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For yak anglers, Jackson is a preeminent name. It ranges alongside Old Town and Hobie as one of the greats in the industry, and Jackson kayaks are regarded as some of the best.

Take the Jackson Knarr FD. This fishing platform is engineered to a T and rigged to the max to meet the needs of an ever-expanding market of yak fishermen who are, to put it lightly, quite demanding.

But what does it offer? Let’s unpack the soft details in this in-depth overview.

The Jackson Knarr: By the Details

Right off the bat, the Knarr is stacked with fisherman-friendly features. Let’s start with the 6 integrated rod holders with tip-protectors (3 on either side of the seat) that keep your outfits protected when you’re moving, keeping your rods inside the kayak.

As for tackle, there’s plenty of room under the seat for that, which keeps the cockpit open, free and clear for fishing - again, with up to 6 outfits within arm’s reach.

As for the rest of the story with respect to storage? There are two large hatches, in the bow and stern. Both are quite capacious, and more importantly, have raised lips that help keep water out. They’re more than capable of securing your tackle and gear.

Expandability is also a big bonus of the Jackson Knarr. The whole thing is outfitted with tons (seriously) of TriTrak gear tracks, lining both sides of the seat, as well as behind it. Compatible accessories can be mounted to the top - or either side - of these tracks.

Then we have the fact that the Jackson Knarr is fishfinder-ready, another big bonus for die-hard anglers, especially open-water and offshore anglers.

All of these features don’t eliminate the utility of kayak crates, but they certainly can help reduce your dependence on them - all while keeping things as, if not better, organized.

Comfort

Comfort is one of the crowning glories of the Jackson Knarr, and its EZ Hi-Lo seating system sees to that.

This thing has a wide, comfortable seat made of mesh that is both water and UV-resistant, keeping you dry and preventing premature degradation.

It’s not just height-adjustable, it can be adjusted with one hand, while the occupant is sitting in it - a game changer among fishing kayak seating.

Moreover, the Knarr now has a “seat slider system” that enables users to loosen two nuts on the track in order to effortlessly move the seat forward or back.

Jackson Knarr Power

Now let’s talk about the heart of the Jackson Knarr: the Flex Mark IV pedal drive. The FD Mark IV makes the Knarr one of the most efficient pedal kayaks on the market.

For a while now, the “kick up” market has been dominated by Hobie kayaks and their MirageDrive’s kick up fins.

Jackson is close on their heels with something new, and perhaps even better: a kick-up propeller.

When the shaft of the Flex Drive Mark IV hits something hard - like a rock or a log - the drive shaft automatically retracts into a recess in the bottom of the kayak. It can be easily re-deployed through the action of a lever.

This makes the Knarr not only more shallow water-capable, but also makes it safer to use in areas in which there are submerged obstacles that could damage the drive.

Moreover, it makes it possible to beach, land, and transport the Knarr without removing the drive system.

It’s also fast and powerful, in both forward and reverse, and the design of the kayak also features a rudder-lockout option, which comes in handy when running a trolling motor.

Speaking of which, the square transom of the Knarr is perfect for installing an electric trolling motor for supplemental power, and there’s more than enough room on the thing to power it (and your other electronics).

The Flex Drive Mark IV is also low-maintenance and easy to clean - both big benefits for serious anglers that demand unyielding performance from their gear.

What Else?

The Knarr offers some other design features that make it suitable for anglers from all walks. First, the design of the cockpit is wide and open, allowing great visibility and maneuverability for handling, casting, and fighting.

Stability is another thing that deserves a separate but dedicated callout. It boasts high gunwales and has a rounded chine that enables it to roll over waves and chop, making it stable in basically all reasonable conditions - at least for a kayak.

Moreover, the Knarr is stable enough to stand in, which, as most anglers know, is critical for the ability to sight cast to fish - or just to stretch your legs after being on the water for a while.

Want to Learn More About the Jackson Knarr?

Thinking the Jackson Knarr might be for you, but want a little more information before you make a decision one way or the other? Get some more details here on our website and if you have any questions about specifications or capabilities of this or another Jackson kayak, get in touch with us at 512-229-0560.