WAVEWALK KAYAKS

Today I took my first maiden voyage on the Connecticut River up in Enfield in my Wave Walk W500 yak.

Skies were bright and sunny, water temps were 77 to 79 degrees, and of course, the wind was not to bad, in the beginning.

Paddle up river and started scouping things out.

I Heard a bunch of noise crashing threw the woods up by the cement wall, and low and behold, 8 coyotes were in there, one stopped to look me over.
It was creepy, but as I reached for the camera, the yote, perked it’s head up and ran back up under cover!!

Armed with only 2 poles, one rigged with a dinger, the other drop shot. (D/S)

Bait fish were everywhere, and I knew what I was throwing, Drop Shot, with a 2.5″ plastic minnow, which was matching the bait perfectly.
I paddle and found some really nice weeds with breaks in them, but open to deeper water.
I started to work the inside weed line, dropping the D/S down in the holes, which was kind of risking it with 8lb Floro P-line, time would tell.
I spot something orange out of the corner of my eye……….. Koi…………….tooooooooooooooo funny!

I started getting small smallies in the holes, the another, and another, all small nothing over 1 lb, so I put them back as fast as I could.
Untangle the drop shot……………………………….and cast back in.
Which is a real pain when there are smallies everywhere getting out the tangle mess each time.

Cast to the outside edge of the weed line, working it back slowly.

All of a sudden, I could see fish, but they were parting like the red sea, bait fish are zooming under my yak swimming away from something.
I’m figuring its a wolf pack of smallies moving in, and things are going to get real busy.

All while I’m working the D/S back to me, I start watching it in the 4′ of water I’m anchored up in.

As I’m watching the minnow about 4 feet from the yak, all I see is mouth, then ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ out to deeper water, turn baby turn……………………………
Now she charging straight at me…………………..reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel man reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel…………………………….
Up She comes and it’s a BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ turn her back and under the yak she goes, out she pops on the other side and I’m c****ing my pants, up she jumps, I got the net in my hand , she charges the yak, crashes into the hull and Boink, In My NET!!!!
I can’t make this chit up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then I remember to breath, hands are shaking so bad, I pear over the side and there she sits in my Net.
As I lift her up, the hook had fallen out.

This has surpassed my D/S PB Large Mouth Bass, which was 3.8lbs from West Hill.
This Puppy is 21 3/4″ long and 5.11 lbs. Man if she was only fat, I could only imagine what she would have weighed.

I spent the rest of the day, anchored up right in this sweet spot.

Total tally for the day, 22 Small Mouth Bass, all on the Drop Shot.

Almost feels silly to post what the rest of the Smallies looked like.

The paddle back was not as easy as my ride out, remember in the beginning of my post, I said the wind wasn’t to bad till…………………………

I started back, all heck broke loose, winds kicked up, I bet well over 20 miles per hour, swells, and even with the current, I was going backwards at times.

Oh Man, and what is ahead of me, but swells up to 2′!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crossing the rapids, was exciting and a little scary at times, but I had my PFD on so I wasn’t to worried.

The Wave Walk W500 handle it like a Champ, I was high and dry, but very very tired.

Grateful for such a wonderful day, and a New PB Smallie on the Drop Shot.

LIFE IS GOOD!

Tight lines and Paddle Safe All.
Rox

In my never ending quest to make my W kayak as perfect as possible, I cut to fit some plastic trellis material I got at Lowe’s to create shelving across both front and rear hulls and attached them with loop bungee cords, thereby providing surfaces for attaching a host of goodies. The front shelf contains my compass, anchor and glued on ruler (for easily measuring and taking pictures of fish prior to release, which comes in really handy in tournament fishing). I’ve also shown a life vest and a mesh carrying bag (which could double as a cooler bag) tied down on the front shelf. My fillet board will fit here also.

On the rear shelf, I installed a 3-rod holder assembly which allows me to carry 5 rods placed within easy reach behind me. The rod holder is secured with the loop bungee cords and, if you look closely, includes a sliding mechanism which can lock the rods in place so they won’t slip out in rough weather.

