WAVEWALK FISHING KAYAKS BLOG » fishing lures

New England Kayak Fishing Trip Report: Chunker Bass and Rats, Minus a Pig Lost, By Rox Davis

W kayak — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:42:15 +0000

Well the weather has been great here in Connecticut, and I took advantage of it.

Sunday, November 27th and Monday November 28th.

I took the W500 with the 1.2hp outboard and headed to lake Congamond in Massachusetts. The motor comes in very handy for getting to my spots quickly.

Got to the waters edge at 10:30am and I was off the water at 2:30pm. Water was a little dirty, 45 to 46.8 degrees.

Tossed rattle trap, rapala fat rap, silver buddy, and 2″ paddle tail on a 1/16th oz jig. The only lure that worked was the paddle tail.

I did have a rough start, standing at the waters edge before launching, I lost my footing and took a shi##er, got both feet $#@#%$# wet to my ankles, son of a beach…..and I’m going to have a nice bruise on my arm by tomorrow….

Then my motor wouldn’t start…….I’m thinking -”The Gary Curse is upon me” (he is a friend of mine, and when ever he goes out fishing something always goes wrong) -

After pulling and pulling and thinking, what the heck….. I said to myself, gas, spark air……..sheet, I forgot

to turn on the gas switch…….DumbASS!! Curse nope, blond moment…….yes.

I spent the first half hour tossing the RT, Fat Rap, and silver buddy.

Then I caught 8 small bass right off the bat when I switched to the paddle tail grub.

I’d cast it out, let it sink to the bottom and pause, then give it a light pop.

All the bigger Bass came out of 16′ to 22′ of water.

I had to head home, my feet were cold……note to self: Keep socks and an extra pair of sneakers in my truck.

Monday the 28th:

Water temps were 46 to 48 degrees, and very windy.

I was in 9′ of water popping the jig with the paddle tail. Cast it out past a weed line break and popped it back into the slop, as I freed it from the weeds…………….BAM…. shake, shake Flash of green goes the the right zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, flash of green goes to the left zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, Crap my Net is stuck on my bungee………………… under the yak she goes, and I slowly pull up and out to pull her back, reach down and I shove my thumb in her mouth.
I’m a happy camper, 4lbs of plump Largemouth Bass.

I continue on with the paddle tail, 2 rats, and three reties after the pickerel chew up my line.

I head over to a drop from 9 to 22′ of water and start working the jig.

Bam…………..nothing, darn pickerel cut me off again.

So instead of retying, I put the rod down and grab the shakey head worm, Zman straight tail worm dark green, cast it into a spot with a little wood in 16′ and let it sit, shake, pause, shake shake

BAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM med/heavy rod doubles over, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ then nothing.

WTF, I figured maybe a nick in my line and it snapped.

I reel in the slack, and there in front of my eyes…………….. A PIGTAIL………….knot failure…..and I know it was my fault, I didn’t like the knot when I tied on the shakey rig, but I thought it would be okay.

One of the things I tell people when tying knots: if it doesn’t look Pretty…. RETIE IT!!!!!!

Well Thank God for my first chunker, only rats minus the pig I lost was it.

Still grateful for getting out, it was a beautiful day.

Life Is Good.

Tight lines and MoPaddle safe all.

Rox

More about motorized fishing kayaks >>

November Muskie, By Gary Thorberg

W kayak — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:30:38 +0000

This kayak fishing story first appeared on Minnyaks

Late fall is muskie time in Minnesota. They seem to be fattening before for the long winter. (I usually fatten up DURING the winter.) You can catch them right up until the ice forms, or the season ends, whichever comes first. Many fisherman don’t even fish for muskies until now. This nice 40 inch, 18 plus pounder was taken from a small lake in the heart of Minneapolis, a short distance from the downtown area. The lake only allows paddling or electric motors……perfect for my Wavewalk 500!

This fish was only out of the water for a quick measurement and photo.

The canoe paddle is marked to allow for a quick measurement.

The ‘boga grip’ style gripper is much easier than a net from a kayak.

Glide baits, such as this Phantom, seem to work well this time of year.

The Wavewalk is a perfect craft for landing bigger fish. You are close to the water, and can easily steer the fish where you would like it to go. Because of the great tracking ability of the W, the fish won’t pull you around side to side as much as you would think. The fight was short and sweet, with the muskie quickly released without a scratch!
It’s going to be a long winter!

Gary
Minn Yaks

John and Jeanne Exploring Fox River By Kayak, And Catching Fish Too – Wisconsin

W kayak — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:36:20 +0000

Jeanne asked if I wanted to get some exercise and explore some stretches of river that we haven’t paddled before. Yes was my answer and we put the W’s in the truck and headed off for more exploration. This was just intended to be a touring trip but I always seem to take one fishing rod along, I can’t help it.
It was a stretch of the Fox river that I figured would be scenic but not hold many game fish.
The water was very stained as I predicted and I spotted many carp moving about. We approached a bridge and I couldn’t resist putting the paddle down and fishing the current break with my jointed Rapala. As I retrieved my lure near the boat I was startled by a set of jaws almost jumping into my W and grabbing my lure! I could not see what grabbed it because of the splash and because I almost jumped up in the air seeing jaws appearing last second out of the stained water! Much to my surprise it was a frisky Catfish. It was a first for me, catfish on a floating minnow bait and first cat in the W. I still had hope for maybe a bass or pike in this dark water. Then we spotted some back water that seemed to be blocked by brush and tree branches. I figured it is time to take advantage of the W’s ability to climb over obstacles. Bingo, it paid off again, getting into tough spots with the W. I found an area holding Largemouth bass and had fun catching them on the surface. What a blast!
John

For more kayak paddling and fishing stories from Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois, visit John’s website >>

Great Kayak Fishing Trip in Ozello, Florida

W kayak — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:39:01 +0000

I was alone today so couldn’t share the great action. The redfish have been spooky lately, but they found their appetite today and hammered my topwater lure all day. Got 7 or 8 reds and also a few trout. Missed several others. Days like this really make up for the slow ones. This will be my last blog submittal for a couple of weeks as I’m heading to Green Bay to join a few thousand cheeseheads at the Packers Shareholders Meeting next week. This should give the fish a little rest before I return.
Gary R

Jeanne Paddling Standing In Her W500 Kayak, And Scouting For Fish – Wisconsin

W kayak — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:47:22 +0000

After a check on the weather, we decided to take the W’s out for a ride on the Oconomowoc River. When we decide to go at the last minute , it only takes us five minutes to load up the W’s in the truck and head out. The weather was perfect and the water was the clearest I have seen this year. I am amazed at what an improved view I have standing in the Wavewalk kayak. I can see so more fish and aquatic life from this height. My Wavewalk kayak does not seem to bother the fish even when I glide near them. When John can’t find the fish, I tell him they’re over here by me. John even caught a few fish on the surface with his J11 floating Rapala. It’s fun to watch these fish attack on the surface!

JEANNE FABINA

Brew City Kayaks, Wisconsin