It’s a good feeling when you “christen” new gear on a fish.
Such was the case late last year after taking to the water for the first time on my new Jackson Coosa kayak. The venue was a small tributary of Sydney’s Nepean River, the quarry: bass.
Despite seemingly ideal conditions for these feisty natives, bites were scarce for Fisho colleague Scott Thomas and I.
Thankfully we managed to catch a few to around 35cm before paddling back to our cars under a blood red sunset. After that session I knew I’d made a good choice for a new ’yak.
For a while I’d pondered upgrading to something bigger from my great little Hobie Mirage Sport pedal model. After hip surgery last year I’d found the Sport’s low seat position left me pretty uncomfortable after a couple of hours fishing.
This got me thinking about a bigger, roomier ’yak with a higher seat – something I could even stand up on if I needed a stretch. More storage for overnighting would also be a bonus. Importantly, the craft needed to be manageable solo for loading onto roof racks.
Overall, a fairly tall wishlist!
A discussion with Scott brought up some Jackson kayaks he’d tested for Boat Fishing. After some research I decided the Coosa looked to fit my requirements.
While it doesn’t have the pedal propulsion advantage of the Hobie, it’s been designed to fish via input from American professional kayak angler Drew Gregory (type “Jackson Kayak” into Youtube for related videos). The Jackson website (www.jacksonkayak.com) says the Coosa is designed for inshore waterways such as lakes and rivers, and is also capable of tackling rapids.
My first feel of the Jackson Coosa came when I got on board a demo model at Penrith’s International Regatta Centre where Sydney Jackson dealer Horizon Line Canoes is located.
In hot windy conditions the Coosa was impressively stable, had a great seat (more on that later) and in no time had me confidently standing. I was sold. I paid my money and drove away with an understated “Olive” Coosa tied on the roof racks – a colour perfectly suited to stealthy fishing missions.
Made to fish
Having owned the Coosa for several months now and having fished it on creeks, estuaries and open bays, my initial impressions of it being the “right” ’yak for me haven’t changed.
Here’s why: firstly, the Coosa’s stability is first class. It’s beamy at .81m (32”) and carries a prominent rounded keel which provides added stability for confidently standing and fishing.
I haven’t fished upright often but have for over an hour on occasions and love this added benefit. To stand it’s just a matter of pulling yourself out of the seat with the supplied strap. It’s easy after a little practice and stretching the legs after a few hours in the seat is often welcome. It’s also handy when bad casting results in lures stuck in trees!
The seat itself is one aspect where the Coosa shines. It has a metal frame for good support (the 2013 model has a curved back) and is very comfortable.
On that first bass trip I was seated for nearly six hours and felt fine. The seat is removable and handily doubles as a camp or picnic chair. It fits into the deck via low or raised slots and is held in place by a locking strap.
The different height slots give users the option of sitting tall or in the familiar close-to-the-water position. I prefer the taller seat position as it gives a better overall view of the water.
Being taller does slightly affect stability and windage but gives the added advantage of under-seat storage where I carry two or three lure boxes, fish grippers and other bits and pieces.
The seat also has a rear zippered storage section that houses plenty of small items. I usually carry an anchor, drink bottle and snacks in there. As mentioned, the added windage courtesy of the high seat position often moves the ’yak across the water too fast for effective drift fishing.
To counteract this, I run a small sea anchor astern run off a retractable dog leash which is slotted in next to the portside grab handle and secured with cable ties.
Upright rod storage on the Coosa comes via two angled flush rod holders behind the seat. In the bow hatch there’s a simple grooved system for supporting rod tips of outfits laid along the deck. This system works fairly well as rods are close at hand and don’t roll around the deck.
John from Horizon Line suggests Coosa buyers opt for a longer (than standard) paddle to accommodate the high seat position. This was good advice and the optional longer two-piece paddle has been money well spent.
On the water the Coosa is surprisingly nimble. From a stationary position a dig with the paddle will easily spin the bow to where you want it. While not designed for speed, this ’yak covers distances at a reasonable pace while not being overly tiring to paddle.
Storage on the Coosa has been well thought out. It features two roomy hatches at the bow and stern, with removable lids supported by bungee cord.
I bought an optional trolley for transporting the ’yak to and from the water. The trolley can be stored in the cargo section behind the seat or dismantled and put into the stern hatch.
At 29kgs the Coosa is about the maximum weight most fishos will want to be loading onto roof racks unaided. Notably, the hull has a replaceable drag plate to make loading easier – this is another example of the smart design inherent in the Coosa. After a lot of practice I now manage the transporting process without putting too much strain on an already dodgy back.
While designed for inshore waters the Coosa has proven very capable on big open waterways like Sydney’s Botany Bay where it’s common to contend with rolling swell, strong wind and boat traffic wake.
With the level of confidence I have in this ’yak’s ability I can’t wait to try it out on some river rapids.
My only future plans for the Coosa include fitting a sounder – there’s not much else I can do to improve it.
My only gripe is that maybe I should have waited for the new 2013 model that boasts some neat updates that should make one great fishing kayak even better!
Jackson Coosa:
Length: 3.4m (11′ 2″)
Width: 0.81m (32″)
Weight: 31.75kg (with seat); 29kg (w/o seat)
Capacity: 170kg (375lb)
Price: $1595 RRP
Contact: Horizon Line Canoes (02) 4730 4000; www.horizonline.com.au
This story was first published in the Fishing World October 2013 issue.
