Great review showing pros & cons! I have an older '09 Ride 135. The Coosa will be my next purchase. I'm a small fella standing at a mere 6' 1" & weigh 260 lbs.
I also have an FD. I didn’t like securing my rods with the bungee either, however, I found that when I have a rod holder installed in the gear track, just beside the steering control. I can place rod in the hole upfront and between the rod holder and seat in the back. Works great. I prefer using the included rod holder which is sorta like a pipe and tilt it vertically to pop my rod in when changing lures or handling fish or...
I had been waiting anxiously for the Coosa FD to hit the market, but, when I finally got to play with one, I found the pedal drive to have much more friction than other pedal yaks. That and the weight were the reason that I went to a Native Manta Ray Propel. It tracks great, it's light, fast, and it paddles well when shallow. To me it was the best of all worlds.
Excellent video ! With the proliferation of these high level kayaks, now that there are so many different brands and models, and it's no longer a novelty - price collusion (which is after all what keeps all of their prices so ridiculously high) should be smashed over time. The first brand that offer a complete outrigger snap-on kit as standard with their yak will get my money. Yes, I know PVC can get the job done, but it's cringe-worthy to have to do on such an expensive toy. I'd like to stand up every now and then to fish if I'm going to spend significant time on the water, especially if the water gets choppy.
Hey I’m am looking to buy a pedal kayak for fishing, im debating between the Vibe Shearwater 125 and the Jackson Bite FD. I fish in pretty shallow and grassy waters, and am not too concerned about the speed or stability. Any suggestions?
I like my Coosa FD... I think Hobie makes a great kayak. I (like Tony) primarily fish on flats and my buddy in his PA14 sometimes has challenges going in places that I can get to... or he has to go the long way around and I can cut through.
My thoughts: I wish they have made it exactly 12', because that's the room i have in my van. I can't lift it above the van (too heavy for me), and I don't want to tow a trailer.
Great review! I have the same boat. Your drive should come up farther when in the stowed position. You shouldn’t be able to fully close the hatch. Does yours have the scupper wedges?
I am wondering about how thick is the rudder? It looks to be about an inch or so thick. If it is that thick won't it slow the forward movement by creating unnecessary drag?
Seems like they would have placed the hinges on the rear hatch cover at the rear making it easier to get in the rear hatch when you are on the yak. Looks cool though. I've never fished from a kayak.
I am interested in your kayak carrier that you have on your truck. I am getting a kayak real soon and it will sit in the truck bed also. I really like what you did there. Is there a video on that?
Is there a web site to purchase this kayak please link the products you are reviewing it really helps! Who knows I might have pulled the trigger on this one ! Great review ! Un bias which is reel ...nice thanks.
Great review Tony, I have a Jackson Cuda , I am possibly thinking about one of these kayaks in the not so distant future, if I may ask about how much did you pay?
Huge question you didn’t answer about any pedal kayak...how does it paddle? I love the way my Slayer Propel paddles and I know the Hobie PA is a tank to paddle. Haven’t heard any thing about this one.
For it's width and weight, it doesn't paddle all that bad, but by all means I wouldn't spend a day paddling it. If you're too shallow for the drive it is easy to get yourself around by paddling. Just be sure to have your drive all the way up when paddling to decrease the resistance.
Likely the control cable/handle needs adjusting, as you can clearly see there is a lock in position for rudder controller, pretty sure I can see grub screw clamps next to it.
Hey dude cool review, I took 1 out for a demo before I got my pro angler. I really didnt like it because of the slide tray under the seat and the seat itself and the hatch above the prop. To me it seemed like Jackson just slapped together a kayak to compete with hobie.
mike winans thanks for the feedback! This and a Hobie are 2 different animals in my opinion. 2 completely different propulsion systems. It definitely competes with other pedal drives though with the ability to pedal shallow.
