Kayak Fishing Ultimate Resource

The other day, I demo'd both of these, courtesy of the local outdoors shop's demo day. The Coosa is billed as a "river" boat. Does that preclude its use in lakes, or even in the Gulf?
Any impressions of one over the other?
Thanks,

let me just say this, i have not paddled the coosa yet, so on that end i can't help you but i know for a fact that my next boat is gonna be the tarpon 140, and i fish rivers, lakes, bays and open ocean alot. hope that helps ya. and to play devils advocated you have to really take a closer look at which one you feel the most comfortable in in any of your situations. just some food for thought, and great question too, good to see your wieghing your options after yoiu paddled them around some!!

I think you just have to ask yourself where you fish atleast 51% of the time? If its open water like lakes and the gulf then the Coosa may be a little too slow for you. Its very stable but you trade off speed for that stability.

I just got my Coosa. I have not paddle it yet. I will ley you know what I think. If I was only going to have one kayak I dont think I would choose the Coosa. To me the Coosa looks like its going to be a fun kayak for fly fishing local ponds, short paddles on the bay and fishing the Myakka River where the current will do most of the work. I will try it in the gulf for Tarpon as well. It will not be my go to tournament kayak. I will use my U-14.5 most of the time.

If most of your time will be spent on the creeks and rivers the Coosa will be tough to beat. On open water the wind and speed are issues. I love my Coosa, but most of my time will be spent in moving water. I do fish the Coosa on smaller lakes, but will just use the sink if I go to bigger lakes were I need more speed or the wind will be an issue.

In addition, what would I lose by going with an Ascend FS12T? I know that you get what you pay for, but there's quite a price difference.

I have never paddled an Ascend 12 but several of the guys on the Georgia site have them and really like them. Always paddle first !!

I have paddled a Coosa and would never buy one -- not a knock on the boat, just not suited to how I fish -- far prefer my OK Caper (in smaller, flatter water) or my OK Drifter (in bigger, swifter, choppier water).

Of the boats mentioned, the Wildy's would be superior but that is just my opinion. And I an only a pro beer drinker ... not a pro nuttin' else