Paddle Kayaks · Fishing
Some kayaks try to be one thing. The Jackson YuPIK tries to be your thing, whatever that is.
Some kayaks try to be one thing. The Jackson YuPIK tries to be your thing, whatever that is. It’s a 12 foot 2 inch paddle kayak with a clean, open deck and bow-to-stern gear tracks, built for anglers who rig their boat their way. Jackson named it for the Alaskan peoples who coined the word “kayak,” and the versatility angle is real.
If you want to skip ahead and see what it costs, check the current price here.
Who the YuPIK is for
This is the tinkerer’s kayak. If you love rigging, re-rigging, and dialing in your setup for each trip, the YuPIK gives you a blank canvas with unlimited mounting points. It’s a strong fit for lake and pond anglers, inshore saltwater fishermen, and kayak campers who need room for multi-day gear. If you want a boat that comes perfectly outfitted from the factory and never needs a wrench, look elsewhere.
Stability: stand up with confidence
The YuPIK has an open, stable deck that’s as standable as anything in the Jackson lineup. At 35 inches wide with a full standing pad, it feels planted underfoot and stays quiet, which matters when you’re sight fishing skinny water. Tracking is a genuine strong point. It holds a line well for a wide boat, so long paddles across the lake don’t turn into a zigzag workout.
Comfort and the seat
Jackson’s EZ Hi-Lo seating system is the headline here. You can raise or lower the seat with one hand, on the water, without standing up. Want to sit low and paddle into the wind? Drop it. Want to sit high to spot cruising redfish? Pop it up. Newer models also run the Comfort Seat 5.0 with an ergonomic bend in the back and a robust frame. The seat slides fore and aft on its track for trim, and there’s a stand-assist strap to help you get up. The ergo seat cover is quiet and replaceable, a small detail you’ll appreciate after a season of use.
Storage and rigging
Nobody does rigging options like this. Gear tracks run bow to stern, plus a strap-down gear track that secures loads a full 360 degrees. Four sidewall slots hold 3640 Plano tackle boxes right at your fingertips, and seat-side tackle stagers keep hooks from rolling loose in the boat. The scooped bow swallows tents, dry bags, and decoy bags for camping trips. Up front, a scupper hole sized for larger transducers makes fish finder installs easy. The stern carries a four-hole bolt pattern for a PowerPole, Torqeedo, or Newport motor. A large tankwell fits a 25 liter cooler, and it ships with a YakAttack Omega rod holder, a long load flag, and a stand-assist strap. If you want even more, there’s an optional Hawg Trough accessory tray.
Paddle performance
For a 35 inch wide boat, the YuPIK paddles better than it should. The hull tracks straight and glides fine for its class. It’s not going to win any races, and a 90 pound hull takes some muscle to get moving, but once it’s rolling it carries well. The hypalon paddle keeper stows your paddle blades out of the water when you’re fishing, which is a nice touch for drift fishing.
Honest drawbacks
The weight is the elephant in the room. Ninety pounds for the hull, 99 with the seat, and that’s before gear. Cartopping solo is doable but not fun. A trailer or a good cart changes the whole experience. The wide, stable hull that makes standing easy also makes it slower than narrower boats, so if you regularly cover big water, you’ll work harder. And all that rigging freedom comes at a price. By the time you add the accessories you want, the total climbs. Also, the open deck that makes it so versatile also means your gear is exposed to spray and rain, so dry bags are your friend.
Jackson YuPIK specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 12′ 2″ |
| Width | 35″ |
| Weight | 90 lbs (hull) |
| Capacity | 425 lbs |
| Drive type | Paddle |
Jackson YuPIK Fishing Kayak FAQ
Can you stand in the Jackson YuPIK?
Yes. The open deck, 35 inch width, and full standing pad make it one of the most standable boats Jackson makes.
What makes the YuPIK different from other Jackson kayaks?
The bow-to-stern track system and strap-down gear track give it more rigging flexibility than almost anything else on the market.
Can you put a motor on the YuPIK?
Yes. The stern has a four-hole bolt pattern that accepts a PowerPole, Torqeedo, or Newport motor.
Is the YuPIK good for kayak camping?
It’s one of the better choices. The scooped bow, huge deck space, and 425 pound capacity handle multi-day loads well.
- Jackson YuPIK fishing kayak rigged with accessories on a lake
- Angler standing and casting from the open deck of a Jackson YuPIK
- Close-up of the Jackson YuPIK bow-to-stern gear track system
Where to Buy
If the Jackson YuPIK 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 YuPIK.
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, and Jackson Knarr FD Fishing Kayak.
