I was ready to buy an Outlaw. The Perception dealer is only 1.5 hours away. At the time it was one of the cheapest kayaks with a frame seat. I saw the front molded in handle as a great place to stage three rods for floats down a river. Then I saw Only Fins' video going down a river. Glad I spent the little extra for the Bite. I don't tournament fish, but I'm curious as to what these two kayaks need to become tournament kayaks, can you help me choose a tournament kayak?
The first kayak to catch my eye was the Outlaw. At the time it was least expensive kayak with a frame seat, but seemed to be made for lakes and ponds. Then I found the Crescent CK1 for the rivers and creeks i mainly fish, but the CK1 seemed to be built for class 2 waters, and doesn't offer solid primary stability. Jackson listened to us and re-designed the Bite in 2021, and I've been loving my Bites since then. It really is all you need.
Two years ago, I was in the market for a kayak in the $1K range - predominantly for fly fishing, so I wanted an open deck. It was between the Outlaw and Bite Angler. The Outlaw was readily available in my area, so I thought that would ultimately be my next kayak. But when I saw it in person, it just looked heavy and clunky. Plus, I wasn't in love with the overall aesthetic and colorway options. Around the same time, a local lake outfitter in my area started carrying Jackson kayaks. Although, I really liked the Yupik, the Bite was more in my price range. It was during Jackson's annual sale, so got it 15% off paying around $930. I'm very satisfied with my purchase of the Bite in the classic Forest color. The trimming of the seat for paddling in still or moving water is a great feature. The Bite's low profile also makes it more resistant to being pushed around in the wind. My main gripe is no high-low option for the seat. But it does sit in a comfortable middle position- not too high or low.
I don't know. A thousand bucks in 2024 is not a lot for a kayak. That both companies can keep the prices that low is unbelievable. I never paddled a Bite but I have paddled the Outlaw. OMG!!! It killed my arms. I have a Perception Pescador Pro 120 that paddles like a dream. I knew the Outlaw would be different, but I was not expecting it to be so much more difficult to paddle. However, the Outlaw comes ready with multiple rod holders, rails for accessories and a spot for your transponder. To get similar on the Bite you have to buy the Angler version for over a thousand dollars. I am a paddler so I would choose the Bite over the Outlaw as it paddles better (so I have been told), has foot pegs and a lower seat for a better paddle position. Plus the handles are the best in the business. Thanks for the review. I have been wanting to see these two compared side by side for a while now.
Both great kayaks. I think at this price point they both should have fittings in the front and back for motors, anchors or accessories. Things like high/low seating should be what sets them apart in features.
Thanks for the great review. I recently sold my heavy peddle drive fishing kayak. It was fun in the beginning but as I've gotten older with lower back issues I wasn't enjoying it anymore. Loading, unloading, sitting long hours, peddling, etc. was getting to be more of a hassle. I do love the kayak for the connection with the water and nature. No motors just peace and tranquility. I've become more of a minimalist lately and looking to go back to simpler fishing. I want a lighter and simplistic kayak for primarily shallow creeks and rivers. This allows me to paddle to a spot get out and fish by wading. No more lake fishing out of a kayak for me. Since I don't want to spend too much...the Jackson Bite has my interest. Do you think I should also consider looking at the NuCanoe Flint for creeks/rivers, etc.? Appreciate any feedback/thoughts!!
First, thanks for awesome videos. My husband and I are looking for our first fly fishing kayaks. We are older (70 +/-), but fit. We will be primarily fishing smallish streams in VA, and doing a little recreational paddling too. We’ve watched your videos on Nucanoe, Bonafide, Jackson, Perception….and maybe more😊. A bit overwhelmed…. Any suggestions for starting points? We don’t have to get the same model! Tracking, and sitting a bit deeper seem more important to me. Clean deck and comfortable seat seem more important to him. Thanks so much! Fantastic site for information!
@@judiedwards6445 I would look at the Bonafide SKF117 and the Liquidlogic Versa. They are both identical except for the seat. Nucanoe U10 is another good one. Enjoy and good luck!
easy the build quality of the jackson is far better than the outlaw. Also the flexibility of the bite is better with the adjustable seat.. Our crew has guys using the outlaw since thats all they could get at the time. The build quality is sub par and they keep wanting to replace them with bites after trying mine. The only area that the outlaw wins out is the slightly lighter weight.
also I can add in more weight into the bite. Ive had 450lbs in it and it did well. Also the hull design of the outlaw SUCKS. It gets caught on logs or rocks when you go over them. The ONLY thing I wish the bite had was tracks in the back to secure gear to. Theres times I haul a Stihl 262 in the back and a little fuel so I wish it was more secure than the bungies.
