Author: microskiff cat

By Mike Moody, N. Dakota

It’s been over a year since I bought my W500 and I have fished out of it numerous times so I thought I’d provide another review.

 

Stability
This yak is extremely stable. I have not had a single time on the water where I was worried. Not one. I am able to stand, sit in the riding position (by far the position I spend the most time in) or stretch out my legs with ease. This ability to change positions has helped me stay on the water longer than I would be able to in other yaks. I can’t tell you how good it feels to stand up and stretch after a couple hours of bass fishing. I also love to stand up to paddle around. It allows me to see weed lines, beds and other items that help me catch more fish.

Fishability
I have to tell you that I own a 17 ft bass boat and it has sat a lot this summer. I really like being able to sneak up on fish with my W500. I also enjoy the ability to get into skinny water without a concern about damaging a motor. I have 2 surface mount rod holders and I simply sit my tackle bag in front of me on the saddle but more on rigging in a moment. If anyone has a concern about stability when fighting a fish, don’t worry. I’ve caught some very large Northern Pike and the yak is very stable throughout the fight.

Transportation
I transport the W500 in one of two ways; in the back of my truck or on top of my wife’s Subaru. The Subaru is equipped with some crossbars and I use bath rugs to protect the back of the car and just lift the W up onto the back of the trunk and then slid it up on the roof rack. From there I just strap it down. The design of the double hulls makes strapping the W very easy. When I use my truck it’s even easier. Just two straps and away I go. I haven’t used a cart much because where I fish, I just drag it 20-30 ft to the launch across sand.

Operation
The W500 has been a joy to operate. The W tracks very well without a rudder. While wind may grab you a bit more since you are up a bit more than a traditional yak, this seldom poses much of a problem. Once you get used to turning the W, you won’t even think about it. Frankly, I would rather have the solid tracking. Just a note here, I did have to go up and over a log in my W to retrieve one of my favorite lures. I just sat way back and paddled up to the log and then moved all the way forward and I went down the other side.

Rigging
I have tried many things but found the minimalistic approach is best. I have 2 flush mount rod holders behind me, some rod holding hooks I made out of heavy wire, a collapsible oar and that’s about it. I do have a small tray that I sit on the saddle in front of me that I use to hold onto small items. It’s affixed to the saddle using a couple Velcro strips. I do use on inflatable pad so my butt doesn’t get too sore. I use Velcro to keep it secure.

Durability
I have beat the heck out of my W and there are no visible issues except some surface scratches on the bottom from me dragging it all over the north woods. I mean I abuse the poor thing. I weigh 255 and I did get one of those saddle bracket deals. Since mine didn’t come with one (I think they all come with them now), Yoav hooked me up. It was easy to install and I was good. Don’t get me wrong, there wasn’t any sign of stress or anything, Yoav and I were chatting and he said I should have one so I got one and installed it. Believe me, these things are tough.

Overall I am extremely satisfied with my purchase and will be buying another for my wife in the future.

Mike Moody

North Dakota

The deer in the one picture were happily eating lilies from the shore as I was fishing.

It’s been a tough year, thus far, for catching snakehead fish in the Potomac River.

I’ve been doing some bowfishing, lately, but I’ll always bring a rod rigged up for some topwater action.

I can paddle into some skinny water on the hunt for snakeheads.

This snakehead torpedoed a topwater popper frog in the open water.

Here’s a fattie I pierced with an arrow.

I knock out the fish with the hammer, then store it inside the W500 kayak. If it flops around it cannot get away. You cannot do this when using other sit-on-top fishing kayaks.

This beast measured 31″ & 12lbs.

I enjoy the surrounding beauty while fishing in my W500!

Fishing at sunset

First shot of the day! Here you can see the white arrow stuck in the tail of the fish. The orange line keeps the arrow connected to the bow. The W500 is easy to stand up and use the bow&arrow bowfish technique. In fact, I can stand up and hold the bow with the arrow nocked with my left hand and still paddle and steer while drifting with the tide with my right hand. When I see a snakehead I can quietly lay my paddle across the W500 and then take a shot.

Snakehead fish are ugly-looking, but they taste excellent! Here’s a thick piece of fillet baked in organic olive oil & topped with Old Bay seasoning.

the end of August for those wishing to join me. Just email Yoav and he can forward your email to me. Launching will be out of Slavins Launch, in Indianhead, Maryland…just south of DC at the end of route 210 south.

Yoav, keep on making your awesome kayaks!!

-Tight lines,
John Dillon
Maryland

By Clint Miller

5 1/2 pounder, capital region New York –

My wife’s name is Nioca, and she didn’t only hold the fish for a pic she fought it with 6 lb test while in the front of our Wavewalk 500! It was quite the experience, to say the least but never was stability an issue lol The W500 got me back on the water after my herniated L5-S1 disk …My dad bought one after trying mine out ONE time ! Lol he has very bad knees and it allows him to stand and loosen up when needed. He was actually the one who got us into kayaking originally but I had to stop after injury until I stumbled across wavewalk.com and the rest is history…there are more good pics I will get over to ya ..thx again

Clint

By Edwin Warner

Been super busy crab fishing with my W500 kayak.

Click images to enlarge –

Click images to enlarge –

And some more crab traps…
Click images to enlarge-

Click images to enlarge-

 

Tandem kayaking isn’t easy, especially when you have to do some portaging as you move from one body of water to another.
This movie shows how much easier everything is with the Wavewalk 500 kayak:
You can launch it practically anywhere, paddle and pole anywhere, and beach it anywhere, and you get to keep your feet dry – always.

Portaging is a breeze – just attach a strap or a leash to this kayak, and pull. It’s light weight and flat hulls allow you to carry it in rough terrain and across long distances.

This is the world’s stablest kayak, and its passengers can paddle it standing or in the comfortable and powerful Riding position.

It’s the ideal kayak for both Touring and Fishing, as it offers unrivaled mobility and more storage space than any other kayak.

This video was shot in Borderland State Park, in Massachusetts.