Wavewalk Kayaks

Donavan Campbell is a stream kayak angler from North Carolina, who got his W300 in the summer of last year. He took his time to write a review, and it was worth waiting for…:

I wanted to share my review of the W300 with you…

-”Look at the teeth on that Muskie!”

I use the W300 on the New River in the NC mountains (Sparta, Jefferson) for smallmouth bass fishing.

I was very impressed with the stability of the W300 for river fishing and it’s tracking.
Water depths range from 10′ to 6″ on the New River and the W can handle either along with occasional sharp rocks.

I keep the rigging light for easy maneuverability out of the water and plan to add an additional rod holder and the “wheels” I see from other owners. I fish with other standard kayaks and am glad I purchased the W, I strongly recommend the W to everyone that asks, thanks.

Donavan Campbell
Statesville, NC

Added some fish pictures, first calendared fishing trip for 2010 is March 26th & 27th!

PS- If anyone in western NC wants to check out a wavewalk I would be happy to help them…

Doug had already contributed a short review of his W300 fishing kayak:

-”Just came in from a couple hours in the inlet after work — 1 14# bass.  Got a 30 and a 16 last Sat night.  I don’t fish from it too often; I might throw a swimmer out on my way to and fro.  For the season so far I have around 75 bass over 10#/30″.  I’m running second place in the season long New York Surf Fishing contest.  I’m totally satisfied with the Wavewalk.  If I wreck this one somehow I’ll order another within a week.  It gets me access to good fishing areas and it gets me away from the crowds.  Only ‘problem’ is I put a couple pretty deep gouges on the bottom while fishing in mussel beds and around rock jetties –
Doug”

Now Doug sent us some pictures of a special kayak trolley he got for it:

Says Doug:

-”Here are some photos of a cart special made by paddlecart.com   I use it all the time. Works over rough terrain, rocks, down embankments,etc”

-”Attached is the drawing I sent to Paddlecart in case users inquire” :

Fishing for bass has many fans, including in the W kayak fishing community.

Here is a list of some prolific W bass kayak anglers:

Rox Davis, Kayak Bass Fishing Superstar, from Connecticut

Norm Craig, from Rhode Island

John Fabina, from Wisconsin

Jeff Lenkowski, from Massachusetts

Wayne Taylor, from Florida

Jamie Harter, from Wisconsin

John Zoltner, from New York

Doug Hord, from Long Island, NY

Donavan Campbell, from North Carolina

December 2nd Season ending trip for Rainbow Reservoir.

Well the ice has come to Ct, and I am very sad.
Dec 2nd was my last trip, I was hoping to get out one more time, but I’ve been busy, and when I got to my Favorite Smallie waters, they were iced over with 1 1/2″ of ice on Monday December 9th, Tuesday was no better.
Time to switch gears, get ready for ice fishing, and chase some trout on the upper Farmington river, which never freezes here in Ct.

All Smallmouths caught on a 1/8oz jig, rigged with a 2″ paddle tail white, with a red dot added to the belly with a red magic marker. (I always carry red and black markers)
I cast out to where the waters run to and around an old dam, letting it drop to the bottom and popping it with long pauses, and waited for that little tic, and only lifting my rod tip to set the hook, if you set it to hard, it resulted in missed fish.

Water temps were 42 degrees, slight winds at 8mph, Air temps were 40 degrees. Current was moving pretty good, they had the lower dam open for the upcoming rains.

I find myself wishing for Spring already……………..

Safe Paddling All And Happy holidays!!
Rox

I took the W500 out to Rainbow res today.
Hit the water at 10:45am and was off by 3pm.
Water temps were 45.6 degrees, air temps were 49.
Slight wind at times, and misty light rains fell on me all day.
(thought the Weather Man said it was supposed to be nice today)
All bass came out of 11′ of water to 19′ of water.