The sky is the limit as to what can be fastened down onto these lightweight shelves which never need be removed. Their only downside is restricting access into the W from the rear which, while handy, is no biggee to me. I don’t think increased wind resistance will be a problem.

Gary

Here are a few shots from yesterday at the Highbridge area down in Flagler country FL about 43 miles from the house. The waters are where last year we caught hundreds of snook but today there were none. The season has been closed this year so far because of the severe cold this past winter killing so many fish.
Jeff

Photography: Nina Green

When we talk about Super Mobility, or Extreme Mobility, many people find it hard to imagine what it could mean.
When we say ‘Launch anywhere, go anywhere and beach anywhere’, some think it’s just another marketing phrase.
But it’s not -
This movie shows how kayak anglers and touring kayakers can go above and beyond obstacles in shallow water paddling and fishing.
Once again, our W500 kayak keeps expanding kayaking and fishing in every dimension. When compared to other types of kayaks, it is not just the world’s best kayak for touring and fishing – it’s in a league of its own.

Bob lives in a small coastal town in Maine that’s famous for its fishing, as well as for other reasons. It was easy for Bob to drive down the Massachusetts to test the W500, and it was easy for him to decide to order one on the spot.

Here is what Bob wrote us after a few weeks of using his new w500:

I have been out with my wavewalk 500 almost every day, ocean, lakes and rivers, having a blast and learning its operating characteristics. I’d like to recommend this kayak to those who express more than a passing interest.
I have been wanting to send you pictures, but I find it a bit challenging catching fish on the fly, out in the ocean, and taking pictures at the same time! Guess I need to just get better at this! Yesterday I caught 1/2 dozen stripers, some up to 30″, all on the fly, and , of course, all standing up in the wavewalk. Doesn’t get any better!
Will practice on my picture taking.

And here’s an email Bob wrote to the editor of his favorite fly fishing publication named the Angler’s Report, shortly after he bought his W500:
“Just read your recent report on kayaks…thought you may want to check out Wavewalk kayaks. Just purchased one yesterday after researching and trying out both the [folding outriggers "stand-up" SOT kayak] and the [tunnel hull, 'hybrid' "stand-up" canoe-kayak] fishing kayaks. Their web site is entertaining, especially all the videos. In my mind, this is truly the only standup kayak out there. You actually walk onto to it, sit down and paddle away. I was standing and jumping within 2 minutes (trying to simulate one of the videos I saw) much to the concern of Yoav, the designer and owner of Wavewalk, as he watched from the shore. Later, we even went out tandem in the kayak. No other kayak has this kind of stability. A fly fisherman’s dream. Period.

Anyway, I am not trying to “sell” you the kayak… just thought you may find it worthwhile to check it out.

Bob Smaldone”

The editor of the Angler’s Report published Bob’s letter. Thanks Bob!

Mike is a retired sailboat broker who doesn’t believe in ordering a boat without first seeing it. So he drove all the way from upstate NY to Sharon, Massachusetts, where he saw the W500 kayak, tested it, and took one back home with him.
This is what he has to say now, several weeks later:

I live in Rochester NY and I have been fishing from kayaks for the past 15 years.
I’m a retired sailboat broker with over 40 years sailing experience, and I hold a USCG maritime license.
My last fishing kayak was a [12' long, popular sit-in brand].
Being a 220 # male with some physical limitations, including arthritis, knee, mobility and lumbar issues, my sit-in fishing kayak was getting very difficult to use. I was thinking I was at the end of my kayak days due to my physical limitations, and this is why I’ve become interested in W kayaks, since I thought this craft will overcome them.

Prior to the W kayak, the [brand name sit-in kayak] was as good a fishing kayak as was available. The W has totally raised the bar. Launching / landing it is actually enjoyable, and standing up is remarkable.