Yeah, I have always thought that Jackson weight capacities were conservative. I never want to give that expectation to someone but I would be more confident in the capacity of the Jackson than I would the Perception.
@@thebeardedpaddler in a heartbeat. I would rather they err on the side of being conservative vs underestimating them or worse yet lying about them like bonafide does. Ive put 550lbs in my coosa x and still had room to spare. As we scout rivers for downed trees, the guys with the perceptions are wishing they had a bite.
I'm with you about the lack of track in the rear of the Bite. It's easy enough to install, but added time and expense for the buyer. The Bite also has shallow rectangular indentations on either side of the seat that--according to Jackson--are for securing lures. But you have to buy the deck pad kit to get the pads that fit the indentations. I'd much rather have gear track there or a deeper recess for storing tackle. But these are really minor quibbles, as I'm very pleased with the Bite overall.
@@FScammell3 2 completely different kayaks. Outlaw is very stable and comfortable but very sluggish in paddle performance. Mainly designed for lakes and ponds The Shoalie is designed for rivers and creeks and paddle performance is way up there but won't be near as stable. They are both solid but designed for 2 different types of water. Thanks for watching!
Let me know which one you like the best
Jackson just does more out of the gate.
I was ready to buy an Outlaw. The Perception dealer is only 1.5 hours away. At the time it was one of the cheapest kayaks with a frame seat. I saw the front molded in handle as a great place to stage three rods for floats down a river. Then I saw Only Fins' video going down a river. Glad I spent the little extra for the Bite. I don't tournament fish, but I'm curious as to what these two kayaks need to become tournament kayaks, can you help me choose a tournament kayak?
The first kayak to catch my eye was the Outlaw. At the time it was least expensive kayak with a frame seat, but seemed to be made for lakes and ponds. Then I found the Crescent CK1 for the rivers and creeks i mainly fish, but the CK1 seemed to be built for class 2 waters, and doesn't offer solid primary stability. Jackson listened to us and re-designed the Bite in 2021, and I've been loving my Bites since then. It really is all you need.
@@The66Leadfoot great feedback
Two years ago, I was in the market for a kayak in the $1K range - predominantly for fly fishing, so I wanted an open deck. It was between the Outlaw and Bite Angler. The Outlaw was readily available in my area, so I thought that would ultimately be my next kayak. But when I saw it in person, it just looked heavy and clunky. Plus, I wasn't in love with the overall aesthetic and colorway options.
Around the same time, a local lake outfitter in my area started carrying Jackson kayaks. Although, I really liked the Yupik, the Bite was more in my price range. It was during Jackson's annual sale, so got it 15% off paying around $930. I'm very satisfied with my purchase of the Bite in the classic Forest color. The trimming of the seat for paddling in still or moving water is a great feature. The Bite's low profile also makes it more resistant to being pushed around in the wind. My main gripe is no high-low option for the seat. But it does sit in a comfortable middle position- not too high or low.
Yes, yes, and yes!
Glad you like it!
I don't know. A thousand bucks in 2024 is not a lot for a kayak. That both companies can keep the prices that low is unbelievable.
I never paddled a Bite but I have paddled the Outlaw. OMG!!! It killed my arms. I have a Perception Pescador Pro 120 that paddles like a dream. I knew the Outlaw would be different, but I was not expecting it to be so much more difficult to paddle.
However, the Outlaw comes ready with multiple rod holders, rails for accessories and a spot for your transponder. To get similar on the Bite you have to buy the Angler version for over a thousand dollars.
I am a paddler so I would choose the Bite over the Outlaw as it paddles better (so I have been told), has foot pegs and a lower seat for a better paddle position. Plus the handles are the best in the business.
Thanks for the review. I have been wanting to see these two compared side by side for a while now.
Thanks for watching as always!
Both great kayaks. I think at this price point they both should have fittings in the front and back for motors, anchors or accessories. Things like high/low seating should be what sets them apart in features.
