Need help deciding on a new kayak.

Hello I am looking to buy a kayak for fishing the delta, rivers and local coastal waters I'm thinking either a Jackson cuss or maybe a ascend any help would be awesome I'm new to the kayak world. Thanks for any help.

Demo as many models as you can and don't buy one until you find what you like. 

Welcome to NCKA. 

You're in Escalon, so take a drive to Headwaters Kayks in Lodi.  They will show you several models and give you good advice, not just a sales pitch.  Like Eric said, paddle as many as you can before you decide.  Dan at Headwaters will tell you the same thing.

+1 to all of the above!!

Demo, demo, demo!

Good luck and let us know if you have any questions about specific models etc once you have tried some out!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

K Thanks for the advice. I'll go up to headwaters maybe tomorrow on my way home from work. thanks again for the replies much appreciated.

Welcome and tight lines!  Like the others have said try out as many yaks as you can.

Look at at everything you can. They all have different features and will suit different people. Look at Hobie, Wilderness Systems, Ocean Kayak, Jackson, Eddyline and more from reputable shops like Adventure Sports in Sac and Oakley, Headwaters in Lodi. They are all different in some ways. One more thing I will tell you and I think all will agree is to buy quality and not the cheaper stuff from Bass Pro, Walmart, Costco, etc. Buy quality and it will have good resale value and be much easier to sell when you upgrade, and you will upgrade once you decide you like kayak fishing.

Look at at everything you can. They all have different features and will suit different people. Look at Hobie, Wilderness Systems, Ocean Kayak, Jackson, Eddyline and more from reputable shops like Adventure Sports in Sac and Oakley, Headwaters in Lodi. They are all different in some ways. One more thing I will tell you and I think all will agree is to buy quality and not the cheaper stuff from Bass Pro, Walmart, Costco, etc. Buy quality and it will have good resale value and be much easier to sell when you upgrade, and you will upgrade once you decide you like kayak fishing.

Very well said Rob!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

If you plan to spend significant time OTW in the ocean, then a Coosa might not be the best choice due to the length and paddling characteristics (and yes I own one).

Has anyone tried out the Jackson cuda 12 or 14 any info would be great thanks

I started out with a Predator 13 and I do think it was one of the better starter kayaks (a really expensive starter kayak  ) I've since moved on to either a Ocean Kayak Trident 13 or Ultra 4.3 (still trying to convince myself one way or another). My Predator 13 sold for a great price.

I think Big Jim uses or has used a Cuda 14. I considered it, but felt it had a similar issue to my Predator 13 - too freaking heavy! 

They mostly are all heavy today. Not Eddyline, Stealth. Just remember this, a light kayak is light for a reason, less plastic. Thinner hull, less rigidity, more flex, less life expectancy. A lot of kayaks out there you can push down on the deck and it will flex. This will be worse in warm/hot weather. If the deck flexes and you don't have solidly sealed hatches like some brands do you will have water intrusion.

I have a cuda 14. Love it. I think it's a great starter boat. Plenty stable in big swells. It's a little heavy, but still pretty easy to transport. It's a little bit on the slow side. I did upgrade to the revo tho, partly cuz of speed, and the hands free aspect.

Headwaters is the place without a doubt...Dan is top notch and has a lot of kayaks to choose from...

I have a Predator 13 for you to paddle of you wanna try it out...I'm in riverbank...it may be for sell as well (classifieds)...but try them all don't be pushed into one that doesn't work for you

Also  listen to all the people on this forum it's a wealth of knowledge...paddle as many boats as you can and then buy what you want and can afford, I personally love the predators but it's a big boat which is great for multi size water...I am a inland guy and have downsized for that purpose only...good luck on your search and let me know if you need any help

Has anyone tried out the Jackson cuda 12 or 14 any info would be great thanks

 I  used the Cuda 14 for a year.

 The cuda 14  is a comfortable kayak with tons of rigging options and a nice deck layout. I was able to win the 2013 AOTY  competition fishing solely out of my cuda 14.  That  being said there were some drawbacks,  namely weight ( hard to car topen solo),  speed,  and stability in rough ocean conditions.

 I now paddle one of Headwater's  Viking  profish,  and I prefer it to the Cuda 14  for my style of fishing,  even though I sacrifice deck space and comfort.

 Like everyone else said.. demo, demo, demo. As you have probably already discovered, the staff at headwaters aren't trying to sell you any kayak,  they are trying to establish lifetime customers.  Don't be shy to ask questions and demo lots of boats.