re: Opinions on fishing kayaks

Top brands?
Hobie, Native, Wilderness, Jackson to name a few and give you a place to start.

Decide whether you want a kayak that you can sit in or sit on... The ones you sit on are those with scuppers and are self-bailing.

Then decide how you want to get around: conventional paddle? Newer peddle style? Electric motor?

Then come up with a figure you want to spend: be sure to allocate money for the necessary accessories you will need ( PFD, anchor, paddle, etc.)

Once those 3 things are determined, you can start to narrow down what is best for you. For example:
sky's the limit on budget, you want a SOT and you like the peddles? Go with a Hobie or Native Propel.
Sky's the limit, a SOT but you'd rather electric motor? Add an Evolve motor to a Hobie ($$$) or look at the new Old Town Predator XL. Or you can add a bass yaks kit to pretty much anything. Also keep in mind the local guys- KC kayaks can sell you one wired for a trolling motor.