Tony Acevedo yes dude I agree. It differently does have that ability to pedal shallow, that was the only plus for me. But with the mirage drive you can also go shallow with as well. You just have to do like a half or even quarter push on the paddle and your good to go. When I am in the shallows fishing for reds I'm standing. So I use the bungee cord that comes with the kayak and keep the flippers up. In that situation I just use my paddle as a pole to push myself around. The Jackson is still a decent kayak and yes to different animals but both trying to do the same thing. Either way their both good kayaks and as long as they get you to the fish that's all that matters 👍
Good grief. You can buy a Twin Troller X-10 that comes with the duel protected & hidden salt water grade MotorGuide trolling motor heads and the twin pedals that operate & steer the boat. The $3000 base-model Twin Troller is ready to go, all you need is a battery. The battery lasts all day. You can also mount a small outboard motor in the transom to go farther faster. I bought A Twin Troller in October of 2016.......it has exceeded every expectation. Worth every dollar. It floats & operates in only 7 inches of water, and 2 anglers can stand or sit & fish all day. No paddling or peddling needed at all. 2 anglers can't even capsize a Twin Troller if they tried. No kidding. I bought my own 3.5 hp Tohatsu outboard to add on, and I couldn't be happier with my set-up.
Lawrence........Wow.....seriously???.......First off, that has got to be the most childish & lamest excuse leveled against the Twin Troller I've seen yet. Secondly, no "bath tub" looks like a pontoon hull. Don't get me wrong, I think kayaks have their place in fishing, but they are a craft that everyone has to accept the fact you better "dress to get wet" and the seating position is so limited, many guys can't handle fishing a kayak all day, without killing their backs. I don't see any kayak anglers laughing when I'm passing them up out on the water, and fishing totally hands-free, sitting or standing, 1 or 2 people, and the seats spin 360 degrees. The ONLY thing I have against anything to do with kayaks, are these models costing well over 2 grand. And 3 grand OR MORE for any kayak is absolutely insane, when a Twin Troller comes STANDARD with the duel MotorGuide trolling motor heads that are totally protected up inside the pontoons, and the pedals that operate them. Frank Jones knocked it out of the park when he invented this boat. The hull is practically indestructible and roto-molded/seamless. 1 man can use the custom dolly made for it, to roll it to and from the water to vehicle. 1 man can slide the TT in and out of a pickup truck with ease. Got a compact car? Simply go buy a small trailer from Harbor Freight for around $400 bucks, like I did. ( I drive a 2000 Tacoma 4x4......I simply prefer to trailer my Twin Troller most of the time. ) Not only that, I carry along 8 rods & reels in my Twin Troller with no problem whatsoever. Go research all the TT owner's testimonials, who bought kayaks first, including Hobie Pro Anglers.......only to discover the Twin Troller later. They sold those kayaks. Guys like myself have owned full size bass boats in the past. I just can't go as fast or as far as a big bass boat. Other than that, I don't miss my bass boat one bit.
l like the Jackson coosa FD Drive fishing Kayak an l like the paddle but is to high could it make it for a mid git person to paddle on shore low tide could they make storing baghold like put fish in so the fish do not die on the way back home how much do they have a store in Asian HONG KONG
jayrough dude I have a hobie pro angler 14. I took that Jackson out as a demo for a day of fishing. I ended up buying the hobie, I just like it so much better. It tracks better and you have a lot more space for storage.
jayrough yeah dude go with the hobie, to me the only down side so far is the price tag. I seriously saved my overtime and tax return money for a couple of years to get 1 lol. I got mine in March and still very happy I did.
Jackson doesn't require to sell your first born. I like the hobie hull . But not the drive. And now the big rig has the Flex Drive. Which is more comparable to the hobie. And rod tip protection in the hull is nice. Especially if you use highend rods.
drive problems, weak components... bolt on carry handles that are going to rip out... and i'm not convinced the multi-part prop is a good thing... -- i'll wait until next year, doesn't seem to be a better option.
Nicholas Cordero I mention a few points during the video. Im not a fan about the seat construction, the tray under the seat, the rod tip protectors, and the tracking.
I have an outrigger kit (Expandacraft) .com and sell a bunch of them to guys with this Hobie so they can mount a gas motor on it and go fish WAY off shore where you shouldn't be in a kayak. But hey, dudes gonna do what a dudes gonna do.
This review is all about the performance of the Jackson Coosa Flex Drive Kayak. Here's a link to see the range of prices that this kayak sells for: www.google.com/search?q=Jackson+Coosa+Flex+Drive+Kayak+price&oq=Jackson+Coosa+Flex+Drive+Kayak+price&aqs=chrome..69i57.2213j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
I have an outrigger kit (Expandacraft) .com and sell a bunch of them to guys with this kayak so they can mount a gas motor on it and go fish WAY off shore where you shouldn't be in a kayak. But hey, dudes gonna do what a dudes gonna do.
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After looking at this review, I'm even happier that I went with the Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL!
