determine the type of water you will be fishing or paddling.  By doing this, you can make your experience much more pleasurable by having the right 'yak for the job.  For the purposes of this article, I will be discussing a sit-on-top kayak and a hybrid kayak.
       If your goal is to paddle on calm, protected waters a hybrid kayak may be the choice for you.  To clear up the terminology here, a hybrid is a cross between a canoe and a kayak.  These have higher sides like a canoe but the manuverability of a kayak.  With this style, you get a bit more room on the inside to stack gear and, in general, a more comfortable seat.  I have paddled this style of kayak and enjoyed the storage and secure feeling of having sides around me.  The seat also made paddling for extended periods much nicer.  The main drawback on this 'yak is its lack of scuppers.  A scupper is a hole in the bottom of the kayak that allows water to drain out while you are paddling.  Typically, a sit on top kayak will have four to six of these scuppers strategically placed in areas where water can gather.  If you are paddling and are hit by a large boat wake or trapped in a rain shower, the scuppers won't allow water to accumulate.  Essentially, it is a self bailing mechanism for a kayak.  With a hybrid, you do not have these drains.  You must use a sponge or small hand pump to remove any excess water that becomes trapped on the bottom of your 'yak.  It is important to realize that with every paddle stroke you take, water drips into your kayak.  This may not seem like much but after paddling for an hour, you will notice the water that has accumulated.  Anyone who has paddled a canoe will be able to relate to the water that finds its way in but appreciate a nice seat and generous storage.
       A sit-on-top (SOT) kayak is more of the classic kayak except that the paddler sits on top of the 'yak instead of inside.  If you face rough or choppy water and like greater freedom of movement,this might be the kayak for you.  One inherent advantage to this is that the paddler has greater maneuverability since there are no real sides.  In a hybrid, you can only really face forward because of the sides keepng your legs positioned in one direction, but in a SOT, you can freely move your legs.  When you finish your paddle, you can simply swing your legs over the side into the water.  This may not seem like much, but when you are fishing, it is nice to have this option, and I prefer to be in this position while casting.  With scuppers in the yak', you can cross rough water and go through inclement weather without a concern of being swamped.  What you do give up with a SOT, is storage.  Your gear will be much more exposed to the weather since it is closer to the water line without the protection of sidse.  It is important to note that scuppers will let a bit of water into the 'yak so your gear will get wet on the bottom unless it is slightly raised or in a specifically waterproof container.  A SOT is perfect for a beginner since they are easy to paddle and give an easy way on and off.  Also, the angler will like the manuverability and relative easy of transport.
       When trying to decide between the type of kayak you should purchase, I highly recommend taking a test paddle on a demo day.  Your local kayak shop will usually have these in the early spring.  It all comes down to what feels best to you and in what type of water you would want to paddle.