I am looking at these two kayaks and cant decide one which one to get. I want one that is stable but not a slug in the water. Mainly fishing on the Brazos and some small lake fishing.
Or are there some others that I should consider? I really like the seats and the way the Jacksons are made.

I've had a Coosa since they came out. I can stand in it ok. Speed is ok. The problem I have with it if it's windy you will be all over the place. The Cuda will track much better but you probably won't be as easy to stand in. I've never been on a Cuda so Ill let others chime in on it. I use the Coosa in smaller, shallow waters where I can't take my Outback and for that it works great. I hear the Cosa HD handles much better but it's more $ and heavier.

I've paddled both, and agree with what skeeteroneal stated above on the Coosa. I had a Cuda 12 for awhile before I sold it . It did track better. It was slightly less stable, but I could stand and fish in both. The center hatch in the Cuda was great for storing gear on multi day trips down the river.

My first fishing kayak was a Coosa. It was a great boat.But as I got further along, I wanted a boat that was faster and tracked better. I now have a Cuda 12 with a rudder. It is much better for me. Nothing wrong with the Coosa. If all I did was fish rivers & ponds I'd still have one. Frankly there are times when I wish I did have the Coosa for just those occasions. But overall I'm happier with the Cuda 12 and don't regret making the change. The Cuda is light enough and short enough to easily transport when I dont want to deal with my ATAK 140.

All preceding comments made are true IMO. I'd suggest to buy the boat to match your most frequent needs. If you will fish lakes most of the time, the Cuda will likely be better. But I believe you will like either of them.

I think fishing kayaks are like cars (sometimes girlfriends)in that your tastes and needs change over time. Both of those boats hold their value well so don't reject the idea of switching after a while.

I've had both. The Cuda 12 with rudder is a great boat and I'd recommend getting it if you don't intend to do multi day camping trips. The hatch sizes on the Cuda 12 are not ideal for packing a bunch of camping gear into. It is a little less stable that the Coosa because it is longer and not as wide. If you get the Cuda 12 without the rudder, you have wasted your money.

If you are going to do camping trips and want to stand and fish more, then get the Coosa and put an after market rudder on it from ACK. I do not like the Coosa HD. Too much going on, KISS (keep it simple stupid). Plus the way the cockpit is flat, you also have a hard time getting stuff into the hull of the boat on a camping trip. Not worth the money if you ask me.

I currently have a Big Rig and a Coosa HD. Both will be for sale soon.

Brady

Good advise already dispensed here as to the difference between the Coosa and Cuda. I will offer this: I spend a lot of time down on the Brazos below Whitney and have a spare Cuda 12 you are welcome to use if you want to fish with us. Shoot me a PM or email me at: info@lonestarchronicles.com if you want to take me up on my offer...Bert Rodriguez

What Brady said about the Cuda is dead on. I would say the same thing for any kayak 12ft and over.

I have had both of these yaks as well and all the info above I agree with. I fished out of my Cuda 12 for a year without rudder because I had never fished a kayak with a rudder and thought it wouldn't make that much difference. I know tell everybody no madder what boat your buy if its 12 foot or longer...do yourself a favor and get a rudder.

Old thread I know,

Do you have any other Yaks besides, those two? I'm looking at picking one up at the end of the year or early next year. I was going back and forth between the Cuda HD and Coosa HD. If you're selling both of yours, what are you intending on replacing them with and why?

I prefer to stand and cast but also like good tracking and speed, primary function would be lakes, secondary rivers. I can't decide what I need.

I'll chime in on this..Up until last week, I had a Jackson Coosa. Hands down the best river kayak out there. Nothing comes close. The quality of a Jackson is top notch. The way the scuppers are designed you'll have no issues with structural damage. The Coosa took me down the Devils River 2 years in a row. A lot of dragging over rocks. My friends had different brand kayaks the first year (cough cough, Ocean kayaks and Diablos) All 4 of my buddies spent most of their time draining their boats because of holes and cracks. I cruised down the river.

They all bought Coosa's for the second year.. Here is video if you'd like to see the yak in action over rapids. Devils River 2016

The only problem is if you weigh more than 220 lbs, you will mostly be sitting. Standing in the Coosa at that weight is not relaxing. Last week I sold my Coosa. The only reason was because I wanted to spend more time on all bodies of water and to be able to stand and fish. I purchased a Big Rig. It's heavy and bulky but I love it. I am pretty strong, so it's not an issue.

If you're between 180 - 200 lbs then as the video reviews show, you'll be able to stand pleasantly and fish.

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, I'll be happy to give you more specifics. Tight lines.

Would the Coosa HD work for someone 200-220 in your opinion?

Yes, I think it is actually a little wider and longer than the Coosa. 32 vs 34 inches

Yessir, you'll be fine