Sparta, TN – Jackson Kayak has teamed with one of the most recognizable kayak anglers in North America to develop "the ultimate paddlers kayak" for offshore and big lake kayak anglers.

Pioneering kayak fisherman Jim Sammons, the gregarious host of two popular syndicated kayak fishing TV shows paired with Jackson Kayak design team leader Tony Lee to develop the all-new Kraken.

Sammons, who has been using and endorsing Jackson Kayak boats for the past 18 months, said the Kraken is his signature dream boat; a sit-on-top designed for performance and outfitted with all the accessories he needs to carry him and his gear for miles an miles of fishing enjoyment.

"Our core mandate was to build a great paddling boat for fishing, instead of a fishing boat we can paddle," said Jackson Kayak design team lead Tony Lee. "The end result reflects all our design experiences pulled together into one very awesome paddling kayak."

At 15'3" the Kraken is designed for speed, comfort, and perfect trim to handle surf, swells, rough currents and beach landings with equal aplomb on the way out in search of fish, as well as on the home laden with the catch. "Tony did an awesome job coming up with the perfect balance of speed and stablitly," Sammons said.

Unique to the marketplace, the Kraken handles live bait challenges with ease thanks to an innovative, drill-free solution combining a bait tank pump scupper with an included customizable JKrate. Sammons also think kayak anglers will enjoy the Kraken's seven separate areas of gear tracking for rigging flexibility.

Named for the legendary many-tentacled Norse sea creature that fishermen often took the risk of trying to fish above since the catch was so plentiful in its clutches, the Kraken aims to be the go-to vessel of choice to help kayak angling enthusiasts land trophy catches. Key features of this monstrously equipped ready-to-fish kayak include the following:

• A new and improved Elite seat with fore/aft adjustable trim to compensate for large load swings;
• All new, more comfortable foot pegs;
• New hinged center hatch for easier hull storage access
• 4 behind-the-seat rod holders: 2 RAM Rocket Launchers, 2 Flush Mount;
• Neoprene sealed dual-level front hatch;
• Bait tank pump scupper
• Transducer scupper for fish finders.
• Rotomolded of linear plastic, the Kraken weighs 75 pounds and has a capacity of a whopping 550 pounds. MSRP is $1799; $1999 with rudder.

The Kraken will debut to sporting goods buyers at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City Aug. 4 – 9. In addition, four new sportsman specific boats will also be unveiled at the trade show including the debut of Jackson Kayak's first waterfowl specific kayak fishing/hunting boat in conjunction with premier camouflage maker, Realtree, as well as updates to three, more traditional, boat designs for anglers who love to ply rivers and small lakes.

About Jackson Kayak. Jackson Kayak was founded in 2003 by Eric Jackson and Tony Lunt. Currently located in Sparta, Tenn., near the Caney Fork River, Jackson Kayak designs, builds, and manufactures leading whitewater, fishing and exploration paddlesports products. With the moto "Build it like it's your own", all of their products are Made in the USA in growing support of the local Tennessee economy. Market leaders in both the whitewater and kayak fishing, kayak manufacturing and strong in the exploration sector, Jackson Kayak continues to introduce new product lines each year; this year including a new SUP line are amongst 8 new products for 2013. Jackson Kayak's success is largely due to delivering high quality products through paddlesports specialty shops globally; all supported by regional, national and international team members who are engaged to promote the paddling lifestyle. For complete information about the company's products and lifestyle, visit the Jackson Kayak website.