Dennis Vircks
Saltwater Wavewalk Kayak Fisherman, California
-"Four months have passed since I received my Wavewalk. I thought I would take some time to tell you how much I enjoy this fine little craft. I now have it rigged to my satisfaction and to what I believe is the ultimate "individual fishing platform."
A spotted bay bass posing for Dennis' camera.
Close up on the wheel and
part of the system that attaches it to the kayak. Read
more
-"The uniqueness of the craft and the comments I receive about it are also enjoyable. Every time I take it out I get questions and comments. "What is that?" "Where did you get it" "How much did it cost?" I fish Newport Harbor and Huntington Harbor. These are very active kayak fishing locations and most of them envy me as I maneuver under power. One hard core "sit on
the topper" said to me, "That isn't a Kayak." I responded, "Well, maybe not to you because when you look at me you see that my feet and butt are dry." I explained to him that after years of working and recreating in the sun I have become a melanoma farm and my skin can't take long exposure to the sun or moist conditions. (I wear a hat, long sleeve UV shirt and jeans.) I switched topics to fishing techniques with our ultra light tackle. Since then, we have had several friendly fishing encounters. Last Saturday, as we were loading up to leave, I was astounded when he came over to me and said, "ya know buddy, I like your set up and I'm thinking about getting one."
-"I needed a diversion from the stress of my occupation. Now that I have this fine craft rigged, I get to spend a few hours just concentrating on something important; the challenging relaxation of FISHING! This is what it is all about."
Dennis Vircks
Saltwater Wavewalk Kayak Fisherman, California
-"Four months have passed since I received my Wavewalk. I thought I would take some time to tell you how much I enjoy this fine little craft. I now have it rigged to my satisfaction and to what I believe is the ultimate "individual fishing platform."
A spotted bay bass posing for Dennis' camera.
-"Ready
to start the long haul to the launching beach at Newport Harbor Back
Bay. I used Scotty rod holder bases and Cabela rod holders.
Installation was drilled holes with stainless steel screws, washers and
cap lock nuts."
-"Returning to landing
beach
in Huntington Harbor. I
like the large hollow hulls because I can store my seven foot long
rods, inflatable PFD, tackle, everything I need in them for
transporting."
-"Much of the
enjoyment was in the actual rigging process. I wanted to get it
right before I did any modifications and each decision took a lot of
deliberation before fabrication and installation. I knew that I
wanted to power the craft, I had to have rod holders and a fish finder,
I also learned that I needed a paddle keeper and a way to transport it
fully loaded on long sandy beaches.
When I pull it fully loaded its gross weight is about 125 lbs.
All of my rigging modifications were installed with drilled holes and
stainless steel screws, cap lock nuts and washers."
-"The uniqueness of the craft and the comments I receive about it are also enjoyable. Every time I take it out I get questions and comments. "What is that?" "Where did you get it" "How much did it cost?" I fish Newport Harbor and Huntington Harbor. These are very active kayak fishing locations and most of them envy me as I maneuver under power. One hard core "sit on
the topper" said to me, "That isn't a Kayak." I responded, "Well, maybe not to you because when you look at me you see that my feet and butt are dry." I explained to him that after years of working and recreating in the sun I have become a melanoma farm and my skin can't take long exposure to the sun or moist conditions. (I wear a hat, long sleeve UV shirt and jeans.) I switched topics to fishing techniques with our ultra light tackle. Since then, we have had several friendly fishing encounters. Last Saturday, as we were loading up to leave, I was astounded when he came over to me and said, "ya know buddy, I like your set up and I'm thinking about getting one."
-"I needed a diversion from the stress of my occupation. Now that I have this fine craft rigged, I get to spend a few hours just concentrating on something important; the challenging relaxation of FISHING! This is what it is all about."
Dennis Vircks
-"I stern mounted a Minn Kota 30-30 trolling motor that is used for power assist during distance travel and exclusively for maneuvering when fishing.
My Minn Kota motor mount (I call it prototype #1) was fabricated out of one inch laminated hardwood. I contoured the edges and attached it to the top with eight stainless screws, washers and cap nuts. The lower portion of the mount is a laminated three inch by three inch cross member that is bolted through the hull with stainless steel lag bolts and neoprene washers on both sides. I coated it with Krylon Non-Skid Coating rather than paint.
Sadly, the lamination glue was not equal to the task and it has started to crack at the joints. It remains solid and functional but I will be replacing it after the fishing season. I am researching various materials to use."
-"I made a removable holder for my Humminbird Piranha Max fish finder out of ¼" hardwood. I attached a scrap piece of one inch hardwood as a bottom extender. To use simply force the one inch extender into the first saddle recess. The friction holds it in place."
A narrow foam mattress attached to small diameter tubes that fit in the saddle grooves - Dennis' ingenious solution for extra comfort.
Dennis' version of a 'storm proof' paddle holder. Read more