At Outdoor Retailer an invite only trade show for Manufacturers , Dealers, and press Jackson Kayak unveils their latest to its extensive line of fishing kayaks. The “Liska” geared at replacing the Cuda 12 series of fishing kayaks is geared up with all of the accessories which both seasoned and new kayak anglers are looking for.

Whats in the Name?

Jan Liska unfortunately died 2 years ago in a avalanche while skiing in the French Alps. He was the European Jackson Kayak fishing team manager. His passion of kayak fishing and the sport was tremendous. He is greatly missed.

Liska Features:

An excellent top featureof the Liska is the Elite Ergo high low seat system which is adjustable forward and aft like the Coosa & Cuda HD. The modified hinged center hatch is large enough to store a ton of gear and a fish finder battery without taking up much standing room. Molded in gear tracks alongside the seat and tank well and on the center hatch for additional mounting areas.  Standard with behind seat flush mounted rod holders. It also comes with some accessories that are standard from JK such as the RAM 2007 rod holder with screw ball track ount, the long load safety flag, and the stand-up assist strap. The standing pad is also included on the deck for non slip comfortable standing. Unlike the original Cuda line this kayak has a transducer scupper! Will it have a GoPro mount?

Differences from the Cuda 12:

The entry level aspect comes from the loss of rod stagers and the rudder ready ability. Also this kayak at this stage is not power pole ready.  Take off the RAM 2008 tube rod holders and well you still have a fishing machine. The kayak comes in at 12′-11″ long and 34″ wide which increases the stability compared to the Cuda 12. Its total weight capacity is still high coming in at 435 pounds. The overall weight of the boat is 79 pounds without the seat.

This kayak is a suggested retail MSRP of $1,349. Will be available early 2018!

Liska

Eric Jackson unveils the new Jackson Kayak Blue Sky Boat Works at Outdoor Retailer 2017. This “Boat” has just about everything a kayak angler could dream of but its a boat! A catamaran style hull with a flat open deck. Included with tons of gear track, built in wheels,  a dual rudder system, a “back porch” for cooler or crate. Power pole ready.

But here is where its at. The angler 360 seat. Rotates 360 so you can fish off the side the rear and the front. Fully adjustable and looks really comfortable too!. Also built in is the Jackson Kayak Flex Drive!

Its the “Fast Stable Fishing Machine”

These types of boats may even change the way we fish again. Personally I’m hoping for a modified craft that can take the rough water out in bays in the future.

Check out Eric Jackosn’s walk through! Also check out http://www.blueskyboatworks.com/ for additional information. Available by summer of 2018!

Jackson Kayak Unveils the new Flex Drive @ Outdoor Retailer

Jackson Kayak has unveiled its brand new fishing pedal boat prototype which will add to the new line of kayaks unveiled at ICast 2016 last month. The new Coosa FD or “Flex Drive” integrates a propeller pedal driven propulsion system into the kayak. Like other competitors have in the past and present creating a more hands free approach to small platform human powered fishing. Jackson like wilderness has converted their paddling hull to accept the pedal drive thus maintaining the paddle ability of the kayak hull. This design allows the angler to pedal and still have the ability to paddle the kayak normally.

2017 Coosa FD – image from JacksonKayak.com

As always Jackson Kayak has gone all out with innovation designing the drive as a 2 piece system. The pedal upper portion which are removable for car topping and in the future will have an electric motor capabilities. The lower unit of the drive has the ability to trim up and down. This allows the angler ease of landing on beaches due to the ability to leave the drive in the kayak. No lifting heavy drives out of the hull. No worries of loosing your drive overboard. The ability to trim up and access the propeller from the cockpit of the kayak allows for removing weeds from the prop with ease. The design also allows for the lower unit to retract when it hits against an obstacle underwater to shield it from becoming damaged.

The FD also incorporates new design features to address common issues of pedal drive systems with more solutions such as articulating prop blades for speed control. A trim UP/DN lever locking design. A 12:1 Ratio on a Tri bladed propeller. The future option to attach an electric motor drive that will replace the pedal drive for the ride home!

Check out the Flex Drive Teaser Video!