Jackson Kayak "Coosa" Hot

This is my first yak and I could not have made a better choice!

I fish mainly rivers where rapids can get to class 2 and on occasion a 3 on a normal day when the river is at acceptable levels. I was originally going to go with an ascend kayak but after doing some research I went with this yak. I flipped it a few times first outing but after getting used to it I have yet to flip again.

I must say that this kayak does what is advertised. It runs rapids with such ease! Turns on a dime! The kayak is stable enough to stand in as well. Loading the yak is easy once you figure out where to grab it and pick it up. There is tons of storage inside the yak which is accessible via the hatches in the front and back. Also added to the storage is a dry storage area in the cockpit for keeping keys, smokes, cameras, phones etc.... However it is advised to put those items in a waterproof baggie or something just in case.

I am a larger guy at 6'2" weighing in at 270 pounds. The coosa has a limit of 375. With that much weight on the yak one would think in shallow water I would drag but nope. At 270 pounds plus a little bit of gear the yak will still float in 5 inches of water.

Some people may say this yak tracks poorly but they must keep in mind that it was designed to be a river running kayak. Being able to turn quickly is one of the big key features of it. The only real gripe I have about this yak is the rod holders. It seems that spinning reel setups dont sit in them right.

I purchased my yak used in 2016. Mine is the 2012 model but due to the impressions this used one gave me I will be in the market for a new one soon! I love this yak. I am a coosa fan for life now :)

Two years ago the Jackson Coosa caught fire and a buying frenzy ensued. As Jackson continued to release new models like the Cuda 12, the Big Tuna and the Big Rig, less attention has been given the Coosa yet for river rats everywhere, the Coosa is still a strong contender.

I've had more than a couple of adventures in a Jackson Coosa that have shaped my thoughts on where it exceeds expectations and what future improvements could be.

THE GOOD

The Jackson Hi/Lo Seat is nice. The frame is comfortable, more ergonomic than in years past and allows you to keep fishing rather than giving in to back cramps and strains.

The underdeck storage on the Coosa is amazing. River camping trips or stowing gear to run rapids is no problem. The large hatch in the front and nice sized hatch in the back make it easy to stow and retrieve gear.
They also have reinforcements which enable them to be locked when you run into the store or overnight parking and don't want people getting into your stuff.

The Coosa is a shallow water kayak. Skimming through water only a few inches deep is no problem.

Fly fishermen should definitely think about this kayak. The open deck layout is pretty clean of excess gadgets and gizmos. The Coosa is a blank slate.

The stern skid plate is really nice too. I had quite an ordeal happen going to fish with a buddy where my Coosa decided to escape. Lets just say that thanks to a removable skid plate my day wasn't ruined. If you'd like to read about it, click here.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

All of the videos I remember seeing that talked about rod stagers showed casting rods, not spinning. Spinning rods don't fit well in the rod stagers or the rod rest on the sides. I had to flip the reel skyward to secure it down on the side and the downward facing eyes on a spinning rod don't sit on the v style stagers. A groove in front of the stagers could accommodate those of us who like spinning gear on the river. It would cradle one of the eyes on the rod and keep it from sliding everywhere.

Standard gear tracks should be available on the Coosa. Most folks are adding them after market and even if you don;t use them, they don;t get in the way. Make them recessed with three inches of room on each end to slide t-bolts in and out of the groove. I know the YakAttack Coosa has the orange poly track GT90 up front but you have to buy that color and package or you are on your own.

I'd also like to see the recessed track in the back as opposed to the predrilled holes for a RAM mount. What if I don't want it in that exact position? Give me some track and I can slide it forward and back.


FINAL THOUGHTS

The Jackson Coosa doesn't get as much talk as it one did but it is a very nice kayak for running rivers, small lakes and ponds. In protected marshes it could also do well. The hard thing to overcome for the Coosa is wind. If you are in an area unprotected from the wind, it's going to be a long day.

Stability is a big seller but it is important to know that what you see on TV or in pictures is not always the case. Each person is built differently and each has a different balance than the next. Just because Joe can stand in a kayak doesn't mean you can. Please demo this kayak and any others you are wanting to be able to stand and fish in. Guys like Drew Gregory who have been doing this forever and a day make it look easy. Test it before you buy it and you'll know for sure.

I have spent MANY days in a Jackson Coosa and enjoyed every one. while it would not be my first choice for a flat water boat I never have had an issue with paddling it on a lake. for the folks that write about poor tracking I just shake my head in wonder..... this boat is designed to slip and slide around rocks and across current and does a wonderful job of it. how can folks complain about a boat that does what it is supposed to well ? I love fishing out of the Coosa and so does my son. you can turn on a dime and hit spots that would just blow other boats right out of it. for moving water in my book there is no equal to the Jackson Coosa. the rod holders are handy and angled backwards to allow you to get under overhanging branches without issue and the compartments are large enough to stow gear for longer trips and the tankwell can bungee more gear down if needed. in the low position we have paddled up to class 3 rapids with no issues and even played and surfed in them a bit. this is a river anglers boat that does a wonderful job for anyone that likes to fish the flowing rivers or twisty creeks. we have been well pleased with the Coosa for everything we have put it through.

The Coosa is hands down the best river boat I have ever been in and it is a surprisingly useful little boat for targeting redfish in the marsh - though I will admit there are better options out there for that. This boat does not shine in big, open water, especially when conditions are adverse. Because of the rocker on the boat, one paddle stroke will turn this boat on a dime, which is a great ability to have in moving water, but that makes the tracking poor in open water. It is a comfortable boat with the Elite hi/lo seat, you can go all day, especially with the new lumbar support. It has lockable hatches for those times when you stay in $35/night motels in the middle of nowhere, you know, to keep honest people honest. I love the deck layout, nice and open for fly fishing, with plenty of room, and stability, to stand up and move around. It is a light boat, easy to car top, it won't kill you to get it from the car to the water if you don't have a cart or a trailer. If I were a 100% river fisherman this would be my boat.

FYI: a Yeti Roadie 20 fits perfect in the tankwell.

The Jackson Coosa is one of the best river fishing kayaks out there. It is also a very serviceable boat for fishing larger waters as long as you understand it's limitations. The great maneuverability that is such an asset while trying to avoid having your head taken off by a lay down that the current is pushing you toward makes this boat susceptible to spinning in the wind. Also, the blunt nose means this boat will not set any speed records. However, this becomes an advantage when hitting rapids in a river.

The Jackson Coosa is my go to boat for fishing flowing rivers and small waters where short distances are paddled. If you are looking to add a river kayak to your fleet, I would highly recommend this boat. If you are looking for an all purposes Jack of all trades boat, you might end up being disappointed.

Thank you. .