Jackson Cuda 14 Review

Before I start this review I should share with you that my Cuda is my first kayak.While it's not the first kayak I've fished from, it is the first kayak I've owned. So I would not classify myself as an expert kayak fisherman. What I am, is a guy who does hours upon hours of research on things before I purchase them...and then I analyze the heck out of them after I own them.

Let's start with the first thing we all see, one awesome looking kayak! I've owned my Cuda for over 18 months and am still impressed with how cool it looks! Hey, let's face it...looking cool is important too right?!

Vanity out of the way, the next thing that caught my eye was the seat. What looks to be a beach style seat resting in the place where some foam style kayak seat would usually be resting. My first thought was, is that thing going to be comfortable for hours of fishing? The answer to that question is yes! I've fished in that seat for up to 7 hours of continuous fishing only taking a break to eat a sandwich on a shoreline. Although the Elite Seat isn't always the first thing that catches our eye, its the multiple positions you can put it in that really draws our interest. There's a low position, high position, and an out of the way position (yeah, out of the way). The low position is just slightly higher than the normal SOT kayak. This position is a very stable seating position in the Cuda and feels very comfortable for even a first time kayak fisherman. The high position is, in my opinion, awesome! Its slightly less stable than the low position, who wouldn't expect that? But its considerably more stable than you might think. It feels very much like riding a dirt bike, it doesn't want to tip over but you can make it lean if you want to...and of course there is a tipping point but it's really difficult to reach...check out the video below.

OTW (out of the way) position

This is a name I've given it obviously, but its very accurate for what it is. Before I get into that though, I think it's necessary for me to first discuss the stability of this kayak as its directly related to OTW seating position.

This boat is made to stand in, period. If you turn this boat upside down you'll see a flat bottom with what almost looks like pontoons. Whatever you call it, it does a great job of making you feel secure while standing or sitting. This is coming from a guy who's a little top heavy. While I'm not Chad Hoover, I am 6' 3” 215 lbs. While learning to stand and fish, I've leaned so hard I've actually felt what feels like secondary flotation kick it and the boat become even harder to tip over. While getting to that point is a bit scary, it was very reassuring when I didn't tip over!

So what's all that have to do with the OTW seat position? Well if you want a little more foot room you're able to securely put the seat into the cargo area. Now I know it sounds like I'm saying just tossing it back there is a position. But it's not really that. The feet of the seat actually fit into indentations in the boat which help keep it in place so you can use the large flat area where the seat normally is to stand and fish from. Then sit in the seat and paddle to the next location without needing to place the seat back in a forward position. Pretty cool huh?

With just the couple things I've pointed out you can already see this boat is not only very well thought out, there were guys who fish from kayaks designing it. So let's talk about some of the fishing features on the boat.

Rod Stagers and Rod Tip Cover

Built in “Rod Stagers” hold your rods in place and keep them from riding on top

of each other, banging against themselves etc. Which is not only hard on your rods but ends your “stealthy approach” if you know what I mean. These rod stagers are such a great idea, extremely useful, and surprisingly very new to fishing kayaks. They will even accommodate large fly rods having molded concave sections for the end of the rods including stretch straps to tie them down! And for those of us who like to paddle far back into channels with low hanging trees, the Rod Tip Cover make these journeys snag and hassle free. Listen Jack, I catch enough tree fish...I don't want to snag my poles on trees while paddling to my secrete hole too! Okay so that might have been a bad Duck Dynasty quote but ya'll know what I'm talking about. I hate it when my rods get tangled up when I'm just trying to get to the next fishing hole.

 

Tackle Stagers

There are 4 places molded into the Cuda for holding plano tackle boxes, Tackle Stagers. Two of them are beside the Elite Seat, one on each side. The other two are directly behind the seat beside where you put you milk crate. In this location the bungee cord straps hold them in while also holding other accessories. In both locations the boxes are held on their side/back edge so their easy for your hands to grab. I personally like to use the stager right of the seat for holding my plastics tackle bag. Whatever you want to put there it's great storage space. Oh and did I forget to mention all the space UNDER the seat where you can store another Plano box?

Elite Seat

Of course there's the seat mentioned before which has multiple positions...but wait there's more (yep, I just did that). The Elite Seat has storage of it's own with a pocket on the bottom of the seat between your legs and the removable pouch with zipper, attached to the back rest of the seat. This pouch comes off and you put tackle in it and and wear it around your waist while stepping out of the kayak for some sand bar fishing or just use it for spare pliers or fishing line, whatever you like.There's lots of little goodies you'll find that this pouch will be the perfect home for, trust me.

Access to all of the hull

There's a large hatch at the front of the Cuda that will allow you to place rods, dry bags, or kayak carts into. You name it, it will probably fit into this hatch. But if you find something that's difficult to fit there's always the center long hatch that you can open up and put a cooler into, more rods, or drop in the container accessory for more storage like anchors, floats, drag chain, etc. Lastly there's a small hatch at the back of the Cuda (9" round) for whatever else you might think of. Have I mentioned there's lots of storage on this kayak?

I could go on and on about all the great ideas built into this kayak like a cup holder, rudder option, stand assist strap...oh there I go again! I think by now you can tell I love this kayak. I've taken it to the beach, large reservoirs, ponds, rivers and small creeks and it's performed great, meeting all my expectations. Of course all of this does come with a pretty steep price tag, about $1200-$1500. But let's be honest this is not your average $500 fishing kayak. You're getting a lot for your money not to mention a kayak that you'll love for years to come. 

Here's some of the specs on the Cuda 14:

if I can do it...

• Length: 14'-3”
• Width: 30.5”
• Height: 11” (seat area)
• Weight: 74-80 lbs
• Capacity: 400lbs
• Front Hatch Dimensions: 16 1/4″ x 11 3/8″
• Rear Hatch Dimensions: 9 3/8″
• Deck Riggings in Bow and Stern

I feel like I should close this review by re-addressing one of my primary concerns when I bought my kayak...stability. Even after I convinced myself to buy the Cuda my head was still filled with questions like: Won't the higher seat position want to tip over? Will a guy like me be able to stand comfortably? I really don't want to tip over...how stable is this thing! Check out this promo video of a prototype Cuda and pay particular attention at 1:12 and you tell me if you think the Cuda is stable.
Here's a link in case you can't view the video: Cuda Promo Video

Tight lines,

MJ