Anybody? Jackson Bite?!

[Big Boom Bassin]

Been looking at getting a secondary kayak for rivers or for areas where the ProAngler pedals are just not usable. Debating between just rigging up a cheap Lifetime Tamarack Angler or actually getting a better investment. The Jackson Bite looks like a really nice bare bones platform with some actual usable space and tackle management solutions. I would only be using the kayak a few times a year or for buddies that want to roll with me so not sure if the $800 is worth the investment. Anybody have the new Bite? Or have you rigged the Lifetime or something similarly cheap?

[CarsonNash]

Anybody? Jackson Bite?!

I underwent a similar debate a couple months ago. Because your current kayak is pretty high end, I think you would be slightly unhappy with the tamarack.

The Jackson is nice looking, but higher on the price end. If I were you I would be looking into the vibe yellowfin 100. 10 feet, super comfortable seat, and cheaper then the Jackson. I have the sea ghost 110 and the build quality is top notch, especially for the price. It’s no hobie, but that is not what you are looking for. I believe it was John Veil that told me seat comfort was one of his largest buying points in a kayak.

The vibe skipjack 90 is even cheaper then the YF 100, but it does not have the “lawn chair” seat

In addition, resale on a Vibe or other, nicer, kayak is much better then the lifetime. If you are thinking long term.

Good luck.

[Big Boom Bassin]

I underwent a similar debate a couple months ago. Because your current kayak is pretty high end, I think you would be slightly unhappy with the tamarack.

The Jackson is nice looking, but higher on the price end. If I were you I would be looking into the vibe yellowfin 100. 10 feet, super comfortable seat, and cheaper then the Jackson. I have the sea ghost 110 and the build quality is top notch, especially for the price. It’s no hobie, but that is not what you are looking for. I believe it was John Veil that told me seat comfort was one of his largest buying points in a kayak.

The vibe skipjack 90 is even cheaper then the YF 100, but it does not have the “lawn chair” seat

In addition, resale on a Vibe or other, nicer, kayak is much better then the lifetime. If you are thinking long term.

Good luck.

Great information. I appreciate the response. I’ll definitely look into the Vibes... you definitely reaffirmed some of my concerns.


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[J.A. Veil]

I believe it was John Veil that told me seat comfort was one of his largest buying points in a kayak.


In addition, resale on a Vibe or other, nicer, kayak is much better then the lifetime. If you are thinking long term.

Good luck.

Both of the points made by Carson are good ones. There are many criteria that a buyer should consider. Each buyer will weight those criteria differently. To me, seat comfort is definitely one of the things that rates highly. If you are not comfortable in the kayak, you won't use it much.

As a new Vibe owner, Carson is a proponent of that brand. I am a member of the Pro Team (formerly called Pro Staff) for Native Watercraft. I have familiarity with Native kayaks. Last December I bought a Manta Ray 12 XT kayak with a raised seat and many built-in features. I keep it in Florida at my guide's house and use it whenever I am there. That kayak retails at about $900. It is a great fishing kayak and is comfortable for my large body. I also not that Native's sister brand, Liquid Logic, offers its own version of this kayak at a slightly lower price point.

This year Native introduced a new lower-priced model called the Stingray 11.5 with a retail cost of about $800. It too has raised seating. It offers a light hull weight of 60 lbs (65 lbs including seat). I have not used a Stingray yet and cannot comment on how it works on the water. But it is likely to be more comfortable than a low-end bargain kayak and will hold its value better.

I imagine that some of the other major kayak manufacturers offer lower-end, lower-cost models too. One of the things we talk about in our AACC Kayak Fishing class is that if you have a fixed budget, you are likely to get more for your money by buying a used kayak. The base cost will be lower, and the kayak may come with some accessories that you would otherwise have to buy.