looking for a kayak recommendation.

Pat, I have never tried putting a rod in the Orbix hatch. Never really thought of it.

T140's are nice and plenty fast and stable for most people.  I think the T13 is a little dryer though.  I never store my rods either.  But if i'm going to surf launch and try and punch through waves, i'll take the reel off and store that, and zip tie the rod on the side of my yak where I normally stow my paddle. 

Some of the Cobras will meet your want list,

I'm not well versed in surf launch and landings (not even a little bit), and after having a rod snapped and a reel ruined on a fairly easy (looking) landing I always stow, even with ankle slappers.  just keeps rods outta the way on landing.

Get a T140 if you really like your T100.    But if you want a rod pod, T13.

No other models offer Rod storage to protect them during surf launch and landings?

99.99% of the ocean fishing that you will likely do in NorCal will not require in-hull rod storage. I have yet to encounter a situation where I need to store my rods in NorCal. The only place that I occasionally put my rods below deck is when I do beach launches at Windansea.

I recommend that you learn how to surf launch and land, and pick a comfortable kayak that is easy to cartop and paddle. If that kayak has a rod-pod...bonus.

I don't disagree in theory. In reality, rod storage can be good stupid insurance. When I launch I have control and I can just say no if it is too much for me. However, when landing you can't always control what the conditions will be. Things change and the unexpected can happen. Being able to stow my poles and not have my FF mounted on the edge of my kayak could come in handy some day. Whenever I go out I wonder how big the surf might be for the landing. I hope I never do anything stupid, but you know how that goes. 

Pat, I have never tried putting a rod in the Orbix hatch. Never really thought of it.

Yup, that was a major selling point for me when they redesigned the Tarpon.
I still remember walking into MBK in June 2009 with a fishing rod...opening the angled Orbix hatch and sliding in my Trevala. Then doing a few fistpumps, as employees & customers wondered what the heck I was doing. 

Before I bought it (after lots of research), I stashed my 7' one-piece rod through the middle hatch...just to make sure it would fit. That was the final straw---had to buy it after that. And the ability to easily store rods below deck was a major requirement for my new yak---necessary for rough surf launch/landings.

You can fit a 7ft rod inside the round Orbix center hatch of a T140 pretty easily.

If that works from 09 onwards they should be available on the used market, and only 5lbs heavier on the spec sheet. Definitely worth a look.

Pat, I have never tried putting a rod in the Orbix hatch. Never really thought of it.

Yup, that was a major selling point for me when they redesigned the Tarpon.
I still remember walking into MBK in June 2009 with a fishing rod...opening the angled Orbix hatch and sliding in my Trevala. Then doing a few fistpumps, as employees & customers wondered what the heck I was doing. 

Before I bought it (after lots of research), I stashed my 7' one-piece rod through the middle hatch...just to make sure it would fit. That was the final straw---had to buy it after that. And the ability to easily store rods below deck was a major requirement for my new yak---necessary for rough surf launch/landings.

I need to go do it right now.

But if i'm going to surf launch and try and punch through waves, i'll take the reel off and store that, and zip tie the rod on the side of my yak where I normally stow my paddle.

This works with any kayak...

Old Town Predator could be a good choice.  We like ours.  I've seen 'em offered up here used a few times.   

Pat, I have never tried putting a rod in the Orbix hatch. Never really thought of it.

Yup, that was a major selling point for me when they redesigned the Tarpon.
I still remember walking into MBK in June 2009 with a fishing rod...opening the angled Orbix hatch and sliding in my Trevala. Then doing a few fistpumps, as employees & customers wondered what the heck I was doing. 

Before I bought it (after lots of research), I stashed my 7' one-piece rod through the middle hatch...just to make sure it would fit. That was the final straw---had to buy it after that. And the ability to easily store rods below deck was a major requirement for my new yak---necessary for rough surf launch/landings.

I need to go do it right now.

Holy mackerel, this works! I just ran out to the garage to give it a try with my T140 and I was extremely surprised to see it does indeed work.

In my case I had to feed it towards the stern for clearance and rotate the reel into the hatch, but it worked! You guys are amazing!

That's why the hatch is angled! If you have a large reel, you may have to disconnect it from the reel seat. But that's pretty easy to do.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=67753.15

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=67753.15

I wouldn't want that kayak for anything non-coastal. I imagine that a solid black kayak + 100 degree days in direct sun = miserable.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=67753.15

I wouldn't want that kayak for anything non-coastal. I imagine that a solid black kayak + 100 degree days in direct sun = miserable.

Good point!  Cant imagine how hot it would be during the summer.   

Give Eddyline Caribbean 14 a demo eventhough it doesn't have a center hatch.  You can't go wrong without trying out the options.