I started with a crank bait that dives around 14′, making sure I had good contact with the bottom.
But after 20 cast, and not even a bump, I put that rod down.
I started throwing a grub on 8lb fluro, on a lite fast action rod, keeping contact with the bottom at all times.
I’d cast out, let the grub drop to the bottom, give it a 10 count and pop it, and let it drop again.
Repeating until i felt a strike, which at this time of year is very light strike, and set the hook, but not to hard, just enough to raise my tip high and then the fight would be on.
I repeated this all day long with great results, the Small Mouth Bass gave me some great fights on the light line.
And as always, I dressed for the weather, PFD worn at all times, layered clothes and my rain gear kept me dry and warm.
I hope to do this until the ice comes, as I do every year
Happy and Safe Paddling all
Rox

Went to Rainbow Reservoir in Windsor Connecticut, to fish with a friend on his boat.
Mike (known as Daddy Pickle) wanted some small mouth Bass.

I figured I cast a few from shore while waiting.
I must have cast 20 times, and on the last cast with the lure just rising out of the water by shore, a Huge Pike rushed and slashed at the dinger.
I almost $#!^ my pants, totally caught me off guard. With this approaching storm, my hopes weren’t too high.
We had slight winds to friggin pain in the >@$& winds, cloudy, water temps were a steady 50.5 degrees
everywhere.

Today, the back of the boat was a good place to be.

Pickle did start us off with the first smallie, but he said it wasn’t picture worthy, I think that smallies buddies heard him, so they wouldn’t play nice with him after that.

My arm and Hands are Killing Me!!
I couldn’t even tell you how many cast Pickle and I made today.
But if the bait wasn’t moving, you weren’t getting Nothing!

Cranking was the key, no pauses, most fish came out of 14′ to 30′,
deep down bumping bottom FUN!
I haven’t used crank baits in a long time, but Pickle has helped
rekindle my first Love…………….Cranking.
He may be sorry he did!

Another thing, when the winds did pick up, the bite stopped,
then when there was a lull in the winds, one of us would hook up!

LIFE IS GOOD!!!!

Rox

Oct 17th Congamond Lake Open Bass Tourney.
Start time 7am to 3pm
Water temps were 50 early am, to 56/57 degrees by 1pm.

We were faced with 15 boats, and had to pick numbers to line up for the start of the tourney.
My partner Mike, told me to pick the number, and I picked #11.
I was bummed to be near the end of the start up pack, but was very happy to Learn that the Numbers started at 10, so that put us in the number 2 spot of the starting line up. 

It was a cold 43 degrees when we launched at 7am.
Thankfully, there were no winds Yet, but that all changed by 9am.
With winds from 9mph to 20mph at times, made boat control a chore, but my partner Mike did a great job battling the winds.

We had a game plan, depending on the water temps, so when we passed through the flats and they were at 50 degrees, we made the decision to head to a point with some wood that went from 2 feet of water that sloped down to 20 feet of water.

Mike was fishing horizontal baits, and I was fishing vertical.
Hoping to establish a pattern quickly.

My choice of lure, Black Texas rigged worms, fishing them weightless.
Which is always a challenge when you add in the Wind Factor.
Keeping contact with the line and bait as best I could, letting it slowly stink in the middle of the downed tree in 14 feet of water, when I get a mushy feel, not a tap or strong bite, just felt a little mushy.
I reeled up the slack, felt weight and set the hook hard.
My partner got the net, and the first Large Mouth Bass was in the boat.

Then it happened, in the FLW rules, you are supposed to not fish within 50 feet of a boater.
After getting the first bass in the live well, I turned back to fish my tree, and a boat had moved in On Top of it and was jigging.
Next thing we see, they land a Bass, then another and another, they pulled 5 Bass off of where I was fishing, Unbelievable.

So we started working our way down the bank towards another downed tree that also went from 1 foot to 14 feet of water.
As we got closer, I heard the boat we left at our first spot start their motor and race over the the next tree we were going to fish.
They just cut us off, and Left us with our Jaws hanging wide open.

I had this strong urge to whip a 40lb braided line with a huge treble hooked bait on it at them…………but that would be un-sportsmen like!
But it felt good to think it.

These are some of the reasons I don’t fish Bass Tournaments, as far as I’m concerned, these two Bass fishermen are cheaters, but I do believe in Karma.

