Jeff’s First Time Out in His W500 Super Fishing Kayak - Movie
The boat is one you can sit and in an just wonder, “wow, what would happen if I did this” then just fill in the crazy stunt you are about to try. Chances are afterward you would still be dry and still in the W500. When I tried the slide to the rear to pin the tail trick I could actually lift the front end out of the water and still was just fine sitting nose in the air. The feel is awesome and for sure the boat can be paddled by almost anyone with no rear learning curve. This boat will change the kayak world for sure. It’s going to be a blast putting time in this one.
–Jeff
09/17/09
Comfort wise the boat allows you to relax more. The extra width is nice around your legs and feet. The other thing is much more movement can be made inside the boat. At one point I was just trying all different positions backwards and forwards, the boat was stable the whole time. Fishability wise this boat should be an improvement, and the 300 was great as it was.. Casting is still like a deck gun if required. I’ll know this one better as I get into some fish more seriously.
As far as venturing out to sea. In this new boat over the 300 for sure. It’s still a design that can take on water but it’s so stable now that concern is less. As far as a surf launch that is tough in anything where you can’t protect you gear. This boat should handle it as well as my old Grumman canoe did, and we never had issues with it. You pick your day and time so that you are not dealing with big rollers and rough surf.
Frankly as a fishing kayak this should be the gold standard compared to the other boats currently called fishing kayaks.
As with any small boat however bringing big fish to the boat has to be done carefully. A big tarpon, shark, sailfish, or any other major gamefish needs to be handled with care. Both W boats insulate the angler to some degree over sit on tops since you don’t have to worry about a big toothy sharp finned creature in your lap. The stability of the 500 should just add the ability of the angler to safely handle big game.
–Jeff
More: Jeff’s First Fish Caught in His New W500 Super Fishing Kayak
Jeff’s camera mount:
Tags: fishing kayak, fishing kayak review, florida, kayak fishing standing, kayak stabiliy, movie, speed, standup fishing kayak, W500
September 16th, 2009 at
Jeff’s a big guy, and it looks like he’s not going back to his W300
September 16th, 2009 at
Great video Jeff. What kind of camera and set up are you using? The W500 is sure great for us bigger fishermen. I hope to take mine out tomorrow on some bigger water, Hopefully I will have some photos.
September 16th, 2009 at
The camera is an Olympus Stylus 1030SW, it is one of the best kayaking and fishing cameras ever made. Metal cased it can survive a 5 foot drop onto concrete and be used to around 30′ under water. Right now they sell for about 300 dollars or so. It’s a 10.1MP unit and I use a 2 GB M+ card in it. The mount is just one of the RAM rod holders with my Gorilla Pod mini tripod wraped around it. I shoot thousands of photos every year and the Olympus cameras have done very well for me. This one is small enough to fit into a shirt pocket. I use it with a neck lanyard to avoid tragic loss problems. On the mount the lanyard acts as backup. What really helps the movies here is Yoav’s skill at taking all the stuff I send him and creating a piece that tells the story properly and clearly. When you do take pictures shoot lots of them especially of that big fish as you catch it. The more shots the better. When I was still using slide film I would come home from a week on the road with 15 to 20 rolls of 36 pictures each. Out of that only a small percentage could be used. Digital is a wonderful thing since it allows you to keep taking shots then be able to right away take a look at them to see if they are what is wanted. Take advantage of that.
September 17th, 2009 at
Outstanding Jeff!!!
And like you, I was totally amazed at just how More Stable it was from the W300, just simply amazing.
In fact, I may be selling both my W300’s, one with the trolling motor and the one bare bones camo colored one.
I really haven’t used them since I got My First Green W500.
Now that I also own a Yellow W500, there is no turning back.
Again, I Have to Thank the Wave Walk Company, (Yoav) for this
New and Improved W500, Outstanding Job Team, Take a Bow, you deserve it!!
Happy Paddling and Tight Lines All!!!
Rox
September 17th, 2009 at
Congrats on finally getting your 500, Jeff. What took you so long? I love mine - with the 6 ft long cockpit, I can even take a nap when the fishing slows down. Guess your feet would hang over the front.