I recently had the opportunity to paddle and fish the Jackson Kayak Cuda 14. Facing windy conditions and paddling against a stiff river current, this boat was put to the test. It tracked very well, even without the optional rudder attachment. Jackson has reinvented the kayak seat with its patent pending hi/lo seating option, which allows the paddler to select a low or high seating position. Unlike most other kayak seats, the Cuda’s was extremely comfortable even after four hours of fishing. The seat adjusts easily and can even be removed and stowed in the rear tank well to allow for stand-up fishing. With a beam over 30 inches, the Cuda was very stable, and the bow strap allowed me to pull myself up to a standing position.
The Cuda comes standard with two rear-mounted vertical rod holders and has plenty of space and smart storage compartments for tackle boxes. I found the rod-stager feature extremely handy when switching from paddling to fishing. The Cuda’s center hatch is built with recessed trays perfect for holding loose lures, hooks, weights, or whatever you may want to have handy.