Back in the saddle and fighting monster bass

I’m baaaack in the saddle again! Today was the day, the return to my beloved Wavewalk. Took a quick little afternoon trip to Upper Broad Creek with Fishing Buddy and picked up where I left off in January.

I thought I would be a little shaky the first few minutes but, no way, I felt great and took right off for a little point that has reed grass and a spiky stump. I tossed a “Trim Gim” by Bett’s poppers and hooked up with a pumpkinseed. He was a cute little fella and the popper was as big as his face. I tossed ole Gim to the left of the spiky stump, made two short strips, and felt some tension in the line. I figured I was hung up on spike so I lifted the rod tip to give it a little shake to release the popper and all of a sudden the rod gets bent slam over and then a big ole bass rockets out of the water. I was caught completely off guard thinking I was hung up on a stump. That dude looked like Jordan launching from the paint and made a move like you see at the Olympics during the diving competition. After the acrobatic display I strip striked to get the hook set and tried to keep from losing my rod. I don’t know how big that bass was but, it took 15 minutes for the hole to fill back up with water after he splashed down  😉
At some point during this epic battle the line went slack and I became intensely disappointed when I stripped my popper back without a big bass attached to it. As I sat there thinking about what could have gone wrong, I took a look at Ole Gim and noticed that the hook didn’t look quite right. Big ‘un had just about straightened it out.

Changed poppers and caught another pumpkinseed and a really nice bluegill. The bluegill was a whopper that I landed with the net.

It was a great trip and I’m so happy to be back out on the water in my Wavewalk. I’m going again soon and will let you know how it goes.

bass-fishing-kayak-and-angler-1024 bluegill lure pumpkinseed-1 pumpkinseed-2

 

More fishing and rigging with Jill »

 

W700 Outfitted for Catching Catfish

By Captain Larry Jarboe

I took some time off on Saturday from setting up my Chesapeake Fish Camp and Wavewalk friends and family demos to make a run to Mallows Bay on the Potomac River.
In this shallow cove, resides the largest shipwreck graveyard in the Western Hemisphere. There is a beautiful park and public boat launch.
Though the catfish are spread out in the river and up the creeks, you can still catch a mess of catfish if you fish the right tide with the right bait.

The four way removable PVC spreader rod holder rig / anchor line cleat helps put enough baits all around the boat to tickle their whiskers.

8 Blue Cats and 3 Channel Cats did not come close to loading up the W700. But, they will make a fine fish fry.

Just wait till November when the big Blue Cats are lined up at the edge of the channel waiting for me to return…

Looking forward to summer Wavewalk adventures in the Keys.

Wavewalk 700 with four rod holders and a cutting board for bait

 

Wavewalk 700 next to shipwreck

 

Various catfish at the bottom of the hull

 

More fishing adventures with Capn’ Larry »

Staying ahead of MS and enjoying the beauty of Alaska’s coast line

By Pat Irwin

Homer, Alaska
Free Spirit Wear

The W position is working great for me. I can now enjoy all that Homer, Alaska has to offer by way of the water and I can get a good workout as well without my legs going numb. I have MS [Multiple Sclerosis] and exercise is crucial for me to stay ahead of this disease, and cycling is getting to the point that it’s hard for me to even get my heart rate up much less get a workout. The Wavewalk now allows me to work my strong upper body, get a good workout, and enjoy the beauty of Alaska’s coast line.
I may even catch a few fish!
Thank you for making this possible.

paddling-the-Wavewalk-500-in-Alaska

 

Photos: Kathy Sarns Irwin

More from Pat in Homer, Alaska »

 

 

DIY loading deck and winch system for my W500 kayak

By Pat Irwin

Homer, Alaska

I just got the W500 boat yesterday and finished my loading deck last night. These pics are at low tide so I’m waiting for the water to come up so I can launch this thing. I’m so excited and I have lots of local folks interested in it. I’ll keep you posted and thank you again for all your help.

Loading-dock-for-kayak winch-system-for-kayak-loading-deck

 

More from Pat in Homer, Alaska »

 

 

 

Wavewalk® 700: Quick and Easy Car-Topping

This instructional video shows a quick and easy way to upload this catamaran kayak on top of a midsize and large size SUVs from the vehicle’s side.

Note that it’s possible to upload this boat on top of cars and smaller SUVs either from the vehicle’s front, or from its rear end.

 

Before you car top your W700

Tip 1

Outboard motor and fishing gear should go in the back of your vehicle before you start car topping your boat. Although the paddle fits in the hulls, we recommend putting it inside the car as well.

Tip 2

Protect the car’s roof with a big towel, and do the same for the door.

Tip 3

Attach a short rope between the two front eyelets. This extra handle will come handy at a certain point, when you lift the boat up.

Tip 4

You want to use the eyelets on the sides of the front and the rear ends of the W700 cockpit as leads for the ropes or straps that you’ll use to attach it to the roof rack. It’s easier to get the rope through these eyelets while the boat is still on the ground, before you upload it. Common buckle straps are inexpensive and easy to use, and they work perfectly.