We fished hard the rest of the morning and afternoon, with nothing to show for it.
My partner lost 3 bass and I wasn’t getting anything.
We switched up on lures, cranks, spinnerbaits, jigs, swim baits, drop shot, whacky rigs, nada zip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then with 30 minutes left, we headed back to the point and the tree everyone had beaten the snot out of today.
Back to our original plan, Mike fish a horizontal bait and I fished vertical.

Dropped my Texas rigged Black worm back into the tree, and Bam, fish on.
Now we had 2 bass in the live well.
I cast back up into the tree, and Mike yells fish on, I drop my rod, grab the Net, now we Have three Bass in the well.

Pick up my rod and cast back into the tree and counted it down to the bottom, a little twitch after a 20 count,
Which seems like forever when your on the clock, and I got the mushy feeling again, set the Hook and Bass number 4 came to the net.
5 Minutes to go before we had to be back for the weigh in, we worked the bank back to the opposite tree, but time ran out.

So we headed back to the ramp 2 Bass shy of a limit, and Thankful for the Bass we did get.

The winning Bag went 22.19 pounds, but there were many boats with no Bass at all, I think we came in around 12th.

And the Two Bass Fishermen who cut us off, didn’t end with the winning bag, though their bag went for 17.8 lbs, Karma took them out of the running.

Tight Lines All
Rox

I Went fishing at Congamond Lake, on the Connecticut - Massachusetts border.
Oct 12th, I was pre-fishing, for my up coming Open Bass tourney Sat 17th.
My partner was sick, can you believe that!!! He called out sick for work and Fishing!!
So I went out in my W500.

Got on the water I think it was 10:30 or close to 11am.
Water temps were 56 to 60 degrees.
Water was cloudy, (turn over time has come) with tons of bait fish every where.
Cloudy/partly sunny, with a chill in the air.
Fished 2 feet to 26 feet.

Fished slow and on the bottom.
Weightless Texas rigged plastic worms were the ticket.

Casting it up into the pads, and let it sink slowly, waiting for the line to move, or to feel that tap.
Gave it a twitch after a count to 10, and Bam fish on.
After a short battle I got her in the net.

All of a sudden I hear “Way to Go Rox”
Two fellows I know from my Fishing site had been watching me fish, and I didn’t even know they were coming up behind me in their boat.

They were kind enough to snap a picture for me.
I wish I had gotten the weight, but in all the excitement I forgot, DOH!!!!!!!!!

She was well over 3lbs, maybe even close to 3.5lbs, and her Belly was Full!!!
Great way to start my trip.

Caught a number of 12″, 2-14″ then a solid 2.10lb and a 2.14lb large mouth bass.
Which I weighed, and was even more sure that first Bass had to be way over 3lbs.
Landed tooooooooo many snakes (pickerel) today, had to keep re-tying due to line nicks.

Wind had picked up a little more then the weatherman had said, so in 19′ of water I had to drop anchor to fish some wood down deep.

Hooked a real Nice Bass that wrapped itself up around a branch, near the surface.
Soooooooooooooo I started to paddle to retrieve the Bass keeping my line tight when my yak stopped………………I forgot to pull up my anchor………….resulting in a lost Bass……….. Oh Well!

I did get a limit, so I was happy with that, was off the water at 5pm.
Did not snap any pictures of the smaller Bass, only picture worthy Bass today over 2lbs were taken.
I should have taken a picture of my last snake, it was big long and fat.

Tight Lines and Safe Paddling All.
Rox

Sept 8th Rainbow Res.
Hit the bow at 12pm, off at 5:30pm.
Water levels are up, temps were 70 to 74.3 degrees.
Cranks, chatter, ball jig, dingers-

Cranks got nothing, chatter baits zip, dingers, of course, put the Bass in the boat.

Fishing the flats produced a 3#er and a 2 1/2#er.
Caught on the dinger fished like a jerk bait.

