Jackson Bite FD kayak | Watch before you buy!

I go over the Jackson Bite FD (Flex Drive) and discuss who its for, price, specs, and what its designed for. Also talk about the redesigned Flex Drive and what makes it better. The Bite FD is a stable fishing kayak and the Bite FD flex drive setup is great for river fishing as well as lake fishing. The Jackson Bite FD is one of the best values for pedal drive fishing kayaks.
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[@kevinpitts3548]

I just got one today! Bought it for $2099 new! We drove 3 hours to get it. Can't wait to get it on the water! I'm a smaller guy, and so I thought this would be easier than the Knarr. I could have gotten the demo for 300 more. Almost got the Knarr, but decided not to because I am putting it in the bed of my Tundra. The Knarr was heavy!

[@stevesafety6743]

Congrats! Great deal, I’m envious. $2699 here.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Way to go. That's a great deal. Where did you get it?

[@thebeardedpaddler]

@@stevesafety6743 better than the $2999 they were last year though lol

[@kevinpitts3548]

I got it in Arlington Texas at Mountain Sports.

[@bobbyhogan9207]

Another great video walkthrough 👊 We got a Coosa FD in the shop. Would be great to see a walkthrough on that sweet ride 😎 The Bite FD is a strong kayak and a wonderful choice as an entry level pedal drive 👊😎

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Facts

[@doctorkayak]

Entry level? C'mon it's a beast!

[@EKB_RC]

Ah I found it haha put Jackson bite fd in the title so it shows up when someone searches it haha great best run thur I have seen fast informative a+++

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Way ahead of ya! Thanks!

[@doctorkayak]

Flex Drive initially meant that you could either peddle it OR use the E-Drive electric motor which was the most ingenious marriage between a kayak and a motor to date. After offering the E-Drive for a short time, Jackson stopped doing business with the company who made the E-Drive and blamed everything from Covid to "supply chain issues". They even denied that they discontinued it after they discontinued it. This soured me from Jackson. I don't hate them and I certainly love the Bite but it is NOT a "Flex Drive" anymore in MY OPINION. They either need to reintroduce a motor or stop calling it a "Flex Drive". I have three years so far on mine. One thing to try and remember is the prop does not "automatically" turn flat when you raise it all the way up. Meaning that a blade can hit the closed cleanout hatch door. Do that enough times and you may damage your prop, I damaged mine. Had to replace it. The raised covers for the steering rods are not needed, they actually get in the way if you want to mount gear tracks and whatnots. It looks like they did it for a way to lace the bungies. You can remove them and put flat Starboard in their place. I made my own out of cutting boards. Also Jackson could do a better job of sealing EVERY screw entry point. On a camping trip I left it on the shore and it rained for about 10 hours and the inside of the hull filled with water. Not knowing that it had water in it I got in and pushed away from the shore and I was immediately tossed into the deep cold Taquamenon river where it meets Lake Superior. A kayak with water inside the hull is DANGERIOUSLY unstable. I had to unscrew every screw and add silicone. "Hands free experience" I haven't witnessed that. I just posted a rig rundown on my Bite this morning on my channel. Again I love my Bite and I use it a lot! No kayak is perfect but this Bearded Paddler dude comes pretty close. Love your vids!

[@thebeardedpaddler]

As always I appreciate your feedback. You're correct in that there is no "perfect" kayak. A lot of give and take with all manufacturers. The E-Drive just couldn't compete with some of the trolling motor setups in price point. We just never sold many of them after a while it fizzled when more budget friendly options came out.

[@doctorkayak]

@@thebeardedpaddler Absolutely love my E-Drive. Worth every penny!

[@thebeardedpaddler]

@@doctorkayak You are not the only one I assure you. Maybe they will come out with something redesigned that will be comparable!

[@richardiancarpenter534]

Thank you for putting out these reviews. If you have a moment, I have question I would like to ask of you. For a first-time fishing kayak purchase, which would you recommend: the Jackson Bite FD or the Nucanoe Flint with Pivot Drive? I have demo'd and tried several fishing kayaks and I am leaning towards these two. I live in NJ, and have several smaller lakes, plus some creeks and rivers (including the Delaware, though I probably will not fish it much). Either of them look capable of fitting the bill for my fishing adventures. I especially like the idea of having the propellers being able to get pulled up from the water if I run shallow or into heavy weeds. I've sat in both, liked both, and can't decide. Thank you, in advance!

[@thebeardedpaddler]

I love the Flint but as a paddler. The Bite FD gives you the ability to clear weeds from your seated position. The Mark IV drive is also a huge improvement

[@richardiancarpenter534]

@@thebeardedpaddler Thank you for the response, sir EDIT: I'm hoping to pick up my new kayak (Jackson Bite FD) tomorrow.

[@BWT1279]

Considering both the Bite and the Coosa FD's. How do they stack up from a stability stand point? I'd probably prefer the seat in the Coosa with the added height adjustment but stability is my prime concern. Thank you for all the great videos and information!

[@thebeardedpaddler]

I really like the Coosa FD. Stability wise there is not a huge difference between the 2. The Coosa is a little heavier is all. I like the layout better on the Coosa fd

[@zoommaster7253]

Explain more on the upper and lower with drive ? I was confused ?

[@thebeardedpaddler]

2 units upper is the pedal portion and the lower is the prop unit. The drive separates into 2 parts for service and transport. The bottom unit stays on the kayak

[@user-sm7cx6fx2v]

Any opinion on the best and worst pedal drives? How's the Jackson Flex Drive in salt water? Thanks.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

This one (new one) is perfect for saltwater.

[@zoommaster7253]

How’s rudder banging in shallows?

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Not bad at all. There is a keel that protects the rudder. Not impossible to bang on shallows but it is well protected

[@EKB_RC]

Okay only one more ask from you haha how hard is it to pull the upper peddle system out and could you do a short showing it please haha thanks man

[@thebeardedpaddler]

I will Tuesday!

[@thebeardedpaddler]

It's up now!

[@TrumpOrBust]

How much weight person/gear until the deck is wet?

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Under the weight capacity

[@TrumpOrBust]

@thebeardedpaddler Weight capacity listed as 400lbs. There is no way that deck is dry, supporting 400 lbs.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

@@TrumpOrBust not sure what to tell ya. The weight capacity is not the point to which water comes into the boat with Jackson. It's the point where the on the water performance suffers.

[@TrumpOrBust]

@@thebeardedpaddler That's impressive. Thank you for the information

[@curtnelson6240]

Looks like you pretty much have to get into the water to put the rudder on.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

No I keep it on.