One fun thing about the W is never running out of ideas about how to modify it to meet one’s needs.
I’ve been wrestling with trying to figure out how to get a 3rd outfit on board to supplement the 2 rods I have in my flush rod holders. Right now I’ve got the 3rd rod attached to the hull with a bungee cord at the reel end (the other end of this bungee cord holds my anchor stick in place). A small clip attached to the wrap-around cord that came with the W secures the tip end. The rod is out of the way and easy to get to.
The only negative is having the reel a little nearer the salt water than I would like, but a good rinse after each trip seems to keep it in working order.
Gary
Note the extra holes drilled in the cockpit rim for attaching fishing gear
Jeff is taking the next step towards simplifying his kayak fishing style. No more complicated rigging with a milk crate, and not that many rod holders: His W500 offers enough storage space for all his fishing gear and tackle, including his Emmrod fishing rods, so he uses just one deck mounted rod holder (RAM-117).
Jeff McGovern, and ex-disgruntled Wavewalk Kayaks customer turned big fan, just started his own kayak fishing blog called Jeff’s Tackle Box.
Jeff is undoubtedly one of the most knowledgeable kayak anglers around, and he’s always been willing to share his insight and enthusiasm with other anglers, whether on Jaxkayakfishing – his local kayak fishing club’s online forum, or worldwide – on the Wavewalk Kayaks forum.
During these turbulent economic times, Jeff had to change directions in his career, and from being a high flying executive in a big pest management company, he became a distributor for Emmrod – an innovative fishing rod company that offers a range of rods that are particularly suited for kayak fishing, which is Jeff’s passion.
Jeff usually fishes both saltwater and fresh water in the northeastern part of Florida, but once a year he goes on a fishing trip to Canada to fish with his father and brothers.
Photo: Jeff and Kate demonstrating fishing rods in a fishing tackle store in Jacksonville, Florida
We wish Jeff a big success in his new business, and we hope his new blog will become popular among kayak anglers, as well as other anglers worldwide.
Jeff McGovern to conduct kid’s inshore fishing clinic at Genung’s Fish Camp, Crescent Beach, January 23
Palatka, FL 1/4/10—Come spend an exciting, fun day with Jeff McGovern at Genung’s Fish Camp from 9 AM to Noon on January 23, 2010. Learn how to choose lures, bait, line and rigging to catch more fish in fresh and saltwater.
Emmrods will be featured and there will be a drawing for an Emmrod Packer Combo donated by Jeff’s Tackle Box at the end of the program. This free event is open to youth and youth groups of all ages and their parents and chaperones.
Coffee and donuts will be provided.
Registration is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
Genung’s Fish Camp is located at 291 Cubbedge Road (just below the 206 bridge at US 1), Crescent Beach, FL. For more information or to register, please contact Johnny at (904) 471-4144.
-”Here you go, a true inshore saltwater trophy 36 inches, 37 with a pinched tail, weight at 17 to 18lbs.
This redfish was caught on a topwater plug (Chug Bug) in about 2 feet of water as it cruised the edge of a mangrove island.
The rod of course an Emmrod which I suggested they call a “Topwater Special”. This was the first fish on this new model.
Later this week I’ll be trying the feat again only in the W kayak instead of on board a flats skiff. -Jeff”
In preparation for comparison to the new W500 I have been spending time “relearning the joys” of sit inside and sit on top kayaks.
Besides the obvious back issue already known there is the concern of shoulder pain. I have had some discomfort, but in talking to a few other fellow kayak fishermen they mentioned the pain associated with casting from the awkward L position. I noticed soreness the next day trying to power out long casts from the L position. It was far easier to just get out and wade since in the standing position the casts were braced.
I think in many cases the so called fishing kayaks are really just fishing transport devices, since actually fishing from them is a constant compromise. Many times getting out on a suitable bank or sand bar is far more comfortable. Besides, in many sit on tops the wet butt syndrome leads to other comfort problems down the road…
If we compare a standard cast from the W kayak to a cast from a sit on top we see two different things entirely: The sit on top cast is a controlled flail with the hope for distance and accuracy. It is many times followed by a winch from the angler as they deal with the pain. A cast from the W kayak is a powerful controlled launch that accurately places the lure right where it needs to be. It’s quite a difference, and one that can only be experienced – it is difficult to describe.
I’ve mentioned the Emmrod fishing rods before both in articles on the your site, and in articles for Emmrod itself. Out of the W kayak the Emmrod casting rods are deck guns in power and distance. The W riding position allows the angler to use the Emmrod to it’s fullest. From the L position that same rod on a cast will not get the same results.
-”It’s all hype so far. In comparing the Kayak Angler guide to a much wider distributed magazine or rather catalog the information is about the same. I’ve got both [brand of fishing gear stores] and [brand of fishing catalog] catalogs at the house and the hype you see for various products and the crazy claims are much the same. For example reels that won’t backlash and can make you a better fisherman. Total and complete nonsense, I know people that have purchased baitcast reels because of the claims and after a few days use never ever go back to that style. They did not live up to the claims.
Sometimes people can be saved. My friend for example had loads of trouble with a bait caster. I looked at his reel an older hand me down from a relative and found it sound but in need of tuning. That issue combined with a very one broken down rod was his problem. I tore down and serviced the reel. Then at a visit to [fishing gear store] had him buy something that complemented that older reel. Now he loves the setup because it works and it fits him properly. If he had only seen the catalogs and bought the hype nothing would have worked.
Lures might be the worst of all with claims of filling the boat if a certain brand or type of lure is thrown. It’s made more complicated by the late night infomercials for things like the Banjo Minnow.
I know the whole thing is upsetting, but remember Wavewalk really does have a totally different boat. It is like nothing before it, and it will become a boat for the masses. Other fishing kayaks answer no current issues with the back or comfort since you still sit low.
The answer most folks seem to have to the comfort problem is to add a really nice seat, that I verified by checking with guys with our kayak group here. They keep upgrading their seats. First an additional pad then more padding and finally dropping big dollars (like 200+) for a fancy aftermarket seat. Of course it solves nothing long term. Fact is boats should have had comfort taken into account up front but I guess that takes away their price advantage. Of course in your case the Wavewalk seat is already there and requires nothing else to work. Also your day is not ruined when you show up to fish and find you’ve forgotten your seat.
The accessory market is also very interesting. For the added cost of the “factory” rod holders you really can’t use them in a sit on top. If you do you subject your reels to loads of saltwater wash over but then again I guess that is good for the reel companies. Treated in that fashion unmaintained reels would make it maybe one season.
Talking about reels one of the local radio fishing shows here nearly gave me a heart attack a couple of weeks back. They were on air talking about proper equipment care after use in saltwater. What they recommended would only benefit a reel repair business or the tackle firms themselves. Those fellows recommendations were just so wrong. I tried to call at the time of the broadcast to be on air. But while I was waiting and driving at the same time my cell lost it’s signal. By the time I got one again they were on to other subjects and the screener said the lines were too full. I did try again last weekend when they were on but my subject was not on the table so I didn’t make the show.
Oh well, sometimes the pioneers like Wavewalk take the sling and arrows. I like helping shoot back. The W kayak is the best of it’s kind in paddlecraft.
– Jeff”
Jeff sent us this new clip, where he shows his W kayak equipped with three Emmrod fishing rods, and he tells about the his favorite one, the new Fuji model:
