Went to Ray Hubbard today, and paddled about 8 or 9 miles. I zeroed, and got owned by the wind. Overall, it was a good day. I realize that I have a lot to learn about how to handle my boat. I can't wait for a fair weather day with some decent fishing.

Based on reading reviews, I think I may have had some unrealistic apprehensions of how well the boat would track, handle, and how fast it would move. I've only paddled a Future Beach Trophy 126, which is a very different boat all together. I'm going to demo some stuff at the G2G, and will have a better reference to write a review.

With any yak wind is going to be an issue. You will learn how to deal with wind. There are days when the wind is too high to yak fish. I would say today was a borderline wind day. I chose not to yak today myself due to the excessive winds. Does your Cuda have a rudder?

Jerry is right about yak'ing in the wind. And there is no such thing as the perfect kayak. There are always going to be trade off's. I personally have two yaks in my "fleet". One SOT and a SINK. I originally got the SINK for recreational paddling with my wife, but I now find myself using it more and more for fishing. In addition to being a good "cold water" boat, it is amazing how well it performs both in windy conditions and paddling against currents.

Now I just need to add a Hobie Mirage and my armada will be complete!

No rudder. I want to put some time in it before i decide. Just want to affirm that I'm saying there's something wrong with the boat, or I'm not happy with it. I just think my ideas we're irrational because i had never been in a high end yak. I think I'm gonna love this thing.

Today was a windy son of a gun on the water. I gave up around noon. You'll learn to find protected areas to stay out of the wind. Good luck!

I have been wanting to paddle one of those Cudas. I will be at the GTG and have a 14' Native Manta Ray if you wanna swap out for an hour or so. Like everyone says though, there is no perfect yak, I think a man (or woman) needs atleast 2 or 3!

I'm pretty hardcore and don't let much get in the way when it comes to kayak fishing, but 15+ mph winds can take the fun out of it. I went to Lake Arlington around 5pm yesterday and I was soaked to the bone in no time. My kayak is 14ft long and only 26" wide so it's pretty fast compared to the majority of sot's, but I felt like I was going nowhere fast. Search out some launch points with coves that will give you cover from the wind during high wind days. There's pretty good cover at Murrell Park on Lake Grapevine or put in at the Ft. Worth Nature Center and fish the Trinity, or exit Cahoba drive on 820w and launch at Lake Worth on windy days.

Lots of times when there is a strong south wind predicted i will paddle down the Brazos early before the wind pics up and let it blow me back up river. Use it to your advantage.

I went out around 5pm today and it was windy. I took out the battle ship and found myself using my paddle quite a bit to help me turn.

I took this crazy route.

I paddle my Cuda on the coast the last 2 days and fought the wind. My last boat was a Tarpon 140. The Tarpon was a little faster and handled the wind better as well. The seat on the Cuda is over the top comfortable. I had a little water in the Cuda after fighting the wind and waves Saturday. I wish the hatches were part of the mold and not rivetted on like they are. I think that is where the water came in, along the base of the hatch. Not sure, but it'd be my guess. I took loads of water over the bow paddling in to the wind and plenty over the sides while drifting/anchored. It was a tough day on the water Saturday but I thought the Cuda handled well over all. Sunday, I hid from the wind a little better but was pretty exposed to the wind and waves Saturday.

We'll have Cudas, Coosas, and hopefully the new Big Tuna at the GTG for folks to try.

Really want to check out the Big Tuna!

Here's a preview:

http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2012/03/14/big-tunas-are-swiming-closer-to-your-waters/

Man, that thing looks like it should have one of theses on it.