Welcome Guest Blogger, Jackson Kayak Fishing Angler,
Isaac Miller!
Jackson Kayak exploded at Outdoor Retailer this year with a
trailer full of never before seen kayaks. Then they brought out their
tried-and-true top selling fishing kayaks with new features that are sure to
please any kayak angler.
The
Coosa will come with a number of inserts to put this RAM
Revolution rod holder
If you already have a Jackson fishing kayak like a Cuda or a
Coosa, you’ll wish you had some of the new features these kayaks, and the rest
of the 2013 lineup, are featuring. Throughout the kayaks are small nut inserts.
You might not notice them right away as they’ll be capped off with plastic
screws to protect the threads from sand and other muck. Jackson Kayak paired up
with RAM Mounts to install these inserts and all the fishing kayaks will come
with at least one RAM Mount to install a rod holder where ever you desire. The
Coosa, Cuda 12, SUPerFISHal and Kilroy will come with one RAM rod holder, while
the Cuda 14 and Big Tuna will each come with a pair of RAM rod holders. Because
Jackson is using RAM Mounts on the kayaks, you can also install any of the RAM
accessories like GPS cradles, AquaBox waterproof boxes, and more.
GoPro Ready. You can remove the screw and place the GoPro
where ever you want, or not at all, and open up another insert for a RAM Mount
The kayak fishing fleet, as well as other kayaks from
Jackson, are all now GoPro ready. The same inserts can be used to install a
GoPro HD camera, with a mount already included. The kayaks do not come with the
camera though, so it will need to be purchased separately. If you don’t plan on
using a GoPro, remove the mount and you will be able to install a RAM Mount in
the same spot.
Saltwater fisherman love the Jackson
Cuda 14. It’s long and
fast, making it easier to get to the best fishing grounds in the least amount
of time. A common complaint, however, has been the flush mount rod holders
behind the seat. These flush mount rod holders have been a staple item since
modern rotomolded kayaks have been used for fishing. Flush mount rod holders
end up putting expensive saltwater reels right next to the water, where they’re
subject to all the effects that nasty saltwater can deliver. Jackson was the
first to listen to the cries of the saltwater angler and, for 2013, have
dropped the flush mount rod holders in the Cuda 14.
The Cuda 14′s new RAM Tubes are going to be a hit with
saltwater anglers. In the distance, the new shape of the rod top protector will
help make paddle storage quick and effortless.
Instead, future Cuda 14 owners will be rejoicing the RAM
Tube rod holders. Mounted on RAM ball mounts installed in the factory, the rocket
launchers will raise the reels 14 more inches above the kayak, keeping things
as dry as possible. The
Cuda 12 and Coosa will retain the traditional flush
mount rod holders. Those with a keen eye will also notice that the Rod Tip
Protector at the bow of the Cuda has been slightly redesigned. The bungies will
now better accept a paddle blade to park it when you need to focus on the
fishing without losing track of the paddle.
The Coosa, already the most popular fishing kayak on the
market, saw a few additional changes. While it shares the same GoPro and RAM
Mount readiness as the rest of the fleet, the front hatch has been flipped
around. In years prior, the front hatch also opened from the front of the
kayak. This made things difficult when trying to open the hatch while you’re in
the kayak. Now it’ll open from the seat area. The rod keepers on the front
hatch are now also taller, so it’ll keep rods staged right where you want them,
even in rough water.
The Jackson Cuda 12 was first shown off at ICAST last month,
but people lined up to give it a paddle at Outdoor Retailer. The shorter
version of the Cuda 14, the Cuda 12 offers all of the same features of the Cuda
14–multiple rod stagers, center storage hatch, Elite hi/lo seating, tackle
stagers, and more. The most obvious changes came from the front and the rear
where you’ll find a slightly smaller tank well area and a smaller front hatch.
This kayak is perfect for those that were looking for the speed of the Cuda 14
but not so much river-running agility of the Coosa. The Cuda 12 is a small
kayak that tracks straight and continues to make a great platform for standing
up and sight fishing like all Jackson fishing kayaks.
The dashboard on the
Kilroy features more tackle staging
areas, RAM Mount, rod stagers, and a GoPro mount. Under the dash you can see
the rod storage tubes on the left. There are three more such rod keepers on the
right side of the kayak.
The Kilroy was built similarly to the Cuda 12. It features
the same hull as the Cuda 12 and features the same stand-up stability but
that’s where similarities end. This sit-in kayak was designed for fishing by
Damon Bungard. The Kilroy features tackle box stagers, storage for up to six
fishing rods, a removable mesh crate cover, fly line stripping deck, and a
removable dashboard towards the bow. The dashboard features the same inserts
for RAM mounts, GoPro ready, tackle storage areas and foam fly patch. If you
like cast and blast fishing/hunting trips, this will probably be one of the top
kayaks.
Featuring the same RAM mounting points and GoPro readiness,
the
SUPerFISHal is a stand-up paddleboard made for fishing.
Drew Gregory shows off the super-stable, yet very fishy SUPerFISHal.
Even I was able to do the same thing and I had never been on a SUP before.
The SUPerFISHal seems to have all the stability in the world
and one can instantly become comfortable walking around and fishing from this
SUP. At the front and rear, the SUP has straps to secure your tackle and
cooler, not flimsy bungies. These straps will make keep your gear more secure.
The SUPerFISHal also comes with plenty of capacity to haul everything you’ll
need for overnight trips down the river too.
It doesn’t matter how you like to fish,
Jackson Kayak has
something for everyone now. Kayak fishing is made easier with kayaks that are
pretty much rigged and ready to fish before they even leave the factory.
To begin with, I found myself being intimidated by all the choices for gear and tackle. As a woman in this sport I believe that you have to be willing to listen, learn and ask questions. So, to decide on my first rod, reel and tackle I took the suggestions made by our local tackle shop. Picking out the rod and reel are one thing, but the tackle seems endless! What size hook do I use? Do I use bait, a lure...or both? Do I use a float? Although I was embarrassed the first few times to admit I didn’t know when to use or how to use such tackle any good tackle shop should be able and willing to help a woman understand how to use what they are buying.
