Cuda 12 shakedown + Moke River Bass!

The long awaited Jackson Cuda 12 just showed up at Headwaters Kayak in Lodi. It was well worth the wait! The features on the new 2013 are slick and the size of the 12 is just right for the lakes and river we have around Lodi.

10/14/12 I woke up early excited to get the new Cuda 12 on the river. I did not have much time before I had to get to work so I headed over to my local fishing spot on the Mokelumne river up from Lodi Lake. For the most part fishing has been slow for me on the Moke this summer and I didn't have high hopes of landing a fish, but the main reason I was out was to test the new Cuda!

After a short paddle upstream on the Mokeumne I got to one of my favorite spots on the river. A little inlet where the bass go from the river to a private pond. I started throwing a KVD crankbait with no luck so I switched it up to a Sinko. First cast I got a take down. It took a few more cast before I got one to the boat. They were all small, but there were a lot of fish and they were very active. As I was standing up fishing with my polarized glasses I could see bass stacked up on the other side of the fence to the private pond. I landed about 6 or 7 and lost a bunch more. One take down almost pulled the rod from my hand, but I wasn't able to set the hook and he got away.

My alarm went off at 9 so I reeled in my line and started paddling back. On my way out of the channel I saw two football sized bass swimming into the pond!!! I will be back out soon, and I most defiantly be taking out the Cuda 12!

Love that green color! Nice bass also!


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Congrats on the new yak it is a good looking one.

Thats pretty sweet setup Dan. I'm coming up to the shop to chack em out on Friday. See ya

How cute micro bass. :smt044Sorry

Way to get out before work!

WANT

Cool rig Dan, fish like it too!

The Cuda 12 looks sweet.  Mini bass from the mini cuda!

Nice ride Dan.  What color is that and does the Big Tuna come in that color?

Nice ride! Matches your bass! 

Right on Dan.
How does the Cuda12 compare to the Cossa?

Nice ride Dan.  What color is that and does the Big Tuna come in that color?

They call it Olive but its a lot brighter than most Oiives. Yes the Tuna comes in this color

Right on Dan.
How does the Cuda12 compare to the Cossa?

Well the Coosa platform is all about rivers. It's way more manuverable. The volume in the hull is displaced different to make it ride up and over waves and not slice into them. The Cuda is designed for tracking and glide. Because its only 12' it's still easy to maneuver and could be taken down most valley rivers.  It's slower than the Cuda 14 for sure, but it tracks about the same on flat water.

As far as deck features it's just a mini Cuda. The Coosa does not have a rod pod, but it's got a clean open deck for stripping line. The Coosa has the recess for a drift chain which is super nice on the river. The Coosa does not have the Rod Tip Protecter which is a nice upgrade on the Cuda 12.

For me the Coosa will still always be the ultimate river machine because the hull design. I plan to take it down the Klamath for a kayak camping/ Steelhead fishing trip this fall. It's my boat of choice for fishing the Mokelumne, and putting clients in while guiding.

So to sum it up the Cuda 12 is the perfect middle ground for those of us who can only have 1 do it all boat. But since you have a Cuda 14 already I would totally go with a Coosa for rivers. You will love it!