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Crappie.com 1K Star General
I sold my Ultimate 12 to get a Jackson Coosa which has some advantages for my type of fishing. I have also owned Manta Ray in both 11 and 14 foot versions.
The Coosa has high seat which both allows for better visibility, but also more comfort. Another plus is there is plenty of storage underneath the seat (4 Plano 3700) so that you don't end up turning around to get tackle boxes out from behind you.
The Coosa has scuppers, which will drain out any splashes or rain water.
The Coosa has groves to rest your rods in so that you can have three rods laying flat in front of you. No rolling around. You can still add rod holders to your crate for additional rod storage. Also the flush mount rod holders are angled, which helps keep them out of overhanging branches.
The Coosa has oval recesses for Tallon brand accessories. Tallon has bases that will work with both Scotty and RAM rod holders.
The Coosa has anchor slot so that a retractable dog leash can be used for quick retrieval of an anchor.
And the best feature, IMO, is the larger FLAT standing area. Makes it easy on my feet, knees, and hips, even with my size 11 and 235 lbs.
Disadvantage is that it being a 11' boat, it will not paddle as fast as longer boat. Which might make a difference if you have several miles to cover to get to your spot.
Here are a couple of pics:
Crappie.com 3K Star General
There are so many awesome kayaks coming out. Take a look at the Jackson Coosa and the feelfree Mokens. Wilderness Systems Commander, Native Watercraft Versa Board and then there is sufango/jetbuster.
Just saw bfish's post. I went and paddled the coosa and decided to wait on that one till the new 13 footer comes out. It is a great design, but is really designed for river fishing. The 13 should be a killer flat water yak. The feelfrees really impress me too.
Last edited by GRIZZ; 04-01-2011 at 11:00 PM.
Good things come to those who bait.
Crappie Wall Hanger II
I love that coosa for river fishing and would be good for what I do also. I almost bought one.
Mike Barnett
Crappie Wall Hanger II
I've been to Sardis and Arkabutla, but not to Grenada or Enid. Don't have a boat due to economics and storage issues and usually confine my fishing to small waters where I can bank fish or rent a jonboat where available. This thread has really opened my eyes. I've only associated kayaks with the kind they used in the Olympics and nevered envisioned fishing out of one. Now I can easily see myself with a kayak on the roof of the car and the designs described here look a lot more stable than a standard canoe.Originally Posted by mb4850
Crappie.com 1K Star General
Didn't realize you already had a kayak, just looking for gear/rig info. Sorry for all the extra, unnecessary information.
It is not about the equipment you have to use,
It is about how you use the equipment you have. :D
Crappie.com 1K Star General
This week I will be sitting stationary in open water right up next to the ice that remains on the lake. I will be using a 4.5 foot rod/reel for jigging directly under my kayak and I will be using a 16 foot pole for suspending a light jig under a bobber in 10 - 15 feet of water along crappie travel routes. They will be on the move up here this week and for the next couple weeks so I will fish a lot of the travel routes. Slow jigging and still fishing various spots as I follow the breaks and break lines along their annual spring routes.
It is not about the equipment you have to use,
It is about how you use the equipment you have. :D
Keeper
slabsrus, that's ok, I loving talking kayaks. There are so many good yaks out there on market now that are really nice. I got your pm and I'll be giving you a shout this summer when I'm in Michigan.
bfish, super nice kayak! Those coosa yaks are really becoming more popular here in Texas.
Are you guys anchoring down when your jigging or using minnows?
Crappie Wall Hanger II
Cricket I suggest as most kayakers will not to take my word or any one elses as the gospel. Try to talk to as many people and ask a lot of questions. Us kayakers love to talk kayak fishing. What makes the best kayak depends on the type of fishing you will be doing and if you can afford to buy 2 kayaks to cover a broader spectrum. What makes a great river fishing kayak may not be good in large open waters. If you want to spend all day trolling crank baits or sitting over a top jigging. Sometimes you have to comprimise features. Obviously kayaking isn't for everyone but I really find it fun and productive. I've actually caught more crappie in the last 6 months from my kayak than I ever did in my boat and I'm fishing the same waters but it's a little work and that is why I started kayaking. Fishing and exercise.
Mike Barnett
Crappie.com 1K Star General
You hit it right on there. Research for what will work best for you situation(s).
It is not about the equipment you have to use,
It is about how you use the equipment you have. :D
Crappie Wall Hanger II
Thanks MB4850. All of my fishing is on still waters. Usually ponds and lakes up to 300 acres mostly because that is what is in convenient driving range. Bream (bluegills and shellcrackers) and bass are my primary targets. I might venture into the backwaters of large resevoirs when the crappie and bass are in the shallows. I do fish trout rivers in Arkansas, but am dedicated to wading and fly fishing when I choose to go after trout. Exercise has recently become very important to me. Last Sept. I had a mild heart-attack followed by quadruple bypass. All is well now - I've lost 38 lbs and am doing interval training as well as adding some short runs into my daily 2 mile walk trying to build up some endurance. For the same reason, tranquility is also an important benefit. But most of all, the local waters all have brushy shorelines that are all but impossible to fish from unless the water is low. I don't have a lot of storage space for a boat and trailer, but think I can find the garage space for a kayak.
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