Paddle Kayaks · Fishing
Fly fishing from a kayak has one enemy: snags. Every bungee, cleat, and strap is a fly line magnet waiting to ruin your cast.
Fly fishing from a kayak has one enemy: snags. Every bungee, cleat, and strap is a fly line magnet waiting to ruin your cast. The Jackson Mayfly was designed by people who clearly understood that problem. It’s a 12 foot 8 inch paddle kayak with a wide open, snag-free deck built specifically for fly anglers who want to stand and cast.
If you want to skip ahead and see what it costs, check the current price here.
Who the Mayfly is for
If you throw flies, this boat was made for you. The whole deck layout revolves around keeping your line clear and your feet planted. That said, conventional tackle anglers shouldn’t scroll past. The huge open deck, big capacity, and comfortable seat make it a fine all-around fishing platform too. It’s best suited to lakes, ponds, slow rivers, and flats where you can pole or paddle into position and then stand up to work a shoreline.
Stability: a stand-up casting deck
At 35 inches wide and 12 feet 8 inches long, the Mayfly is a barge in the best sense. The standing pad gives you a cushioned, quiet spot to plant your feet, and the hull stays put while you double haul. Jackson’s hull has enough secondary stability that shifting your weight during a cast doesn’t start a wobble. It’s not a boat you’ll want to take through fast rapids, but for the still and slow water where fly fishing happens, the stability is exactly what you want.
Comfort and the seat
The Mayfly runs Jackson’s Hi-Lo trimmable seating with the Comfort Seat 5.0. You can raise or lower the seat, and slide it fore and aft on its track to trim the boat. The improved height and the ergonomic knee bend make a real difference on all-day floats. The removable lumbar support even doubles as a camp pillow if you’re doing an overnight trip, which is the kind of detail that tells you anglers designed this thing.
Storage and rigging for fly gear
This is where the Mayfly earns its name. The one-piece foot brace system is snag-free and has a line anchor to secure your fly line while you paddle between spots. An integrated fly patch keeps your flies within reach. Molded-in fly rod storage with reel pockets lets you stow rods forward or backward, and rod butt props help with line tangles. A bow hatch storage bin swallows fly vests, hip packs, and wading gear for easy access. The roll-top seat bag keeps dry items dry behind you. Out back, the large stern well is sized for an Orion 25 cooler. Aluminum gear tracks let you mount accessories or a casting brace, and there’s a transducer scupper if you want to add a fish finder.
Paddle performance
The Mayfly paddles like a big, stable fishing kayak. It’s not fast, and at 89 pounds it’s not light, but it tracks straight and carries speed decently for its width. The one-piece foot brace gives you solid purchase when you need to dig in against wind. In tight creeks, the 12 foot 8 inch length takes some planning to turn. Think of it as a casting platform that paddles well enough to get you there, not a touring boat.
Honest drawbacks
Weight is the big one. At 89 pounds before you add gear, this is a cartop workout and a two-person carry for most people. A trailer or bed extender makes life much easier. The length that gives you such a great standing deck also makes it clumsy in tight, twisty creeks. And while the fly-specific features are excellent, you’re paying a premium for them, so spin casters on a budget might get more boat for their money elsewhere in the Jackson lineup.
Jackson Mayfly specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 12′ 8″ |
| Width | 35″ |
| Weight | 89 lbs (hull) |
| Capacity | 450 lbs |
| Drive type | Paddle |
Jackson Mayfly Fishing Kayak FAQ
Is the Mayfly only good for fly fishing?
No. It was designed for fly anglers, but the open deck, high capacity, and comfortable seat work great for conventional bass and inshore fishing too.
Can you stand and cast in the Mayfly?
Absolutely. The standing pad, 35 inch beam, and snag-free deck were built for exactly that.
How much weight can the Mayfly carry?
450 pounds, so there’s room for a bigger angler plus a cooler, tackle, and a fish finder.
Is the Mayfly good in rivers?
It’s rated for flatwater and river paddling. It handles slow to moderate rivers fine, but it’s not a whitewater boat.
- Jackson Mayfly fishing kayak on a calm lake at sunrise
- Fly angler standing and casting from a Jackson Mayfly
- Jackson Mayfly deck showing the snag-free standing area and fly rod storage
Where to Buy
If the Jackson Mayfly 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 Mayfly.
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, Jackson Big Rig FD Fishing Kayak, Jackson Bite Angler Fishing Kayak, and Jackson Bite FD Fishing Kayak.