Trying to decide between these 2 kayaks also looking at the vibe I like the paddle version vs this rotor version
I have a Jackson pedal drive. I found that I could adjust the rudder handle so the rudder was centered and the tracking significantly improved.
Great review showing pros & cons! I have an older '09 Ride 135. The Coosa will be my next purchase. I'm a small fella standing at a mere 6' 1" & weigh 260 lbs.
Nice kayak! Still undecided between Jackson coosa FD and Old town bigwater 132 pdl
Thanks Jack! We hope you get one that you like and we can't wait to hear about it!
Thanks for the (unsponsored) review. Nice, no hype, to the point. Very good. 👍
I also have an FD. I didn’t like securing my rods with the bungee either, however, I found that when I have a rod holder installed in the gear track, just beside the steering control. I can place rod in the hole upfront and between the rod holder and seat in the back. Works great. I prefer using the included rod holder which is sorta like a pipe and tilt it vertically to pop my rod in when changing lures or handling fish or...
Excellent job reviewing this.
where does the paddle store when not using
I had been waiting anxiously for the Coosa FD to hit the market, but, when I finally got to play with one, I found the pedal drive to have much more friction than other pedal yaks. That and the weight were the reason that I went to a Native Manta Ray Propel. It tracks great, it's light, fast, and it paddles well when shallow. To me it was the best of all worlds.
If Jackson had an open kayak with this drive I'd buy it tomorrow.
Kevin Scott, check out the blue sky 360
Jackson Bite
Tony you are a marvellous fishermem
Thanks for the nice comment! We appreciate the support! 💪💪
No one caught the Easter egg? "Loosening Deez nuts" 12:20 lol thank you for the laugh & the review.
After reviewing video I’ll stick to the pro angler steering is a breeze
Excellent review, I like the way the pedal drive can adapt to shallow water but for 3k for this yak is just way out if my price range.
Excellent video ! With the proliferation of these high level kayaks, now that there are so many different brands and models, and it's no longer a novelty - price collusion (which is after all what keeps all of their prices so ridiculously high) should be smashed over time. The first brand that offer a complete outrigger snap-on kit as standard with their yak will get my money. Yes, I know PVC can get the job done, but it's cringe-worthy to have to do on such an expensive toy. I'd like to stand up every now and then to fish if I'm going to spend significant time on the water, especially if the water gets choppy.
How is the motor removed and how easy and heavy is it? Most pedal drives add 5-7kg to the weight and that's going to make if very heavy to lift.
Hey I’m am looking to buy a pedal kayak for fishing, im debating between the Vibe Shearwater 125 and the Jackson Bite FD. I fish in pretty shallow and grassy waters, and am not too concerned about the speed or stability. Any suggestions?
Does the seat lock in place? It seems it may move around alot when pedaling
Thanks for the honest review (unsponsored)
Please if you have the chance, make a comparison with the Hobie.
Is there a wheelie option like the Hobie?
I like my Coosa FD... I think Hobie makes a great kayak. I (like Tony) primarily fish on flats and my buddy in his PA14 sometimes has challenges going in places that I can get to... or he has to go the long way around and I can cut through.
My thoughts:
I wish they have made it exactly 12', because that's the room i have in my van. I can't lift it above the van (too heavy for me), and I don't want to tow a trailer.
Great video!
Do you think this is seaworthy enough for me to go from Casablanda to the Port of London?
How about a vid on the pvc mod done to the Boone Dox T-Bone bed extender. Looks interesting.
I was thinking the same thing.
Great review! I have the same boat. Your drive should come up farther when in the stowed position. You shouldn’t be able to fully close the hatch. Does yours have the scupper wedges?
Great vid. Can you talk about that pvc stand the yak was sitting on in the truck. I like it
The drive and the rudder have been updated
I am wondering about how thick is the rudder? It looks to be about an inch or so thick. If it is that thick won't it slow the forward movement by creating unnecessary drag?
Seems like they would have placed the hinges on the rear hatch cover at the rear making it easier to get in the rear hatch when you are on the yak. Looks cool though. I've never fished from a kayak.
I am interested in your kayak carrier that you have on your truck. I am getting a kayak real soon and it will sit in the truck bed also. I really like what you did there. Is there a video on that?