My maiden voyage:
My new W500 and I went on our maiden voyage, and I had a ball. I haven’t stood up in it then, as I took my time getting used to how it handles. I landed / launched it about 10 times and did some basic turning. A number of kayakers were intrigued at the new craft. It transports solid as a rock now that I figured out my system.
I was very pleased with the W and my progress on that initial trip with it. With my knee and back limitations, I knew I’d be advancing slowly.
I’m very grateful for being able to get out on the water again at all. Being able to launch and land easily is more than worth the cost of the W. I am now thankful that I’ll get many more years on the water.
I think it would make a fabulous yacht tender too.

Next voyages:
Well I’ve had my W out about 5-6 times so far, and I want you to know how happy I am with my purchase decision. I was paddling by a major canoe / kayak facility yesterday and noticed I had drawn some attention by the staff and a few of their clients. I couldn’t resist the urge to stand up and proceed paddling around a bend until I was out of their sight. Awesome.
I’ve been in 2-3 foot chop on a local bay with no problems. I’m not pushing myself, just going along as my confidence and experience builds. I haven’t been able to turn around in the cockpit, as my knee range of motion is too limited. It is wonderful to be able to go ashore at will.

- ‘High-Beaching’ W Kayakers’ Style -

I want to thank you again, and I’m sure your design will give me another 10 years on the water.

Please use me as a local resource for demo purposes, as I would be glad to let prospects touch and see my W and possibly try it out if my timing works. I would be very glad to show my W to anyone in my area that has some interest.

I think you have one hell of a nice product.

Mike Ratigan, Rochester NY

NEW: Read how Mike rigged his W kayak for fishing >>

NEW: Mike becomes Wavewalk’s first dealer. Read more about it >>

We just got back from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for Jeanne’s family reunion. We brought all of the W kayaks along. Her family and friends had a blast and were impressed with them. It was fun for us sharing are love for the W kayaks with her family.

John

The delivery process of my w500 kayak was seamless …I was pleased by how quickly it arrived.

I’m having a blast so far. My back tolerates and actually benefits from using this kayak.
I have significant back challenges (that’s what actually got me to your site via Google) and I’m just thrilled.
I feel good about what you’ve got there.
I have massive back issues that I’ve been working on since a surgery gone wrong about 10 years ago. The ww fishing kayak keeps my core engaged and my posture correct…amazingly comfortable. It’s a real pleasure.

I’ve included a shot of what I caught this weekend…my first bowfin, caught Sunday. Definitely was looking for bass and this thing took a spinnerbait. Fights extremely hard, before it got hung in some weeds…I really liked how I can reel the kayak in to the fish in those situations, I hate breaking lines on hooked fish (yak fishing all new to me).

W. Taylor

Now the Wavewalk fishing kayak has its own song, written and performed by the ‘Unknown Traveler’, a singer/songwriter, health & fitness, outdoors, fishing & hunting enthusiast from Ohio:
Like many other outdoorsmen, Traveler really loves his ‘W’, and if you’re ever in North Eastern Ohio contact him for a close up look, and maybe even a demonstration, of his treasured kayak!

He always likes to meet new people and talk “Wavewalk” …
His email: UnknownTraveler@yahoogroups.com

Walking on the Wave – Lyrics:

And the fish below, know
When the north wind blows
They’d better beware

I got the wind in my hair
And there’s fish everywhere

I’m walkin’ on the wave

I see a big one in the weed
He’s a monster guaranteed
As I paddle out of view

With a Clouser on the line
This bruiser could be mine
As I cast into the blue

The presentation couldn’t be
A better minnows plea
As that muskie Hit like a storm

Now his picture is on my wall
In memory of it all
And he lives to fight again

I got the wind in my hair
And there’s fish everywhere

Oh I’m walkin’ on the wave

Oh yes I’m walkin’ on the wave

—Copyright (c) G.D.P. 2010—

Like many outdoorsmen, Traveler really loves his fishing and hunting gear, and he also wrote a song about his Henry – an accurate replica of the legendary Henry Big Boy .44 rifle.

Here’s a movie sent to us by Bruce Young, from Florida:

Bruce Young is the inventor and manufacturer of the Laser Lure, and he loves fishing from his old W300.
Says Bruce: -”What I love about this kayak is that it’s the perfect fishing machine. It’s totally stable, and there’s so much room in it to carry my fishing gear on board!”