Recent canoe to kayak convert

I have been a canoe angler all my life and after a recent trip to Yellowstone where I couldn't convince anyone else in my family to join me in the canoe, I decided to switch over and make my life easier by getting a smaller boat. I got a cheap SOT (Pelican Tidewater 100) and have enjoyed it so far. I'm surprised at how quick and responsive the boat is, and I'm just getting comfortable with side-to-side play and such (Best to get used to that when the water is warm).

Anyway, after a couple years of lurking on the site, I figured I'd finally join.

Welcome to the site!

Welcome to the wonderful world of kayak fishing.  You'll find that a sit-on-top kayak is easier to paddle solo, handles wind better, and handles waves better than a canoe.  And if you flip over a sit-on-top kayak, all you need to do is flip it back upright, climb back on, and keep paddling, which is not the case with a canoe.

If you like fishing from a paddle kayak, try out a pedal kayak.  In a lake or the ocean, a pedal kayak lets you use both hands to fish, put on sunscreen, eat lunch, etc., while you pedal around.  And pedaling is easier than paddling because you're using the big muscles in your legs rather than your arms to move around.

And if you flip over a sit-on-top kayak, all you need to do is flip it back upright, climb back on, and keep paddling, which is not the case with a canoe.

No doubt. Over the weekend I intentionally tipped it several times. Both to find the point of no return, but also to practice getting back on. Much easier than a canoe!

I've been lusting after the pedal kayaks for years. I'd been saving up for one, but figured I'd rather spend the big bucks on something that the whole family can enjoy. But I fully expect to make that switch some day.