Never mind I found your video on the truck bed. Thanks for video'g
Is there a web site to purchase this kayak please link the products you are reviewing it really helps! Who knows I might have pulled the trigger on this one ! Great review ! Un bias which is reel ...nice thanks.
info on bed extender? it looks custom. is there a video about it???
It's a Boonedox T-BONE
How shallow can you get with that kayak
Good job, with product info.,but what is the price?
From the coupling to the prop is it driven by a flexible shaft? If so this limits speed and torque on the unit. It is not efficient,
Great review Tony, I have a Jackson Cuda , I am possibly thinking about one of these kayaks in the not so distant future, if I may ask about how much did you pay?
Thank you for the feedback! I paid around 2,700 after taxes.
Huge question you didn’t answer about any pedal kayak...how does it paddle? I love the way my Slayer Propel paddles and I know the Hobie PA is a tank to paddle. Haven’t heard any thing about this one.
paddles great. i have a video showing that in my lineup, but it was a breeze to get up to speed and keep there.
For it's width and weight, it doesn't paddle all that bad, but by all means I wouldn't spend a day paddling it. If you're too shallow for the drive it is easy to get yourself around by paddling. Just be sure to have your drive all the way up when paddling to decrease the resistance.
Looks like with the thing under the seat you slide it forward to access water bottles and back to access tackle
info on how you transport your Coosa? I see you have some sort of PVC rail etc.
The rudder control having to constantly have your hand on it is a major flaw!!! Unless you want to go in circles?
Likely the control cable/handle needs adjusting, as you can clearly see there is a lock in position for rudder controller, pretty sure I can see grub screw clamps next to it.
Hey dude cool review, I took 1 out for a demo before I got my pro angler. I really didnt like it because of the slide tray under the seat and the seat itself and the hatch above the prop. To me it seemed like Jackson just slapped together a kayak to compete with hobie.
mike winans thanks for the feedback! This and a Hobie are 2 different animals in my opinion. 2 completely different propulsion systems. It definitely competes with other pedal drives though with the ability to pedal shallow.
Tony Acevedo yes dude I agree. It differently does have that ability to pedal shallow, that was the only plus for me. But with the mirage drive you can also go shallow with as well. You just have to do like a half or even quarter push on the paddle and your good to go. When I am in the shallows fishing for reds I'm standing. So I use the bungee cord that comes with the kayak and keep the flippers up. In that situation I just use my paddle as a pole to push myself around. The Jackson is still a decent kayak and yes to different animals but both trying to do the same thing. Either way their both good kayaks and as long as they get you to the fish that's all that matters 👍
Beautiful Max Brewer bridge in the back there
This was at my local park thats so sick!
What's the price $75,000 - 80,000
Bla Bla these go for 2500-3000. Depends on where ya purchase from.
Tony Acevedo
No comment 🤣
Good grief. You can buy a Twin Troller X-10 that comes with the duel protected & hidden salt water grade MotorGuide trolling motor heads and the twin pedals that operate & steer the boat. The $3000 base-model Twin Troller is ready to go, all you need is a battery. The battery lasts all day. You can also mount a small outboard motor in the transom to go farther faster. I bought A Twin Troller in October of 2016.......it has exceeded every expectation. Worth every dollar. It floats & operates in only 7 inches of water, and 2 anglers can stand or sit & fish all day. No paddling or peddling needed at all. 2 anglers can't even capsize a Twin Troller if they tried. No kidding. I bought my own 3.5 hp Tohatsu outboard to add on, and I couldn't be happier with my set-up.
But your twin troller looks like a tub
Lawrence........Wow.....seriously???.......First off, that has got to be the most childish & lamest excuse leveled against the Twin Troller I've seen yet. Secondly, no "bath tub" looks like a pontoon hull. Don't get me wrong, I think kayaks have their place in fishing, but they are a craft that everyone has to accept the fact you better "dress to get wet" and the seating position is so limited, many guys can't handle fishing a kayak all day, without killing their backs. I don't see any kayak anglers laughing when I'm passing them up out on the water, and fishing totally hands-free, sitting or standing, 1 or 2 people, and the seats spin 360 degrees. The ONLY thing I have against anything to do with kayaks, are these models costing well over 2 grand. And 3 grand OR MORE for any kayak is absolutely insane, when a Twin Troller comes STANDARD with the duel MotorGuide trolling motor heads that are totally protected up inside the pontoons, and the pedals that operate them. Frank Jones knocked it out of the park when he invented this boat. The hull is practically indestructible and roto-molded/seamless. 1 man can use the custom dolly made for it, to roll it to and from the water to vehicle. 1 man can slide the TT in and out of a pickup truck with ease. Got a compact car? Simply go buy a small trailer from Harbor Freight for around $400 bucks, like I did. ( I drive a 2000 Tacoma 4x4......I simply prefer to trailer my Twin Troller most of the time. ) Not only that, I carry along 8 rods & reels in my Twin Troller with no problem whatsoever. Go research all the TT owner's testimonials, who bought kayaks first, including Hobie Pro Anglers.......only to discover the Twin Troller later. They sold those kayaks. Guys like myself have owned full size bass boats in the past. I just can't go as fast or as far as a big bass boat. Other than that, I don't miss my bass boat one bit.
