I would go for a sit on top. My nephew fished out of a sit in kayak and here's the problems he has. There is very limited room for anything large like a cooler. If you have a fishing pole, you have to shove it in the cockpit hole with yourself and watch out for the hooks. Most times your going to get your feet wet getting in or out of one. His water bottle rolled down around his feet a couple of times while fishing, so he had to get out to get it. A sit on top I think would be easier to get on and off. Have room to strap a cooler. Can even mount rod holders. Oh and cooler weather, a sit in kayak may be like sitting in a refrigerator when the water is cold. Kayaks are very stable and are great on the water, so I'm not going to trash them. I do like canoes better because you don't have to worry about your stuff falling into the water, and you can pack lots of stuff in them. Besides they just look, cooler.