Jesse, Take your time and do your research. I would check out the NWKA site for some ideas. I have gotten into fishing from an SOT kayak in the salt, and I wear one of two wetsuits I have. I would like to get a drysuit, but the one I like retails for $850. The new drysuits are very comfortable, but spendy. You can get a good wetsuit for much less.
Here the water is cold most of the time, and you must dress for the water. Right now the surface temp in the ocean here is around 50 F. I am wearing a 5mm (winter weight) O'Neil surfing wetsuit when i paddle here in the Harbor. I am probably going to get a farmer john wetsuit to wear with a "rash guard" and splash top (for better comfort when paddling, vs a full surfing wetsuit).
Both of my boats are roto-molded polyethylene, which is low maintenance and less expensive, but is heavy and has certain other drawbacks. They get soft in the sun/heat, and don't have the aesthetic quality of glass boats. However, you can kick 'em around more with less worry.
I have a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 and I like it. It is a solid, but heavy boat that paddles well, only 29" wide. Many SOT fishing yaks are wider for stability, but you lose paddling speed and efficiency in the tradeoff.
I would definitely check out the Hobie Mirage Drive SOT's, especially the 16' Adventure model, which is their largest, most seaworthy SOT. The Hobies are pedal driven, which leaves your hands free for trolling and casting. I am currently salivating over an "Adventure Island" model, which is the 16'er set up as a trimaran.
Generally, something around 13' or 14' is easier to maneuver and handle, both in the water and on the shore. The 16'ers are kind of beastly to handle roof-topping it, and have longer turning radii, but they come into their own when paddling any distance in bigger water and rougher conditions. My 14' Tarpon was a compromise between the maneuverability of a 12'er and the big water capability of a 16'er.
I agree with Alex about Werner paddles. They are among the best you can buy, and they're made right here in WA, in Sultan, I think. I also have a Werner Camano touring paddle, and I love it and don't regret paying the price at all. It has a carbon shaft and glass blade, and is really light, stiff, and tough. Lighter and stiffer is better.
I also have a Native watercraft Ultimate 12 hybrid canoe...which is a stable, low-profile canoe with a unique tunnel hull. I use this boat for the lakes, lower rivers, tidal creeks and protected backwaters. I can stand and cast in it, and it is highly maneuverable. I don't recommend it for deep, open water like the ocean, Strait, or any unprotected areas of the Salish Sea, but I feel OK taking into any coves or bays or inlets that are out of the wind.
