EMOTION ADVANTAGE - The Review

Yes, you can fish from sit-inside cockpit boats too. I took it out to the boat ramp on the Courtney Campbell Causeway (Clearwater, FL) on a Saturday morning. My goal was to see how it paddled, and how well I could go through the motions of fishing from it, especially in a non_angler friendly environment (like at a boat ramp). Catching fish was secondary.

This boat didn't come with a rod holder, so I put a Scotty in front of the cockpit. I turned it around backwards so the rod could easily be accessed.

Length:12 ft. 7 in.
Width: 28 in.
Weight: 45 lbs. (approx.)
Weight capacity: 275 -325 lbs.


Here's mine ...




Here's the view from the cockpit ...




The thing that I absolutely LOVE about this boat is the accessible storage.

I have a small milk crate behind the seat:



The boat has mesh side pockets on either side of the cockpit - perfect for holding stuff close while keeping it tucked out of the way. I picked up these tackle tubes at Sam's Club. Awesome for kayakers, $6 each.


It also has a "glove box" that holds a Witz dry box (which comes with the boat). However, since I put the flush mount Scotty instead of the deck mount, I compromised the space. So I had to use a sandwich box. I'll eventually go back and put the deck mount on there, which will help get the rod a little higher in the rod holder, and allow me to use that nice dry box.


The boat also has a sealed rear bulkhead, with a hatch/cover. This is a great place to store one of those soft-side coolers from Sam's (loaded with "sports drinks" and bananas).

PROS:
- I found the boat to be very stable in the boat traffic at the ramp.
- It was very easy to fish from - no problems swapping lures, releasing fish (1 small trout, 1 lizard_fish_on_crack).
- It was very easy to paddle, no hull slap, handled waves and chop with no worries.
- The storage is great. The area back behind the seat is very easy to get at - much easier than a tank well.
- Getting in/out was easier than I thought it would be.

CONS:
- If you're used to a sit-on-top, the lack of elbow room takes some getting used to. A rod with a short butt is a must. Since I had a PFD on as well, the cockpit was a little snug for the angling movements I was used to from a SOT. For paddling, it was more than acceptable.
- No paddle keeper. I'll fix that easy enough though.
- It got HOT in there. No breeze for circulation, plus wearing a PFD, made for a toasty ride. But, it was bone dry. So, what makes it tough in the summer will make it awesome this winter.
- The seat isn't adjustable. However (for me) it was comfortable enough to a 3 hour paddle.
- Angling was never much of a consideration with this boat during it's design, so areas to place rod holders are few. Luckily the area above the cockpit will accept a Scotty base (2" x 4" footprint). Scotty's could also be mounted on the rear deck, but there's not a flat area to accept them gracefully. So, that limits you to one rod unless you're very creative.

I'm sure I'll use this boat a lot, especially in the cooler months.

From my experience with sit insides, fishing around the Texas Gulf Coast area, they aren't hot. I find I stay pretty cool as my legs are protected from the heat of the sun, plus, with the bottom hull of the kayak right at my legs, the water passing around the hull serves to keep things cool.

My rods are long handled 7 footers. I've no problem handling them from inside my Old Town Loon 138 or my Necky Sky 9.6. The Loon, especially, is easy to get into and out of, whether at the launch site or in 2+ feet of water. I carry up to 5 rods in Scotty, Tite-lock and two PVC rod holders. The Loon is roomy and comfortable. I spend 6-10 hours in my kayak when fishing and it serves me well.