WAVEWALK KAYAKS

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

-”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’ McGovern’s new kayak fishing article is called ‘Good As Live Bait?’. It’s a review of the Fishbites and Gulp lure brands.

Jeff writes: -”The brands I’ve been using are “Fishbites” (Carr Specialty Baits, St Augustine, Florida) and the more widely distributed “Gulp” (Berkley). They are very different in composition, but achieve the same purpose for me: live bait results without the hassle of storing or keeping bait alive in my W. Whenever I’m fishing saltwater flats, both products are onboard and ready to catch fish.”



Jeff McGovern’s new fishing tackle review is about the Emmrod fishing rods.

Jeff explains what their advantages are, and how they fit certain kayak fishing needs.

While these rods are good with any fishing kayak, Jeff recommends to use them in combination with the W fishing kayak because the Riding position it offers enables achieving optimal results.