Big rig, cuda or coosa hd?

[joshw]

Looking for suggestions for a kayak. I know there are a number of Jackson users on this forum. Which would you recommend and why? I'm 6' and 215lbs and primarily would be using it on the fox and kankakee with a trip or two a year on the dupe and mazon. Initially I'm leaning toward the Big rig because of stability.

[Jonn Graham]

Big Rig weighs a ton. You sure are not going to want to carry the Big Rig very far or lift it up onto top of car/rack/etc. I would go with Coosa or Cuda due to weight. If you plan to keep this boat for awhile, the lighter boat will become more valuable as you get older.........................

[joshw]

It looks like the coosa is 70lbs, coosa hd 79lbs and big rig at 100lbs. Anything besides weight that would keep you from choosing the big rig? Is the coosa hd a better choice because of fish ability?

[Ben K.]

Have you fished from a kayak before? If not you really need to get out and demo one since stability is very subjective. The big rig may afford you more comfort on the water as long as you're willing to deal with hauling it around. A 100lb almost 14 foot long yak will not be fun to move, especially solo. Rocktown Adventures does a lot of demoing for Jackson stuff, and there are a few other good options if you're open to other brands.

[Terry Dodge]

Are you thinking of standing?

[Tim A]

Take a look at the NuCanoe Pursuit 14 as well...snag free rod storage, clean deck, good speed/tracking, stand up fishing. I don't own it yet but I wish!

[joshw]

Yes I was thinking about being able to stand up at times and fish. I agree 100 lbs is a lot but manageable. I would be open to other brands too. Have spent lots of time in canoes years ago and had no problems walking around in them as well as standing and fishing in moving water.

[Tim A]

http://www.onthewater.com/2016-fishing-kayak-canoe-buyers-guide/

[Terry Dodge]

Yes I was thinking about being able to stand up at times and fish.

 

if you plan to do any fly casting then you should probably take a good long look at the NuCanoe Frontier.

If only spin/bait casting then Jackson Coosa Or Cuda or Wilderness Systems Ride are all worth taking longer looks at.

As far a the Jacksons are concerned, if you plan to do quite a bit up-stream paddling then probably the Cuda is the best choice.

[joshw]

What makes the nu canoe a better fly option? I would be both fly fishing and fishing general tackle with probably more time spent with a casting rod over a fly rod.

[Ben K.]

I haven't fished the pursuit (its more narrow than the frontier), but I have a Nucanoe Frontier and it's freaky stable, you get a unobstructed deck so you're not snagging on stuff as well. I think its just a great all around boat and could go on and on about it. I know a handful of guys who fly fish and love their nucanoes. If you want to see them in action check out Ripples, and a year on the Kish from my channel

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOTsrpncUR6vr913-L-B_gA

[Terry Dodge]

What makes the nu canoe a better fly option?

I would be both fly fishing and fishing general tackle with probably more time spent with a casting rod over a fly rod.

 

More width.

Even with a casting rod it'll take lots of practice with a Coosa or a Cuda. Sure you can stand in 'em, but do you really need to?

If you like to carry a lot of gear (tackle, numerous rods, coolers, ect..) I would still have to recommend the NuCanoe. Otherwise you'll be buy new gear all the time.

But that's just me.

[Terry Dodge]

Your best bet is to do as Ben said and get a hold of Rocktown Adventure and they will set you up to test whatever yak you want.

They do deep runs in pools and they have a thing coming up in May > http://www.rocktownadventures.com/?tribe_events=midwest-kayak-fishing-symposium

[Jim J]

I own 3 coosas and had a few more as i was on the team.

 

i prefer the Coosa over the HD if you're considering the Jackson line.

 

its not just the weight when considering.

 

all the ones you mentioned are incredibly stable with the ability for standing if you'd like.

 

its all the issues that go with weight like awkwardness, quickness to get set and fish, car topping or trailer which I've done both of and love the trailer.

 

This is also about your style of fishing. Lots of tackle, rods and stuff or minimalist. Long floats and maybe camping or quick hitters.

 

for instance eric and I have totally different approaches to our styles. Eric was on Jackson but decided it wasn't his style and went to a much lighter, minimal style boat.

 

i am in Mexico but will be around later in the week if you'd like to talk.

 

lots more regarding standing etc.

 

overall getting a kayak gives you much more access to fish...

[ericg]

Looking for suggestions for a kayak. I know there are a number of Jackson users on this forum. Which would you recommend and why? I'm 6' and 215lbs and primarily would be using it on the fox and kankakee with a trip or two a year on the dupe and mazon. Initially I'm leaning toward the Big rig because of stability.

6-1" and (at least) 240 pounds here, I love my Coosa and find it plenty stable.

EricG

(not the Eric Jim is talking about)

[ericg]

to clarify, I don't to stand up on my Coosa, (have never even tried) I don't have very good balance and cannot manage to stay standing on a Stand-up-Paddleboard either.

EricG

[Tim A]

What makes the nu canoe a better fly option? I would be both fly fishing and fishing general tackle with probably more time spent with a casting rod over a fly rod.

As Ben said, the deck is one of the most snag-free on the market. And you know how fly line can find things to hug...

[joshw]

I'll have to check into the NuCanoe frontier 12. Maybe Rocktown will have one for demo...thanks for the suggestion.