Recently, I decided to try a new seating configuration on my Jackson Kayak Big Rig. The Elite Seat on the Big Rig is quite comfortable but I wanted to go with a different option. I had seen several people using the 25 quart Orion Cooler as a seating option on their stand up paddle board or SUP for short. Why couldn’t this same set-up work on the Big Rig?

The premise for using the 25 quart Orion Cooler as a seat on a fishing kayak was to gain a higher position to view the water and cast from. Upon trying this set-up, it was quickly confirmed that it worked just as well as I had hoped. The Big Rig from Jackson Kayak is a supremely stable kayak in both the seated and standing positions. I did however wonder just how much the stability would be affected by the higher center of gravity. Much to my delight, the higher seating afforded by the Orion Cooler only minimally affected the perceived and actual stability of the Big Rig.

After posting a few photos on Facebook after the maiden voyage, I got a few questions about the performance of the Big Rig and Orion Cooler pairing. Someone asked about sight fishing. In most of the water I fish on a regular basis, sight fishing is not an option. However, I used this set-up on a clear water river and was able to see fish far more easily than ever before. Using the Orion Cooler as a seat on your fishing kayak would be a sight fisherman’s dream.

I was also asked about comfort, specifically how the lack of a backrest affected me. I honestly didn’t miss the backrest. I think the higher seating position kept my legs in such a different position than the typical high seat position of the Big Rig and less pressure was put on my lower back as a result. Also, standing from this elevated position was so much easier that I found myself standing more often which also provided relief to my lower back.

Yet another question was about whether or not I could stand on top of the cooler to paddle and fish. You can certainly find photos of kayak fishermen standing on their Orion Coolers, paddling and fishing. However, you will not see me try it. I am no little guy and I have never been accused of being athletic. Try if you must but please be sure to wear your life jacket while doing so.

Using the 25 quart Orion Cooler as a seat on a fishing kayak would not be my preferred set-up in all situations. However, when the type of fishing you plan on doing could benefit from the higher vantage point or casting position, it is a great alternative. Make sure you secure the cooler to your kayak with some cam buckle straps. I attached mine to the side carry handles on my Big Rig but will be looking at other options as this interfered with use of the rod troughs on the side of the kayak.

Until next time, tight lines and make sure to always wear your life jacket. Check out the Orion Coolers at either the Nashville or Silver Point locations of Caney Fork Outdoors in Tennessee and tell them Darrell sent you.