From the smallest creeks to the open ocean, there is a Jackson Kayak for that. Big water, skinny water, fast moving water, paddle or pedal, Jackson Kayaks consistently rank among the top brands on the market.
Despite having rigs that are ready for large water, where Jackson really shines and where they receive the highest praise from kayak anglers is river fishing. If fishing rivers and creeks is your main style of fishing, a Jackson kayak is what you should be seeking out. Before we break down a few Jackson kayaks, let's look a a few features that set their kayaks apart.
Storage & Rod Staging
Bow and stern storage hatches, or open storage, provide storage solutions for all of your important gear. The bungee system in the stern helps secure more gear and accessories like fishing crates, coolers or bags.
Mark IV Flex Drive
Jackson is often referred to as one of the best river kayak brands available. A large reason why is the Jackson Flex Drive. The Mark IV is an updated version of the previous pedal drive and is quicker, quieter and more durable than its predecessors.
Where the Jackson Mark IV really sets itself apart from the competition though is its ability to retract into the hull. When you happen upon unsuspected debris or shallow water, the Flex Drive will kick itself up into the hull, making rivers less of a concern for a pedal drive kayak.
Accessory Tracks Everywhere
An underrated, and often overlooked, feature of a fishing kayak is how much accessory track is available and where it is located. From the Jackson Bite to the Jackson Big Rig FD, accessory tracks are conveniently located throughout so you don't have to leave any gear behind.
EZ Hi-Lo or Comfort Seat
One of the most basic parts of your fishing kayak can also be one of the main factors of how long you stay on the water. Your seat will make or break your day. A few attributes play a large role in how comfortable your kayak seat is: Elevation and adjustability.
Jackson's EZ Hi-Lo (patented) seating system allows you to raise and lower your seat with one hand. In our Big & Tall podcast, we talked about how important an elevated, comfortable seat is. Elevated seats also allow you to stand and sit much easier than a traditional kayak seat.
Depending on the model you choose, your kayak may have Jackson's Comfort Seat. The comfort seat is a generously padded comfort seat with a newly designed ergonomic bend ot the back and a robust frame.
Hull Designs Meant to Cut Water
Jackson kayaks are crafted for maximum speed, stability, handling rivers or big water and tracking in any weather or water conditions. Jackson kayaks have a V-shaped front to help knife through current and rolling waves. They track well on a straight line and don't sacrifice maneuverability while maintaining stability. If you plan to fishi n current, the Jackson hulls are built for the challenge.
Jackson Kayak Lineup (colors subject to change)
Jackson Bite Angler Fishing Kayak
Length: 11'6" | Width: 35" | Weight: 74lbs | Carrying Capacity: 400lbs
The Bite performs to the high bar of paddling and stand-to-fish standards associated with the Jackson Kayak name. New for 2021, the Bite Angler has been upgraded to the Comfort Seat, which is the perfect combination of breathability, drainage, and comfort in a framed seat not traditionally found on price point kayaks.
The open-concept deck gives the angler one of our roomiest platforms to stand and fish. Ample storage fore and aft, paired with our updated bungee attachment system which prevents water from seeping into the hull, means there is plenty of storage space. The Bite Angler is the perfect combination of comfort, smart and innovative design offered as a great value for anglers. It's at home across a diverse variety of waterways including small lakes and rivers, ponds, streams, and inshore saltwater.
$1,099
Length: 12'2" | Width: 35" | Weight: 90lbs | Carrying Capacity: 425lbs
New for 2024, includes our EZ HiLo Seat Slider System. Bow To Stern track systems, rigging solutions, and storage pockets molded in along the entirety of the boat allow the modularity for you to rig for your adventure without limitation.
Customize your fun with more room! Additions like the fully trimmable seat pan, and our Strap Down Gear Track for 360 storage security make the YuPIK the most versatile kayak on the market. Be sure to check out our Hawg Trough Fishing Accessory Tray for even more options on the water!
$1,549
Length: 11'8" | Width: 36" | Weight: 98lbs | Carrying Capacity: 425lbs
Jackson Kayak deepens its roots in river fishing with this updated take on the Coosa line. We’ve taken our extensive knowledge of hull design for moving water and combined it with input from our fishing team to create a true JK Team Signature Watercraft, the Coosa X. The Coosa X is stable, maneuverable, easily rigged, and comes with tons of new and innovative features.
This is the ideal kayak for adventure river trips, kayak camping, river fishing, small lake and pond hopping, or exploring small creeks and tributaries. With added volume in the bow for river running and moving water, and a deck laid out to meet a variety of rigging needs, the Coosa X is designed to be the best river and small water fishing kayak we have ever made.
$1,999
Length: 11'6" | Width: 35" | Weight: 96lbs | Carrying Capacity: 400lbs
The Bite FD is a pedal kayak designed to provide high performance while requiring little maintenance. Built on the same Bite hull that refused to compromise performance, gear management or quality despite its economical price point, Jackson Kayak’s Bite FD doesn’t cut corners.
The perfect combination of comfort, versatility and innovative design that will make adventures accessible for any water enthusiast. Ready for fresh or saltwater, the Bite FD can handle a variety of waterways. Best suited for small lakes, ponds, slow moving rivers and inshore saltwater.
The new Flex Drive Mark IV (Patented) is the product of four years of constant evolution. The latest version of our amazing Flex Drive is faster, quieter and more durable than ever before.
