My first strip kayak was a Night Heron and I used it for most of the things you described. I know that for me, the NH was the better of the two designs.

A low rear deck can certainly help make it easier to get in and out, however that is not the only consideration.

Some of the people I paddle with have trouble getting their knees to bend forward, let alone bend backwards. :-) They have no trouble getting in and out because their cockpit is long enough that they can straddle the kayak, sit in the seat and then lift their legs in. Hardly any bending required. :-)

Regardless of the size of the cockpit in the plans, you can make it any size you want. You can make it long enough to use the "arthritic, geriatric" method of entry or short enough that you need to use the "lubricate legs and slide in" method.

If you want to do a bit of light fishing from the kayak, you will find that the NH has a bit less tendency to immediately swing off line the instant you stop paddling.