Thinking about getting a T-Top for my boat but wanted some feedback from guys who have them before I pull the trigger. What brands do y'all prefer and what do y'all like and dislike about them? I'm leaning towards a Dolphin.

Mine is a K-Top and I really like it. Gives some shade from the sun and a place to get get out the rain. My K-Top is very secure and I like not having the tubes on the deck. Add some rocket launchers and spreader lights and you're good to go!

Negatives-

It can limit your casting area, but you learn to work around it.

It definitely adds some height to the boat, so watch your clearance, especially when your pulling into a marina slip with rods in the rocket launchers!

Dont Forget the SAIL effect when its a windy mofo...

Yes, it will blow the boat around and add some speed to your drift. And it takes a few mph off the top speed.

Thanks Kurtis ..I need to look at yours again before I decide.

Roman, you know I'm a drifting fool and like to fish the rollers! I got 7 socks on my new rig and 2 are 6ft cabellas...bring that wind, I'm ready homie! It's time to anchor up so won't be needing the socks till May.

You gotta potty mouth Roman.... LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

I had a Fishmaster on a previous boat and had nothing but problems with it. The brackets kept working loose and eventually the stainless bolts stripped out the aluminum brackets and I had to have the entire thing welded to make it semi-stable. It still "wobbled" a lot.
I had a custom top built for my Seaark and couldn't be happier. A bolt together top will be OK if you don't run in a lot of rough water.

I have a T-Top from the factory on my sailfish and couldn't be happier. Yes, it catches wind and can limit casting but you get used to casting around it and when drifting how important is casting really? Getting out of the sun is nice. Plus a dry spot to keep gear without having to "stow" it.

I have the rod holders on mine too including the two on the side.... I swear that when I'm drifting for cats the one to the side (drift side) always catches more fish! It's known on my boat as the lucky holder. Maybe it's the angle or being up higher or it's just my imagination. But I swear that holder always catches more fish and the bigger fish.

And when you're drifting in choppy conditions it provides something to hold onto.

Plus they make the boat look cooler. Ha! That's just my opinion and I'm drinking.

Those are more than reasonable trade-offs in return for some relief from the sun when you are in your boat all day.
Besides, if you are catfishing, you don't need to worry about running WOTback to the ramp like the bass guys like to do.

nope had one and hated it.

I've owned numerous boats with T-tops over the years. When I fished offshore I really liked the T-tops for trolling out of the rocket launchers and for additional tackle storage in the overhead storage box. Now that I live inland and catfish lakes by anchoring or drifting I prefer not to have a t-top. I find that it gets in the way far more than providing anything other than minimal shade, wind drag when towing, and a place for snagging casts. They do make a boat look cool but cool don't catch fish. I keep two Life Guard umbrella's stored under deck for mid-day heat retreat. I just fold them up and stab them in a rod holder and huddle under while escaping the mid-day sun if I'm still out that late. Just my 2c... That is a good looking top you have pictured Gato!

Was thinking the rocket launchers would work real good for my planer boards when I control drift out the back...was also thinking the t-top would help me see my graph much better. my new helix 12 mega is hard to read in bright sunlight and with as much time as I spend looking down at my graph, I figured the t-top would help solve the issue

Great point on the planer boards! I've not experimented with the planers yet. I'm still in pubescent stages of drifting for blues. I'm an old salt just making adjustments to my new environment. I did fish with Spud awhile back and he spoke in depth about using the planer boards. He also has a very similar t-top to the one you posted. You might be on to something.

It does help with the graph. I have one on my boat and like it for that and some shade. I'm not sure if I would get another one, I have been thinking about selling it and going with a bimini when needed. It does get in the way of casting off the back deck at times, but I don't really cast that much. There are trade offs, one just has to weigh the good and bad to best suit your personal use.

Another advantage of having a t top is that you can put some led light strips (with a simmer control) on the frame and have some great overhead lighting for night fishing. I also put some small flood lights on the front and back of the top.

I have Lumitec LED floods on the front and back of mine. You can switch them between red and white light and those puppies light up the entire deck like daytime. They aren't cheap, but quality seldom is. I went overboard rigging my boat out with the best stuff I could find because I'm planning on keeping this boat for the duration and when I buy something, I only want to buy it once.
There are guys on here that will install light strips on your boat for not an awful lot of money and those are probably OK. Just remember that you get what you pay for, sometimes less, but never more.

A $365 Bimini Top would be Better.

This is where I'm leaning, less weight, folds down, more shade, and removable if needed.

And the straps will really interfere with casting. But, to each his own. It's gets down to what you are willing to compromise.

I have a Bimini but with all my rod holder and bait table on my gunwale it's not good. Don't like the straps on my bimini and don't want to jockey around them when fighting big fish. I fish alone most of the time and when I hook up with 3-4 fish at one time it's hard enough orchestrating them into the boat without having to deal with Bimini straps.

That is one of the good points of a t top. I like being able to circle the boat with no obstructions if needed when I have a big fish on.

yep, to each their own. Both create their own set of hardships that a person has to adjust to. Enjoy whichever you decide.