Then while fishing an over hanging tree in 10′ of water with the ball jig and That Bait Pickle, on 8lb test on my custom smallie rod from RayZ!!!
Pitched it up and under the tree and started reeling it in slowly, when all of a sudden, it all comes to a stop……..dang I snagged a
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Holy Cheese On Rice, BIG FISH!!!!!!!!! I can’t turn the fish!!
Drag set as tight as I dare, back down past me she flies!!
I turn her and up she comes besides the yak……………………. It’s a Huge PIKE!!!! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Off she goes again, I’m stuck between two trees, and shes dragging
my yak towards one of them, I yell to James, in his boat anchored
down below me for a Big Net, it has to be at least 38″ long and thicker then my arm, he’s watching me now, I turn her again, and
shes towing my yak, turned me back towards the opposite tree.
Then Up She Comes for a Complete somersault, I watch as she wraps herself up in the line, and snap she was gone.

Lord have mercy, 5 minutes of pure heaven and 5 minutes of pure hell,
all mixed into the same pot!
I knew there where Pike in here, now I have proof, and a witness.

Spent the next few minutes clamming myself, hands shaking some bad,
I couldn’t retie a new ball jig on.

Sept 10th Weathersfield Cove, Weathersfield CT:

Hit the Cove today, got there at 12:30 PM.
WINDY WINDY WINDY, white caps sometimes, and did I tell you,
it was WINDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Water temps were 69+degrees, sunny, partly cloudy.
Fish came to hand in 1′ to 14′ of water.

Bad news, I broke my first rod of the season, my Med Heavy Premier St Croix rod!!!!!!!!!!!! I was drifting and was blown into a tree
that I had just pulled a bass out of, didn’t see it till it was to late.

Had a Huge blow up and was cut off by Mr Pike over by the Police dock.

Best part of the day was near the end of my trip.
I was getting plenty of smaller bass, perch, and a few crappie.
But had no real solid bass in the yak yet.
Till I found the magic tree.

Life is Good.

Rox




Continued from John’s first review of his motorized W500 fishing kayak

-Just caught the second or third biggest bass I’ve ever caught (a little over 3 lbs). For me that’s a big bass! So maybe investing in a fishfinder was a good idea. Unfortunately I didn’t have a camera with me so no one’s going to believe me I also caught it on a beat-up, 1950’s lure called a “Flatfish” that I resurrected from an my old tackle box. The action of the lure is so outstanding that I’m trying to buy more of these obsolete lures.
Also enclosed a few photos showing my new reel style trolling motor crank and fishfinder, my crossed cable TM steering system and a detail shot of the flip-over wheel attachment cable connector (uses existing carry handle screw) and of course, the Flatfish.

John drove all the way from upstate NY to Wavewalk (close to Boston, MA) to get his W500 fishing kayak. Being an experienced engineer, John  took his time to inquire and think about trolling motors, steering systems etc., and came up with one of his own:

I’ve included some pics of my trolling motor adaptation which borrows from other W kayakers, and adds a unique steering method.

After some experimentation I decided to mount the motor at the very back using a 1/4″ aluminum plate, and added a crossbar to the top of a shortened TM shaft.  So far this is Rox’s TM configuration.  I then routed the steering cables thru 1/4″ brake tubes screwed to 2 strips of pine running the length of the seat.

Since I wanted the steering and motor speed control to be on the same handle, I mounted the TM head and a short section of shaft to a large plastic pulley and wrapped the steering cable around it.  By doing so, I can now control the both the steering and speed from the common handle.

I attached a piece of 1/4″ plywood to the top of the 2 pine strips and covered it with some foam and a piece of vinyl material.  Since there is now a hollow space under the seat I was able to run the TM wires and also a rope to raise the motor via a smaller hand cranked pulley.

I also used the flip-over loading wheel concept that one of the clever W bloggers sent in.

I’ve been out twice since the TM has been added and so far its working really well.

John Z

(more…)

I finally took my new W500 to test up in the Michigan’s upper peninsula. Perfect weather awaited me as temps hit mid seventies and sunshine abounded for the three day trip. I logged plenty of fishing and paddling hours on the W500. I thought my original W300 was comfortable and stable, but for a guy my size the W500 is the perfect fit.