I cant say i disagree. The lack of adequate bow mount would set it apart
Thanks for the great review. I recently sold my heavy peddle drive fishing kayak. It was fun in the beginning but as I've gotten older with lower back issues I wasn't enjoying it anymore. Loading, unloading, sitting long hours, peddling, etc. was getting to be more of a hassle. I do love the kayak for the connection with the water and nature. No motors just peace and tranquility. I've become more of a minimalist lately and looking to go back to simpler fishing. I want a lighter and simplistic kayak for primarily shallow creeks and rivers. This allows me to paddle to a spot get out and fish by wading. No more lake fishing out of a kayak for me. Since I don't want to spend too much...the Jackson Bite has my interest. Do you think I should also consider looking at the NuCanoe Flint for creeks/rivers, etc.? Appreciate any feedback/thoughts!!
The Flint is great. Check out my list of hybrid kayaks. That's what I use and they are light and very capable
@@thebeardedpaddler Will do. Thanks!
I'd be curious how the Bonafide SKF fits into this conversation on the throw and go kayak market.
I've done a video on it if you want to check it out
First, thanks for awesome videos. My husband and I are looking for our first fly fishing kayaks. We are older (70 +/-), but fit. We will be primarily fishing smallish streams in VA, and doing a little recreational paddling too. We’ve watched your videos on Nucanoe, Bonafide, Jackson, Perception….and maybe more😊. A bit overwhelmed…. Any suggestions for starting points? We don’t have to get the same model! Tracking, and sitting a bit deeper seem more important to me. Clean deck and comfortable seat seem more important to him. Thanks so much! Fantastic site for information!
@@judiedwards6445 I would look at the Bonafide SKF117 and the Liquidlogic Versa. They are both identical except for the seat. Nucanoe U10 is another good one.
Enjoy and good luck!
Thank you!
Does the bottom of the outlaw have any issues in really shallow water? It looks like the plastic goes down quite far.
It can is really shallow water for the reasons you mention.
@@thebeardedpaddler thanks
My Outlaw is imo the best fishing platform you can get out of an under $1k kayak. Keep it simple and you’ve got a fishing machine.
I don't even use the seat on my outlaw I just sit on my yetti 35 it works perfect
@@ericmiller1100 that's a really cool feature on the Outlaw
easy the build quality of the jackson is far better than the outlaw. Also the flexibility of the bite is better with the adjustable seat.. Our crew has guys using the outlaw since thats all they could get at the time. The build quality is sub par and they keep wanting to replace them with bites after trying mine. The only area that the outlaw wins out is the slightly lighter weight.
also I can add in more weight into the bite. Ive had 450lbs in it and it did well. Also the hull design of the outlaw SUCKS. It gets caught on logs or rocks when you go over them.
The ONLY thing I wish the bite had was tracks in the back to secure gear to. Theres times I haul a Stihl 262 in the back and a little fuel so I wish it was more secure than the bungies.
Yeah, I have always thought that Jackson weight capacities were conservative. I never want to give that expectation to someone but I would be more confident in the capacity of the Jackson than I would the Perception.
@@thebeardedpaddler in a heartbeat. I would rather they err on the side of being conservative vs underestimating them or worse yet lying about them like bonafide does. Ive put 550lbs in my coosa x and still had room to spare.
As we scout rivers for downed trees, the guys with the perceptions are wishing they had a bite.
I'm with you about the lack of track in the rear of the Bite. It's easy enough to install, but added time and expense for the buyer. The Bite also has shallow rectangular indentations on either side of the seat that--according to Jackson--are for securing lures. But you have to buy the deck pad kit to get the pads that fit the indentations. I'd much rather have gear track there or a deeper recess for storing tackle. But these are really minor quibbles, as I'm very pleased with the Bite overall.
Look for a kayak for big lakes that can handle a little choppy water I’m about 6,0 265 what would you recommend?
Both of these are fine for that. As always, please wear a proper fitting PFD
Would love to see an outlaw vs shoals shootout I realize the shoals is more expensive but is it worth the price?
@@FScammell3 2 completely different kayaks. Outlaw is very stable and comfortable but very sluggish in paddle performance. Mainly designed for lakes and ponds
The Shoalie is designed for rivers and creeks and paddle performance is way up there but won't be near as stable.
They are both solid but designed for 2 different types of water.
Thanks for watching!