For kayakers:

check out jackson kayaks as well. The Fun series if your looking slightly more for an all around boat that can still play and run. Or if you are more into play the Star series is great with still some running ability.

so any kayaks in particular? im leaning towards a displacement hull because i thing it would be easier to track and would make the boat more practical while i was in the lake. im looking for something long enough to keep up some speed, but short enough to endo. i also think a narrower boat would in general be faster which would make it something to look for but i realise its more dependent on running surface width.

You're going to buy a playboat and take it on a lake? Unless you're planning on being on flatwater to practice, a playboat's not going to like the lake.

so what do you reccommend?

after observing the wiki definitions, i think a river running boat would be best for me.

so like 7'6"x24"

how much you lookin to spend?

a used boat so probably a max of $600

prefferably less.

you still haven't really narrowed down exactly what you want to do. You say you want to be able to do rodeo tricks, but want a 7'6" boat? Again thats 2 different boats. I have a jackson 4fun river runner/play boat and its 6'4" (quite long because I am tall) but your average boat is going to be under 6'. It runs quite well, fast enough and can surf and in theory do trick though I have not good enough yet. If you are just getting into it I would suggest using http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Affiliate_view_ to find some local groups or shops. They often have demo and class nights that let you try out various boats and get some tips on what your looking for based on the paddling in your area. Most groups also have classified sections as paddlers are gear whores and constantly sell their older boats. Also if you are fresh into it take some proper lessons, it will speed up the learning process, be way less frustrating and make you safer/quicker. We regularly paddle with beginners and you can tell who has taken lessons and who hasn't. Do it for your sake as well as everyone elses.

nice

well after reading this i can tell u need some help, realy you say you want a boat that can do it all, so if you want a boat that can do it all your going to have to go with a planeing hull due to the fact that displacments blow at surfing. Right now im paddleing a pyranha ammo and i love it, its a great boat to do it all in. I would suggest this, a WS deisel 65, or if you want more of a play boat the liquid logic crossriver, like the guys above said, jackson makes killer boats but realy chooseing a boat that you want is gunna be hard.

what do you guys think about the dagger 9?

i know it cant do endos, but i dont really care.

also, should i stay away from boats wider than 26" or not?

Do you have any shops around you? Go in and talk to a dealer and sit in every boat you can (or rent a boat and meet up with a class/club paddle and trade with other people). You CANNOT just buy a boat based on spec's online. Its all about how it fits you, and what you will be running with it.