Pedal Kayaks · Fishing
The Jackson Big Rig FD is a giant of a fishing kayak. At 13 feet 3 inches and 40 inches wide with a 550-pound capacity, it is built for anglers who refuse to leave gear at home.
The Jackson Big Rig FD is a giant of a fishing kayak. At 13 feet 3 inches and 40 inches wide with a 550-pound capacity, it is built for anglers who refuse to leave gear at home. The Mark IV Flex Drive gives you hands-free pedal power, and the hull has the stability to let you stand, cast, and fight fish with confidence.
If you want to skip the reading and see what it costs right now, check the current price here.
Who the Big Rig FD is for
This kayak is for serious anglers and bigger paddlers who want maximum stability and capacity. Tournament guys who carry eight rods, electronics, and a tackle shop will feel at home. It suits lakes, big rivers, and inshore saltwater. If you want to pedal hands-free all day, stand up to sight fish, and never worry about deck space, this is your boat.
Stability: a standing barge
Stability is the Big Rig’s calling card. The 40-inch beam and high-volume hull make standing easy, even for larger anglers. Jackson built this as their most stable fishing kayak, and it shows. You can walk the deck, land fish, and lean on the rails without the boat feeling nervous. In chop it feels planted. Wind can push the big hull around, but that is the trade every wide boat makes.
The Comfort Seat and ergonomics
The current Big Rig FD ships with the Comfort Seat 5.0, which has a deeper ergonomic base and better lower-back support than earlier seats. The patented EZ Hi-Lo system lets you raise or lower the seat with one hand, so you can go high for sight fishing or low for paddling through wind. There is plenty of legroom, and the seat adjusts fore and aft for trim.
Storage and rigging
Rigging is where the Big Rig earns its name. You get a four-rod management system with molded tip protectors, molded-in fly rod holders, full-length gear tracks bow to stern, massive bow and stern storage wells, an included hatch bin, and a large transducer scupper for oversized sonar units. The stern has a four-hole bolt pattern ready for a Power-Pole or Torqeedo motor. The bungee-less bow keeps line snags to a minimum.
Pedal drive performance
The Flex Drive Mark IV is Jackson’s best pedal system yet: faster, quieter, and more durable than earlier versions, with forward and reverse. It pedals efficiently and handles shallow water well, since the drive tucks up out of the way. The hull tracks straight under pedal power and paddles fine when the drive is removed. Steering runs through a rudder, and the wide hull means turning takes a deliberate arc, not a quick flick.
Honest drawbacks
Weight is the honest truth. At 149 pounds with seat and drive, this is a trailer or truck-bed boat, not a car-topper. Solo loading is a serious workout, and launching anywhere without a ramp is a chore. It is also a big investment, priced at the top of the market. And like all wide boats, it is slow compared to narrower pedal kayaks.
To haul your kayak, we recommend Malone kayak trailers. See them here.
Jackson Big Rig FD specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 13 ft 3 in |
| Width | 40 in |
| Weight | 149 lb (with seat and drive) |
| Total capacity | 550 lb |
| Drive type | Pedal: Flex Drive Mark IV |
| Style | Sit-on-top |
| Material | Rotomolded polyethylene |
| Seat | Comfort Seat 5.0 with Hi-Lo adjustment |
Frequently asked questions
Jackson Big Rig FD Fishing Kayak FAQ
How heavy is the Big Rig FD?
It is 130 pounds for the hull, 136 with the seat, and 149 fully rigged with the drive. Plan on a trailer or truck bed.
Is it stable enough to stand in?
Absolutely. It is Jackson’s most stable solo fishing kayak, and standing is comfortable for anglers of all sizes.
Does the drive have reverse?
Yes. The Flex Drive Mark IV offers forward and reverse pedal propulsion.
Can I add a motor?
Yes. The stern four-hole bolt pattern accepts Power-Pole and Torqeedo motors, and the hull is molded Raymarine-ready.
Where to Buy
If the Jackson Big Rig FD Fishing Kayak sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:
For the latest colors, specs, and warranty details, see the official Jackson website for the Jackson Big Rig FD.
Affiliate disclosure: KayakDIY may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this article, at no additional cost to the reader. Product availability, pricing, and promo codes can change; verify them before purchasing. Also check out our reviews of the Jackson Coosa FD Fishing Kayak, Jackson Knarr FD Fishing Kayak, and Jackson Bite Angler Fishing Kayak.
