Wavewalk Kayaks

There’s a new article available on the exciting, complex, confusing, and often daunting subject of rigging your fishing kayak.

The article is called Rigging Your Fishing Kayak: Some Basic Practical Advice

The main message it conveys is that there’s no need to hurry and start outfitting your W kayak for fishing as soon as you take it out of the box in which it came, and it’s advisable to use it at least several times as is before you decide if and what type of rigging you’d like to add to it.

The article discusses typical rigging questions like rod holders, paddle holders, rudder, seat, outriggers, motor, anchor, milk crate etc.

We recommend that prospecting clients as well as new owners of W fishing kayaks read it.

Back in 2006, Gary Rankel was one of the first to write a review of his rigged W fishing kayak.

Now Gary upgraded to a 2009 W500 GF4 model:

Gary plans to keep his 2006 W kayak for guests.

-”Had a few hours without rain this a.m. so snapped a few more pictures which pretty much cover my rigging and techniques, and show how simple and economical it can be to rig the W500:”

“Noodles along the W rim serve (1) as extra flotation, (2) as head, arm and foot rests, (3) as a fish ruler, and (4) as soundproof cushions for my radio, as well as for rods and paddle which are repeatedly picked up and laid down.  Regular noodles don’t fit the W500 rim very well so I use the “monster” model (4-inch diameter with a 1 1/4 - inch hole, and a smooth, not rippled, outer surface).”

“A steel reinforced outdoor mat with bungee cords serves as a cheap and easy way to minimize scratching the hulls when moving the W from Point A to Point B.”

“Large collapsible fish cooler bag packed with flexible ice packets tucks neatly into the hull.”

“Anchor set-up with rope attached to a large clip which, in turn, clips onto the anchor or heavy duty plastic grabber (for clamping onto mangroves, oyster bars, etc.).  It can also clip onto the rope that comes with the “anchor pin” or “stick-it pin” (not shown, but a 6-foot rod pushed into a soft bottom to hold the W in place).”

And this is a nice redfish that Gary caught in August:

Read more about Gary’s kayak fishing trip

Noel put his design engineering skills to action, and came up with this perfect motorized W500 fishing kayak:

-”Problem solved with the trolling motor steering.  I rotated the handle 90 degrees outward, turned around in my seat, so now the trolling motor is in the back.  With this setup, you can turn at will, see the (cellphone) pics & video.”

-”My son Rainier also took it out for a spin and he’s very comfortable with it too.”

-”Sorry about the video quality, will have to do better…

Also getting more used to the weight/balance of the boat; standing is almost natural now and the boat does not feel tippy, unless I take my son in it with the trolling motor mounted.  It then becomes a little top heavy.  1 person is best with the motor/battery mounted.”

-”The motor mount consists of a 2 ft long treated wood, 1×6 base & a 2×4 upright mounted with stiffening brackets from Lowes.  Used 4x 1/4″-20 bolts x 3″ long with fender/spring washers/nut.  Drilled 4x 3/8″ holes in the hull to allow for flex, then bolted from inside using another piece of 4″ wide 1×6, thus sandwiching the thickness of the HDPE hull between the pieces of 2×4.  This, I hope, will prevent the holes in the hull from tearing out.  I’ve run aground twice so far at the bank at v. low speed and it held without any problems or getting loose.”

-”Check out the anchor mount quick release set up, I don’t fish shallow water so this comes in handy.  I don’t usually let the anchor hang as shown in one of the pictures, as it creates additional drag; I just pull it into the boat; it’s a 3.5 lb folding anchor.”

-”For the paddle  holder, I took closet hanger wire and bent it to fit, it works great; simple solution.

Noel”




John Brown, from Alabama, got his W300 fishing kayak in March.

Since then he’s rigged it to perfection:
-”It’s a great boat, and I love it. I got what I call the wavewalk-tan on my knees from paddling it so often… I do a lot of stand up paddling and poling. It works for me.” Says John.

Front view of John’s fully rigged W300 fishing kayak.
-”I just purchased a Hummingbird fish finder, but haven’t put it on yet.”

John paddling his kayak standing - scouting for fish.

John’s variation on the front storage solution.
The tube rod holders are RAM-301 (top) and RAM-119 (bottom) .

John’s anchor trolley system - a useful device for certain types of shallow water kayak fishing.

Close up on John’s W300 cockpit. Note the anchor attached to the anchor trolley, and how well the space is organized.

John’s version of paddle holders made from foam noodles. It’s as silent as it gets.

The classic milk crate used for attaching extra rod holders, and for more storage.

Wavewalk is offering a line of gear and accessories for rigging your fishing kayak.

The line includes paddles, paddle holders, anchors, stake out pole, deck rigging, flotation modules, deck mount rod holders, flush mount rod holders, kayak carry handles, and our Wavewalk hat.

We offer these products as a service to customers who bought a W-kayak from us, and are looking to either extend their basic order, or get spare parts after the initial purchase.

Here’s a new message from Wayne:

-”I had a good day today, caught 15 bass but no lunkers. I am sending you some more pics:

This is how I mounted the oar locks.

One is of the window weight anchor, lure used to catch bass , and the kind of fish attractant I like called Mega Strike that I have to buy off the web.

The blue tool holder is made from a 5 Gal bucket tool bag,  I cut it in half and mounted it with a strip of 1 in x 1/8 aluminum. Works great for me.

-Wayne”

Brandon from Cape Cod made this ingenious instant release anchor system for his W kayak.

He writes:

-”Here are some pics of an anchor system that worked really well for me last season. The key is to be able to release the Wavewalk kayak from the anchor line in an instant to chase and fight a big fish.

The Genius Carabiner opens at an angle so only one hand is needed. The float allows the angler to find the anchor system after the fight and start fishing again from that productive spot.
Commercial fisherman use a similar (yet much beefier) system to hook, fight and land giant bluefin tuna here on Cape Cod.”

Read more about Brandon’s Fishing Kayak