$2,699
Jackson Cruise FD Fishing Kayak
Length: 11'10" | Width: 33" | Weight: 89lbs | Carrying Capacity: 400lbs
The Jackson Kayak Cruise FD expands on the Flex Drive Mark IV family of kayaks with a solid recreational platform that is quick, nimble, and ready for casual touring. The hull of the Cruise FD is sharp and cuts swiftly, silently, and efficiently through any waterway (also makes for a sleek fishing kayak!).
Our Flex Drive Mark IV (Patented) is the product of four years of constant evolution. The latest version of our Flex Drive is faster, quieter and more durable than ever before. Perfect for inshore, lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers. Anyone looking to get out on the water and benefit from the simplicity of a kayak with the speed and versatility of a pedal drive.
$2,699
Jackson Coosa FD Fishing Kayak
Length: 12'7" | Width: 35" | Weight: 107lbs | Carrying Capacity: 450lbs
The Coosa FD combines the top-selling Coosa HD hull and deck layout with our innovative Flex Drive Mark IV System, which is uniquely engineered to retract the propeller into the hull when beaching or when running over submerged obstacles. Bringing all of these features together makes the Coosa FD a highly versatile fishing platform ready to fish “right out of the box”.
This hull performs beautifully on lakes, rivers, inshore, and even offshore salt environments. The combination of one of the best-designed all-around kayaks and the Flex Drive Mark IV makes this a leading combination for hands-free kayak angling in a wide array of waterways!
$3,549
Blue Sky Boatworks 360 Pro Fishing Kayak
Length: 13'4" | Width: 48" | Weight: 140lbs | Carrying Capacity: 500lbs
Ready to take your Blue Sky Boatworks experience to the next level? Introducing the 2024 Blue Sky 360 Pro! This boat comes rigged and ready to fish with features like a DC battery box, mounting options for either foot-controlled or transom-mounted trolling motors, a wide, open deck layout, and a steering skeg. Is this thing even a kayak?
Not all traditional fishermen could envision themselves pedaling to their honey hole and opted to stay on their power boats. The 360 Pro blends the functionality and features of a power boat with the sleek performance of the Blue Sky Boatworks line.
$3,849
Length: 13'3" | Width: 40" | Carrying Capacity: 550 lbs
The beloved Jackson Kayak Big Rig has returned, this time fully integrated with our Mark IV Flex Drive System. The Big Rig FD boasts an enormous capacity and is well-suited for lakes, large, lazy rivers and inshore saltwater applications. Bring all the gear you'd like - we're hauling it, with the Big Rig FD.
NEW for 2024! Jackson's EZ Hi-Lo (Patented) seating system takes comfort to new levels and allows you to raise and lower your seat with one hand. The latest version of our Flex Drive is faster, quieter and more durable than ever before.
Other features include four-hole bolt patter on stern for mounting, bungee-less bow design, rod management storage with tip protection, tons of gear track, and an included hatch bin for tackle storage in the hull.
$3,999
Jackson Knarr FD Fishing Kayak
Length: 12'7" | Width: 35" | Weight: 107lbs | Carrying Capacity: 450lbs
Working with a team of expert big water, big game, and big tournament anglers, designer Tony Lee hand-shaped the hull with their challenges in mind. The Knarr is crafted for maximum speed, stability, handling surf, and tracking in any weather or water conditions. This incredible kayak combined with the new FD Mark IV makes this our most efficient pedal kayak ever.
The Knarr is the ultimate kayak for everything BIG. Designed with big oceans, large lakes, and long-distance travel at its core. The hull is shaped specifically to handle big surf, big waves, big currents, and strong winds. The Knarr was built to handle all that big water will throw at it.
$4,199
Blue Sky Boatworks 360 Angler Fishing Kayak
Length: 13'4" | Width: 48" | Weight: 170lbs | Carrying Capacity: 500lbs
Ready to take your Blue Sky Boatworks experience to the next level? Introducing the 2024 Blue Sky 360 Angler! This boat comes rigged and ready to fish with features like a DC battery box, the new Flex Drive Mark IV (Patented) pedal drive system, mounting options for either foot-controlled or transom-mounted trolling motors, a wide, open deck layout, and a steering skeg. Is this thing even a kayak?
Perfect for large lakes, ponds, and inshore saltwater fishing. Roll right from the back of your truck to the boat launch. The dual hull design provides incredible stability even in heavy chop.
$4,999
Hooked! The Kayak Anglers Resource Podcast
Hooked! The Kayak Anglers Resource is your one-stop resource for all things fishing kayaks. Watch, listen and engage with kayak anglers like you. Our experts cover everything from kayak fishing for beginners, fishing kayak accessories to fishing kayaks with a motor. Whether you are new to the sport or an experienced kayak angler looking to learn new tricks, the Kayak Anglers Resource aims to help every kayaker of all levels of experience.
Hooked! Kayak Anglers Resource Community
It is easy to get wide eyes when dreaming of your perfect kayak setup. We see some of the craziest setups around in our line of work. But, those kinds of advanced setups with all the bells & whistles are not necessary for everyone. Sometimes, it is easier to take fellow kayakers' word for it rather than a retailers. That's why we created the Kayak Anglers Resource - a community of kayak anglers who share their experiences, ask questions and give honest reviews and assessments of kayaks and accessories. We can share our expertise until we are blue in the face, but a fellow anglers words often mean more.
Here a few great examples of how kayak anglers are helping other kayak anglers make better decisions on their purchases:
Social Channels & Website Links
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