Using that rod for 3 years for inshore redfish and specks and other such critters. Works great for me. If saltwater do make sure to lightly rinse your rod and reel after EVERY time on the water!
plumbob is right. Those safety rules go for any and every boat on the water. Thanks Troller for that great reminder!
On the subject of kayaks... this might take a few, but for those who might not be aware...
It's true that the kayaks of old required a lot of skill to make sure you didn't drown - ie, white water kayaking and the longer, sleeker touring kayaks of Eskimo lore. Those kayaks are still in use and require a higher level of skill, BUT...
Years, actually some decades ago, kayak mfrs started making "recreational kayaks" for the average Joe and Jody that are extremely stable and practically anyone can paddle without taking a swim (the hardest part is actually getting in and out!). And unless you stand up, do something really careless or get into extremely bad weather (which is unwise no matter what boat you're in), you have to TRY to turn these boats over.
And they've only gotten better, ESPECIALLY for anglers!
Today's fishing kayaks are ultra stable and there are hundreds of models and designs that fit any fishing situation you can think of. In fact, you can actually stand and fish from many of them (then there are those who have bigger cajones than me that go way off-shore to fish - nope, thank you ver' much ;-)
That being said, it's a great way to fish imho and it's so easy to pick up. Heck, I wasn't into fishing that much until one day I decided to take my old, used, yak, the one rod I had, some lures and hit the inlets around Virginia Beach. No net, no anchor, nuthin'. First day out caught 6 speckled trout, a spade fish, and couple of puppy drum. Few years later and I'm on a fishing forum yakkin' about yak fishin'. Go figure.
Anyway.. it might not be your thing, especially on bigger water. Totally respect that. But I do think it's worth a shot for a lot of folks. The sport is exploding for a reason! Good exercise, no gas, storage quiet, and you can get into really skinny water other boats can't!
Okay, sorry for long post. More than 'nuff said. tight lines and fair winds y'all!
Can't say much about open /deep water fishing, but if you're fishing inshore in the inlets and creeks, fish behave much the same way in streams and lakes. They love structure, whether grass, docks, or a depression in the bottom, etc. Like stream trout, they tend to face against the current and wait for an easy meal to pass by. Ie, always fish when the tide is moving. Those are just a couple things to keep in mind. But I think you'll find a lot of stuff you've learned over the years will serve you well on the coast!
Sorry for length, but here goes.
Imho it's tough to give you a straightforward answer bc there's several things to consider. This is a great place to start but you really might want to research the dozens of articles online, AND, if at all possible go to a local dealer that might let you demo.
That said, a few things to keep in mind.
Considering your size, the first thing to look at is capacity. You probably need a boat rated at least 350 to account for gear and have wiggle room.
For length. That depends.
1. what is comfy for you to sit in?.
2., what kind of water are you paddling in most of the time? Covering distance? Paddling around small lake?Still water? Swift rivers?
As stated, a longer yak will track better and paddle faster, but they're harder to turn. But That also depends on the design of the boat and the manufacturer. E.g., a 12 ft boat designed to stand in will be stable and tracks well, but they're wider, heavier and slower AND harder to turn than other 12 footers.
And then there's.... yeah, I'll stop there. But if I may...
As this is your first boat, do some research, paddle some boats, make your best guess and go for it. Labor day should have great deals going on bc it's end of season. Some places have demos for sale. Buying used is an option.
That all said, Try not to get wrapped up in getting it "perfect" for first boat. I think a lot of folks here would agree when you're starting out, the main thing is to get on the water and have fun. You'll figure out what works for you in time. Peace and tight lines!