WAVEWALK KAYAKS

The Connecticut Fishermen won this round, the state rolled back fishing/hunting fees, fishing is now $28. instead of $40.
A big plus for the state, even though I still paid the $40 in March, there was no way I was going to fish without my fishing license.

The fishing has been good.
I have not taken my yak out for a fishing trip yet.
But I have gotten out with my friend Daddy Pickle, since March.

We’ve fished Congamond Lake and the Connecticut River.

Congamond Lake is an amazing body of water, it holds many trophy fish, and I had the pleasure of fighting and landing one.

March 10th 2010 Congamond Lake:

If today was my last day on earth, this is how I want to go.

My First Atlantic Salmon ever, and a Trophy Salmon to boot!

30″ and at least 12 lbs if not more, my batteries in my scale were dieing, so the reading wouldn’t read correctly.

It was 20 minutes of pure heaven and pure hell, all rolled into one!

All caught on my RayZ custom Smallie med-lite St Croix rod, with a Prodigy 1500 reel spooled with vanish 8 lb test.

This Fish hit like a freight train, my drag screaming, I’d gain a little ground and ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ off she’d go.

I’d gain some back and ZZZZZZZZZZZZ, get her boat side and ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, this fish was beating me up good, my arm was killing me.

To afraid to touch the drag, in fear of breaking my light line.

After two more runs out to deeper water she tired enough for Daddy Pickle to sweep her into the boat, even though she did not fit in our Bass Net.

It is a catch, that will be forever etched into my brain.
She was released to be caught another day.

I still can’t wipe the smile off my Face!!

I’ve been chasing Stripers and Smallies on the Connecticut River.

Some were caught from shore, and a few were caught in my Buddy (DaddyPickles) Boat.

I caught my first Keeper Striper of the 2010 season.

29″, caught with a 4″ paddle tail by Strike King, sexy Shad color.
It was a great battle in the strong current on the Connecticut River.

Some very nice Smallies have been caught in the mix too.
All smallies were caught with a 1/8 oz ball jig, rigged with a 2″ paddle tail grub, in rainbow trout color.

So I’d say my season has started off with a bang.

Next week I will be starting some yak adventures along with the release of the
Snapping Turtle (Berine Mack) I rescued last Year from Rainbow Reservoir.
He’s grown quite large, and is ready and able to fend for himself.

Hope all is well.

Tight Lines.

Rox

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.

Over the years, Jeff has contributed great articles and reviews about fishing, rigging and fishing tackle to our website. He’s also contributed numerous, interesting kayak fishing and rigging movies , as well as countless comments to our blog.

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.

Yoav

Dick Sherman, from Florida, got his yellow W500 fishing kayak a short time ago. He ordered it after testing his friend’s Gary Rankel green W500.

“First of all, I have to thank Gary for introducing me to the Wavewalk and guiding me through the maze of islands and passageways. Without him I probably would still be trying to find my way back.

The Wavewalk was great. It was easy to launch, paddle and fish out of. It is just amazing the places you can go to in the Kayak. We went out at low tide and were often scraping bottom. There would be no other way to get into this area to fish or to view the beautiful scenery. It was really great. No motor noise, beautiful birds and crystal clear water.

Unfortunately our recent cold weather had the fish huddled around a heater that we were unable to find, but I didn’t need to catch fish to have a great time.

–Dick”

And Gary adds:

-”Unfortunately, our recent cold snap seems to have chased the fish to deeper water, so I don’t have a picture of Dick hauling in a big one. He did, however, seem to be very happy with his new kayak, and is excited about learning a new way to fish.

We ran into Adrian Englert on the water, who reminded me that there will be a Paddlers Picnic and Customer Appreciation Day in Crystal River on Feb 20. Adrian plans on setting up a station to inform folks about the new kayak fishing club he is starting.
I’ll bring my W500 for folks to look at, and may even see how I fare in the competition.
Food will be served and gifts and prizes will be handed out. The day should provide an opportunity for folks to compare the W with other kayaks on the market. The event has been covered in our local newspaper so, hopefully, the weather will cooperate and we’ll have a nice turnout.

