Kraken
 

Anyone else fish the open ocean off of a Jackson Kayak Kraken? Kauaiboy04 gave me some great info. Just looking for more feedback.
Thanks, Dennis

There's some guy named Jim that fishes one.

Search Jim Sammons kayak fishing show. He helped develop that kayak. Clips on YouTube and such.

Thanks.. I know Jim. Just looking for "other" feedback. ;)

I took a close look at one at the Fred Hall show yesterday. I was impressed. 30" wide, streamlined, good rocker, nice bait tank set up, adjustable seat, gear tracks and rod holders all over the place. Looking forward to paddling one at the next OEX demo day.

The kraken kayak has an very well laid out platform and does well in open waters. I would put it up there with a trident 15.

Trident 15 is way lighter in terms of weight. Is an inch shorter in width which makes for a faster paddle and has over 500 lbs capacity. The trident was also almost half the price. In my opinion the newer kayaks although having more comforts come at the price of having way to much weight and price is to high.

It's a kayak that had a very experienced kayak fisherman involved in the design. As such, it has some really nice features. IMNSHO, the beam (the width) is about ideal for a fishing kayak. I'd have to actually paddle one to know, but my first impression is that I'd like the forward keel a little deeper and longer. The rear appears pretty much just right. So what does this mean in layman's terms. it has to do with how well the boat tracks, how well it paddles into the wind, and how it overall handles choppy conditions. A shallower rear keel (actually a skeg), allows the boat to turn faster (the front does the opposite, to a degree); so a balance is needed. If you have a deep rear keel, the boat will track exceptionally well, but it wont turn for $#@&. Now what I'm talking about is actually very minor adjustment in the hull, that most would not notice.

I'm not sure if the boat comes with a grudgeon, but I would hope so, so you could add a rudder, primarily for windy conditions, as the hull looks like a very nice design, and will handle most conditions well without a rudder.

Does it have inside rod storage, it looks like it should, but I have yet to see one in person, and up close.

I like the built in bait tank pump, I actually cut a hole in my kayak to put one in. The only issue I see with this, is the placement could be problematic as it will clog with kelp and such. I positioned my just in-front of me, to my left side, so I can reach down and clean it when necessary. If you could throw in a reverse switch, it would solve this problem. But honestly, I don't even know (off the top of my head) if these pumps can do that.

Now those are about all I could possibly complain about, and to do so, I'm being exceptionally picky. The fact is that the Kraken looks like a solid fishing machine, well designed, and almost ready to fish, with a lot of very nice features, just add a fishfinder/gps, and hook up the bait tank pump, and your ready to go.

IMNSHO, Hobie has a hit with the pedal drive, but they severely lack in hull design on their fishing kayaks. They could and should take note here with the Kraken. But then a pedal drive is not well suited for every situation, but much better suited for others; calm open water comes to mind here.

Personally, if I were looking for a production kayak, I'd be looking at the Kraken.

Now how did I forget, the adjustable seat, man I can see using that as my load changes with added weight of fish. It's a sweet feature.

have you checked out the thresher?

The Kracken is pre plumbed for a rudder. Jim was explaining the benefits of their rudder design over others, but as I haven't used one my mind was wandering while he was talking thinking how troll lines could get hung up back there.

It would be interesting seeing the Kracken and Thresher side by side.

I think OEX Mission Bay is having a demo day on the 14th. Definitely recommend checking them out in person. The Thresher and the Kraken are two really great paddling kayaks made for fishing.

Biggest differences would be the price point, packaged items, and seat.

For the price point, because the Kraken comes with much more "stuff" (Kkrate, scupper for bait pump, scupper for transducer, RAM rocket launchers, tackle boxes...) it costs more out of the box than the Thresher. One thing I absolutely love is the new tackle retention system. Essentially its gear tracks that can lock down the KKrate and tacklebox to the kayak, so IF you roll, you'll know your stuff won't be leaving the yak.

Having the adjustable retention seat is pretty sweet too. When launching and landing, being able to move your seat further back allows the yakker to punch over surf, and while landing I feel less to nose dive. Especially when added weight from "fish cargo", its a definite plus.

Why is it anytime someone mentions a Jackson Kayak, inevitably someone else mentions a Wildy?

Kraken
 

I forgot about clogs in the pump. Based on the position of the pump if your seat is far back it is difficult to get to. However, it should be easy to remove the housing and pull the offending material out of the pump. When you get the hang of it, taking apart the pump is not difficult. I will check it out on Demo day.

I've never had an issue with the bait pump for the kraken. There is literally a recessed scupper for a bait pump, and the only part exposed to the water is the bottom of the pump.