As always no yak-back was noticed. Tracking was great and paddling seemed even easier then the W300.
With the longer length it took a little more effort to turn in the river current but was well worth it do to the large amount of space to stretch out in and the added storage. I have not had the W500 out in rough water yet but if it handles similar to the 300 it should do great.
I am convinced that this is another winner. Great job Wavewalk, you have done it again.
I would suggest the W500 for anyone who is larger framed than the average.
The trip was great, however the rock bass moved in to the areas where I was catching walleye in June. I was never able to locate the walleye, however the small bass provided entertainment.

Friday I took a trip to a local lake. I decided to go through a channel that connects two lakes. I have been down the channel before with a regular boat but it would have been difficult to fish with the type of craft I was in. However I did see plenty of fish and I took notes of where the fish were holding in case I ever returned.
The W500 allowed me to sneak up and anchor just upstream from my first target with out being noticed. The first target was a boat dock on a bend in the channel which had a five to seven foot deep hole under it.
I started by fan casting one of my favorite lures a floating minnow. Three fan casts produced nothing. Then I decided to drift a leech into the hole. Bam, a nice largemouth broke the water and put up a tremendous fight in the current. Two more casts, two more fish. I got complacent, after all how many fish could this little hole hold?. My bad, I cast my forth cast and turned to adjust my anchor when a huge bucket mouth jumped and shed my hook into the air. I know what your thinking, yea the biggest fish of the day always gets away! Well it did.

One hour later and over twenty fish later I realized what a honey hole I had discovered, and thanks to the W500 I was able to stay stealthy and present the bait precisely where it had to go. It was obvious that these fish haven’t had a lot of pressure on them, they had no hook marks on their lips.

I proceeded down the channel which only averaged a foot deep, but I anchored before every bend and had success all day. I ran out of my three dozen leeches and called it a day after three exciting hours.
Who would of thought this little channel could hold all those fish and even some quality fish.
Light gear and current made the action fun. These are fish I would have not been able to catch with out the W500. Large mouth, small mouth bass, and pike were all caught and released. I want to be able to repeat this day again next year.

One photo shows some add-ons. Drink holder, rod holder, and paddle holder to hold net in front and easy to grab, this seemed to work out really well.
Thanks again for a great boat,
John


Read previous blog posts by John Fabina:

John’s Tiger-Camo W500

John’s review of his W300 fishing kayak

This is Rox’ answer to a question on bass lures from Petru, a kayak fisherman from Ontario:

Petru,

Here is a couple of pictures of the lures and hooks I use, and have had great success with.

The Yum Dinger, shown in both pictures, range from 6″ to 3″, and the 1/4 oz Jigs are in the top row of the picture.
As you see, I am also a Big Fan of the Chatter Bait.

Petru, Maybe you’re fishing your jigs too fast.

You have to make sure they reach bottom, remember the 1/4oz jig takes a little longer getting to the bottom. Your lure has not reached bottom till you see your line go slack.

Then make short hops, and long pauses, with a twitch here and there.
And always keep contact with bottom, your line and jig.

You can pop it hard, just follow it back to the bottom with your tip, and be ready to set that hook!

Any kind of line movement, could be a strike, when in doubt, set that hook.

Most strikes will happen on the Fall, so always keep a close eye on your line as it sinks to the bottom.

A Bass can grab and spit that bad boy out before you even realize you missed a strike!

The Yum Dinger, can be fished many ways, as a jerk bait, finess, whacky rigged, placed on a ball jig, chatter bait (killer pike bait), or Dead sticking it.

Same as the jig, you must reach bottom, always watching that line for any signs of a strike on the fall, most will happen then.

But when the fish are in a negative mode, let it hit bottom, with long pauses between a pop, pop, pop, reel your slack line, and repeat all the way back to shore or
boat.

You can also add a small finish nail, or small screw to the butt of the dingers.
This will increase the fall rate, but not hurt the action.

Toss the dinger in 3′ of water and count it down till you reach bottom, then in deeper water you’ll have a better idea when it will reach the depth you want to fish.

Hope this helps Petru.
Good Luck and Tight Lines.

Rox



-”I had few great days of fishing in between storms, here in Connecticut.
1:30pm I started my trip on the Farmington River coves in Simsbury.
Water levels are way up, I only had to walk down half of the path to the water, launched the W500 right on the hill, just slid down in and off I went.
I started off with a small white chuckit frog, landed 3 bass right off the bat.”

“Headed down towards the Main arm of the Farmington River, stopped at some trees, picked off a couple more with the small chuckit frog.”

“Then I heard an osprey, and it sounded like it was fighting, I look up, and out of the trees comes a Bald Eagle attacking the Osprey.”

“This Eagle meant business, and was looking to kill this Osprey.
I got a video of it:”

-”I figured after watching this, I didn’t care if another bass came to hand, but the bite turned on.
I started pitching into the holes in the weeds, yum dinger t-rigged weightless, letting my bait sink and shaking it, while waiting for that tap.
I pulled 3 Bass up and out this way, nice chunky bass.”

-”While paddling I came upon some Monster Grass carp.
Here is a video of the encounter:”

-”I had to leave for an appointment, so I was off the water at 5pm.

Life is Good!

Tight Lines all
Rox”




-”Took the W500 out on the Farmington River in Connecticut today, and hit some flooded back waters.
Waters are very high and fast with all this rain, so my target was to get into some back waters that were not easy to get to when water levels are low.”

-”I had to cross some pretty fast water to get to the opening of a cove, W500 tracked great, and paddling cross the current was a breeze.”

-”As I got to the back of the small cove, I could see where I needed to enter.
Paddling under trees, and over some logs, then over a fallen tree to get into and out of this hidden gem.
I had the whole place to myself, and landed a few nice fish, nothing to really brag about, just new water exploring at it’s best.”

-”I was in water less then 6″ at times, paddling through with no problems at all.
The W500 handled like a champ, I included a video of me leaving the back water cove and going over the logs and tree to head back to my launch point.”

-”Thanks again for this wonderful fishing machine,

Rox”

Norm Craig, a from Rhode Island, had serious back surgery only months ago, and realized he couldn’t go fishing in a canoe or a regular kayak. He became the first fisherman to use our new W500 for kayak fishing. He wrote this fishing kayak ‘mini review’ immediately after taking it on water for the first time, and today he sent us his second impression:

-”Beautiful morning with the big W:

John Fabina, from Wisconsin, got his W kayak a short time ago. He sent us this picture of this good looking bass, and wrote:

-”Today I landed my first fish on the W. It was a small bass but nevertheless, it broke the ice. I was after trout today but all I caught was five bass. Had a good time and I was able to practice in the wind and waves. The W performed well. I might be able to try again tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes.   See ya,  John”

Todd Lenkowski from Massachusetts bought his son Jeff a Wavewalk F2 fishing kayak. Jeff is an experienced bass fisherman, and here is his first impression of his new kayak:

-”I’ve taken the boat out twice and it has been amazing. Like you said, it took a few minutes to get used to but I quickly got the hang of paddling and balance.

The first time out at a pond near my house I saw so many huge fish that I never knew existed. I caught a bunch of bass, but the only picture I have is of a trout I caught while I was bass fishing (the weirdest thing ever, very uncommon) I will send more pictures as I get them.
Thanks again for the great boat!  Jeff”

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”

-”Went out for the fourth time yesterday- getting my W outfitted for sight fishing carp with a fly rod in the flats.
I stand almost the entire time now, great line of sight on the fish, and it’s also easier to fight the fish standing.

I have a stake out pole for anchoring in shallow water, and a 3 lb dumbell for dropping anchor.

Steering is easy by dipping the paddle on the side I want to drift toward. I installed a notched foam paddle seat on each side so i can quietly set down the paddle and make no noise or slippage.

Yesterday I caught a real nice Common Carp– about 26″ and 7-8 lb. He ran me around for 15 minutes, and was released healthy after pics!

I also hooked a monster bass (thought I was throwing to a carp) but I lost him when I got too much line slack.

The W is a delight- easy to load, my back is feeling good, and I’m catching fish!

–Ben”

The logo on Ben’s hat says “Delaware River Kayak Fishing”.