–Gary”

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” :

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.

For more information about Jeff McGovern or Emmrod, go to www.jeffstacklebox.com

It’s time for another look at this style of bait and the rigging that works best.  I just got back from another of the McGovern family trips to Canada fishing Lake of the Woods.  As with the last three years, the Redfish Magic type lures caught the vast majority of the fish for everyone.  Even folks not in our group, who we had told about the lures years back, were using them with equal success.  It did not even matter what species of fish — northern pike, muskie, walleye, and smallmouth bass all succumbed to these baits.  If you have not tried this type of lure (especially if you live in the northern areas), don’t do it unless you are prepared to catch fish after fish.

I’ve gotten to the point where I build them as required from available rigging.  But if you chose to tear open a Redfish Magic and use it straight from the package, that’s fine too.  They are considered saltwater bait.  The original design is called a jig spinner.  The first of its type was the Beetle Spin, which you can read about in another article here on this site.  Redfish Magic was intended to be a heavy weight version to catch redfish in US coastal inshore waters.   It works very well as intended, but when you transition to freshwater, it works even better.  The lure is two sections: a jig spinner harness with a blade swivel combo, a safety pin type clasp, and then a jig head which attaches to the clasp.  The jig head can be adorned with a variety of trailers from plastic to bucktail.  You can vary the weight of the presentation by simply going to a lighter or heavier jig head.

Rigging properly gets the most out of this style lure.  I avoid the use of as much hardware as possible for this bait.  My preferred method of use is to tie a leader to my main line first.   Last week in Canada, it was 15 lb fluorocarbon for 8lb mono line and 20lb fluorocarbon for heavier lines.  The leader is attached to the main line using a four turn surgeon’s knot.  The lure is tied to the leader using a canoeman’s loop knot.  Both those knots can be found and explained here in this site, as well.  Most important, before tying on the lure, is to put a small section of 1/8 inch ID clear plastic tubing over the “R” bend of the shaft.  This creates a closed attachment loop and prevents the leader loop from sliding onto the shaft of the harness.  It also adds a movement or articulation point so the bait has more action in the water.  With zero hardware (metal leaders, snaps, and swivels), you will catch more fish.  The fluorocarbon leader is tough enough for even toothy fish like pike and muskie.

Our success with this type of lure and rigging is unbelievable.  When we introduce it to other anglers, they are a bit skeptical.  However, after they make the first attempt, they are solidly hooked.  What’s funny is how this usually happens.  We talk about the bait and even show pictures.  They smile and say “Hey, that’s great!” and give the lure to their kids to try first.  You know– too simple, only one hook, great for kids– all that sort of thing.  Then, on the first day with it on the water, they are right back casting their expensive baits with loads of gang trebles on them.  Of course, the kids are just catching fish right and left with Redfish Magics, while the adults pull in empty lures.  By about 10AM, and who knows how much bribery, everyone is fishing them.  When the group heads in for the day, the live well is full and there are some great shots in the camera.
For those of you reading this with a little skepticism, I understand.  The lure is cheaper than most and does not have flashy lights or a super realistic finish.  Put that aside and buy some–you won’t be disappointed. Follow the rigging instructions and make sure you have strong arms for all the pulling you will be doing.  The best places to find them in the south are places that sell saltwater tackle.  In the north, you can find them online in the saltwater lure sections of fishing gear stores and catalogs.

Jeff McGovern (c) 2009

More kayak fishing articles by Jeff

Don Rainey is a seasoned kayak fisherman who decided to switch from traditional fishing kayaks to the Wavewalk kayak because his back and legs wouldn’t let him go on…

Don tells in his fishing kayak review that it took him some time to master his new W kayak, and he found out that not only was his back and legs feeling good, for a change (which he had expected), but he could in fact fish under conditions that would have previously forced him to stay home, including strong winds and chop:

“All fish were caught in extremely windy conditions with a good bit of a swell going on. I probably wouldn’t have ventured out in those conditions with my old kayak.”