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...ick-disconnect

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...f7fdd299_l.jpg
http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...9036b7d4_l.jpg

Bentrod. Just remember on your test paddle to make sure you pick it up off the ground. Put it on top of your car rack. Then take it off your car. Carry it or roll it to the launch and then test paddle the yaks so you het the reality of how owning one would be.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...5559b95bb3.jpg
Kraken 110 lbs with included accessories
Thresher is 80 lbs
And the ocean kayak ultra is 77lbs

110 is a heavy kayak to pull over sand

Thanks for the info gents. FYI, no demo day at San Diego location, just Sunset. I just called OEX (MB) and they have a Kraken available for test paddle.

WHEEL-EZE will work well even for the Pa 12 and PA 14's and they are heavier than the kraken

Kraken Test Drive
 

A few months ago OEX had Jim out at there place in Mission Bay, I was able to test drive the Kraken at that point. I played offensive line in college and being a big guy it has always been a problem to find a kayak that will float me and my gear without loosing maneuverability. The Kraken is big enough to float me and my gear, and it paddles like a dream. Granted I am used to paddling an OK Prowler Big Game, but I would give the Kraken 2 thumbs up, it may be my next boat.

110 lbs seems like a lot. I'm interested in where you found that info. Thanks

tank, box, seat etc.


I love the bow shape, nice mix of lift and slice, performs very well in open water chop and swell. I consider it in the same arena as the Trident 15 or the Thresher 155. In all honesty the 3 I mention are all too big for what i am looking for in my kayak, but would highly recommend trying one. Very smart design.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall.../IMG_38352.JPG

Trident 15 angler is only 60lbs and capacity is 500-550 lbs. the only complaint I have about it is that it catches the wind on the side during windy days on the water.

Sorry, yak-fishing-SoCal. 110lbs straight from the website. But, hull weight is similar to the Ultra and Thresher. Weight will increase with any kayak once rigged. I really like the seat on the kraken. It looks sexy.. And comfortable!

What are your thoughts on the Thresher 14 Andy?

My Trident feels heavier than 60lbs.. Lol. Maybe I'm just weak.

I am not Andy, but I like mine, just the right size and I can still move it around, at 66 Years of age it is still manageable.

Yeah the T15 is closer to 75 pounds unlaiden so yes the Kraken is a tad heavier but then again a ton lighter than the Hobies out there.

someone mentioned the pump clogging, with many days on the water and going over the thick kelp and weeds it has yet to happen to me.

The Demo is at Sunset shop next Saturday and I am going to try and come up and bring a couple more Krakens so people can try them out. I have one with a rudder and one without.

Thanks for the input! I eventually want to upgrade from my Stealth 14 and love the idea of the Kraken and the Thresher15 but don't think they'll fit length-wise in my garage... (it's shallow at about 15' max) ...so I'm thinking something the same size as my Stealth 14 would be best. I'm a big guy though, and that extra capacity would be nice... but just have cut back on all the crap I bring... lol...

Wonder if Jackson has any plans in the works to make a smaller version of "the Kraken"... like 14'... they could call it "the Squid"... lol... Seriously though, I'd sure be interested in it if they did!

As others have mentioned there is a demo day this weekend at OEX. If not and you're ever in my area I'd love to let Ya take my thresher 155 for a spin and see how you like it.

Thank you for the kind offer... I'm going to attempt to get to OEX this Saturday if time permits... as I said though... don't think I have the room for a boat over 15'... mine is 14' 6" and it barely fits... and I have nowhere else to store it so I'm limited. :(

They have a shorter thresher, I love the flex pod for the fishfinder/ battery.

In the bu' I have problems with eel grass clogging my pump on my Hobie tank.


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it wouldn't be right
 

if they did not try and keep up with hobie .

SHOTS FIRED!!!!!!

In regards to the bait pumps, I believe that if you just reverse the terminals it will go backwards. Im pretty positive.

Here is a new walkthrough video we did on the Kraken
https://youtu.be/as-pgrKrWas

Lol

I mentioned on someone's fish report that I thought they had a thresher seeing it otw. Didn't realize it was a kraken. Two awesome looking boats!

Attachment 16055

Picked mine up a couple weeks ago.
 

Haven't had it long enough for a detailed opinion but hears the short term thinking.

It's long and heavy, had an Outback before so no huge difference in weight once loaded. I do use an hitch extender so it's very easy to load on my truck.

Had to change to a paddle type cause of knee issues. Kraken paddles very well and the rudder helps with getting the big boy around and makes for easy paddling without changing up strokes. The seat's comfy as any, adjustments can be made to compensate for load changes or even launching and returning thru swell.

Just got my bait tank rigged so no comment on placement or performance yet.

Front hatch is good for long term storage but not easily accessed while at sea. Center hatch has good storage. I haven't tried rod storage there yet.

OEX Mission Bay has one to demo, just call em. If you live in the SD North County you're welcome to check mine out.

Interesting addition - the new Kraken 13.5 http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/kayak/k...s/kraken-13-5/

I have a Thresher 140 and it's a pretty good Kayak. Paddles pretty well, and the tracking is fair compared to other kayaks I have paddled. Very stable, and comfortable. I recommend test paddling anything you are thinking of buying so you can get the feel for it.