l like the Jackson coosa FD Drive fishing Kayak an l like the paddle but is to high could it make it for a mid git person to paddle on shore low tide could they make storing baghold like put fish in so the fish do not die on the way back home how much do they have a store in Asian HONG KONG
How does it compare to the hobie pro angler? I am torn between the two of them?
jayrough dude I have a hobie pro angler 14. I took that Jackson out as a demo for a day of fishing. I ended up buying the hobie, I just like it so much better. It tracks better and you have a lot more space for storage.
mike winans thank you so much! That is what I thought I felt the hobie was built much better
jayrough yeah dude go with the hobie, to me the only down side so far is the price tag. I seriously saved my overtime and tax return money for a couple of years to get 1 lol. I got mine in March and still very happy I did.
buy the Hobie. Never owned one. Just saying.
Jackson doesn't require to sell your first born. I like the hobie hull . But not the drive. And now the big rig has the Flex Drive. Which is more comparable to the hobie. And rod tip protection in the hull is nice. Especially if you use highend rods.
Looked at one this week in Memphis it was 3000.00.
Nice kayak very nice
Nice kayak with great features. Just too heavy.
no metal props????
I guess everyone has the same leg length. That's like buying a bicycle that fits everyone. No seat adjustment back and forth?
Oh ok, I just saw the rest of the video. Nice
Big oof
drive problems, weak components... bolt on carry handles that are going to rip out... and i'm not convinced the multi-part prop is a good thing... -- i'll wait until next year, doesn't seem to be a better option.
Does it bend at the elbow?
PRICE , PRICE , PRICE ?
Buy a Hobie Pa or a Old Town PDL. Ive not owned a PA but I have owned the PDL. Both are excellent. Better Bang for the BUCK
Sir Fitz if the PDL drive automatically props up like the Jackson I'd definitely buy it because it's a better yak overall.
it props up
Wait, .....nothing at all about in water performance ???
You forgot to mention what you dont like about the kayak?
Nicholas Cordero I mention a few points during the video. Im not a fan about the seat construction, the tray under the seat, the rod tip protectors, and the tracking.
Nice review. I think I’d pitch that tray in the garbage.
It would be cool to add a window in the prop door so you can see the fish.
I don't know
I have an outrigger kit (Expandacraft) .com and sell a bunch of them to guys with this Hobie so they can mount a gas motor on it and go fish WAY off shore where you shouldn't be in a kayak. But hey, dudes gonna do what a dudes gonna do.
Ugh. 105+ pounds for a 12 ft kayak. I complain about the 75lbs that my 12 ft kayak weighs.
tacky and cheap. my thoughts.
Yeah it's not the lightest one on the market that's for sure. But many pedal drive kayaks of similar size weigh an upwards of 100lbs.
brpman mann Tacky?
Hobies are nearly 150 lbs.
FlatsHatter Yup! Aside from their high cost, their weight is another reason why I haven't bought one!!
Looks like a great 'yak, but way out of my price range!
H
:)
Why on earth would anyone do a review without first mentioning the price? His opinion has zero comparison then. This review is useless.
This review is all about the performance of the Jackson Coosa Flex Drive Kayak. Here's a link to see the range of prices that this kayak sells for: www.google.com/search?q=Jackson+Coosa+Flex+Drive+Kayak+price&oq=Jackson+Coosa+Flex+Drive+Kayak+price&aqs=chrome..69i57.2213j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
I have an outrigger kit (Expandacraft) .com and sell a bunch of them to guys with this kayak so they can mount a gas motor on it and go fish WAY off shore where you shouldn't be in a kayak. But hey, dudes gonna do what a dudes gonna do.