Jackson Kayak Bite FD Review

Pedal Kayaking is a very fun sport that gets even better when you have the proper equipment to go with it. The Jackson Kayak Bite FD may have some good features, but overall it is not a great piece of equipment to purchase. There are many others that you can spend your money on.

It may be worth a try, but you will soon find out that it’s a total waste of money when you aren’t getting the full experience from it. From being overpriced and not offering what other kayak equipment does, you will tend to miss out on a lot.

Jackson Kayak Bite FD: The Pros

Some useful features of the Jackson Kayak Bite FD are worth noting here. Some of the best features e that it does offer a flex drive, front gear tracks, a large bow storage area, an ERGO seat, and even flush mount rod holders.

This kayak is designed for fishing, and it will allow you to do just that. The seat is very comfortable, and it doesn’t require too much rigging to start it up. You can use this kayak for 7 hours straight without having to worry about your bottom hurting.

Another positive feature of the Jackson Kayak Bite FD is that it is elementary to pedal. You want something that is both lightweight and easy to maneuver. Moving it from your truck to the water shouldn’t be a problem. You can load and unload it yourself without the assistance of a cart. It weighs about 72 pounds. It is stable which allows you to stand up and fish without too much trouble.

The length is also another good feature to note. It measures about 11 feet by 6 inches which is average for a kayak boat. The total capacity comes out to be about average as well, coming in at about 400 pounds. It is hard to find an all-in-one kayak unless you spend a nice chunk of change. This kayak is up there in price and should give you what you bargained for.

This kayak also allows you to experience different rod stages and there is a lot of storage to lay extra rods behind the seat just in case. The kayak is a bit on the versatile side which allows you to use it more than just fishing.

All in all, it allows you to multitask while fishing. You can stand up, move to the front to grab some things, and not have to worry about tipping over or losing your balance. The wide hull feature allows you to do those things, that you normally wouldn’t be able to do in a regular kayak.

Jackson Kayak Bite FD: The Cons

Overall, there’s a lot more that we dislike about the Jackson Kayak Bite FD. The tracking is not great on the kayak. In short, it doesn’t move too well. That is a BIG problem when we are talking about a pedal kayak!

There are other slimmer and longer kayaks that are similar that move a lot better than the Jackson Kayak Bite FD. There is also no internal storage making it easy for you to lose a few things along the way. If you are experiencing water that is not calm, this would not be a good fit. The seat mounting brackets are also not secure enough for someone using this boat.

This kayak is also not right in high wind conditions. You may end up finding yourself drifting into hanging tree branches and in winds stronger than 15 mph. Again, this is a massive problem for a pedal kayak.

There isn’t enough rod storage so bring very few if you want to secure them underneath your seat. For it to cost so much money, you would expect a little bit more out of it. There are other kayaks out there that cost the same price and do a much better job with both stability and maneuvering. It obviously leads to the next point that it is just way too expensive to not perform at 100%.

Jackson Kayak Bite FD blog post image

The Jackson Kayak Bite FD is Perfect for:

This kayak is perfect for someone who does not do a lot of fish kayaking. If you are a rookie with an unlimited budget, this is for you.

Just don’t take into high winds because if you aren’t experienced enough, you may end up stuck someplace. It is also not the best to take out in high waves. It works better in calmer waters. The Jackson Kayak Bite FD is great to gain experience and learn about kayaking. It is lightweight and useful for outdoor enthusiasts.

If you love the outdoors and you are an adventurous person, this is for you. From sportsmen to anglers, everyone can probably gain something from this kayak.

Even though this boat isn’t an entry-level price, it is suitable for the non-experienced and experienced. If you are experienced, you may be able to deal with the kayak on a much windier day. For those who enjoy an excellent workout, the Jackson Bite is for you. You’ll get a workout from all the pedaling that you will have to do once you’re in the water. If you like to spend a lot of money, this is also something for you. Obviously, if you enjoy fishing, you should give it a go. This is for those who are just okay with dealing with an average kayak. In the long run, when you’re looking to get a bit more from your kayak, you may end up purchasing something of better quality.

Final Verdict on the Jackson Kayak

If you’re looking for something of high quality that features all the bells and whistles, this is not the kayak for you. If you are looking for that, then we recommend Hobie Pedal Kayaks

It may feel in the gap for entry-level kayakers and people that just out to get a taste of what it’s like to fish kayak, but it’s only suitable for short-term temporary use. It may be useful for pedaling, but it’s not a good value for your money. You can purchase a much cheaper kayak that will perform ten times better than this one.

See you on the water!

Article Author
Robert Walker has been a Kayak enthusiast for over a decade. He's owned several different Kayak's, but only recently got into Pedal Kayaks in the last few years. This website is Robert's way of sharing his passion for Pedal Kayak's with the world.