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Jamie, A Wisconsin W kayak fisherman:
By Jerold Harter, MD
Disclaimer and how I found it
I have no connection to WaveWalk kayaks except as a customer who offered to write a review. I am an amateur fisherman and have used canoes and kayaks rarely over the years.
Why I Purchased a Kayak
I looked for a kayak as a fishing craft that would function well between my boat and float tube. The choice was between a canoe and a kayak. I think a canoe is too large and awkward for me to handle alone in most situations so I opted for a kayak. I am 45 years old and not interested in jamming myself into a tube at water level and sitting in an L-position all day. I needed something in which I could stand. Also, I am a fly fisherman so standing helps a lot with fly casting. I live in Wisconsin so staying warm and dry are considerations.
I did a lot of web surfing to narrow the options. I found a few options including the hybrid canoe, a kayak with folding outriggers, and the WaveWalk in the under $2000 category. I thought that the hybrid canoe model was too expensive, too much like a canoe, and it looks tippy. I thought the kayak with folding outriggers was too expensive, too heavy, and too complicated for standing. The WaveWalk was the paper winner for cost, easy standing, weight, portability, and fly fishing utility. So, I took the plunge and bought one.
Purchasing Experience
I purchased a green kayak with two recessed rod holders and two RAM rod holders. (In retrospect, I would have eliminated the recessed holders because they are only useful for larger spinning rods and they obstruct valuable storage space in the pontoons.) I called Yoav, the kayak was prepared, and arrived at my door in 2-3 weeks. The kayak was delivered by truck and wrapped in heavy plastic. One of the tie-down loops was cracked off in shipping but no other problems.
First use
I bought the kayak at the end of last winter so we still had cold weather and snow to contend with. Shortly after the WaveWalk arrived we had a nice day so I took it down to the local river for the first try. Ingress and egress are very easy. Because of the construction, I can put the front of the kayak in the water and then walk between the rear pontoons to step in. No cold, wet feet. At first, I felt awkward and tippy and certainly reluctant to stand up in the current and cold water. I paddled for awhile. It tracks very well but turning took some practice. I cautiously stood up and tried to paddle. After a brief panic and abrupt sit down, I tried a few more times. After about 10 minutes I had it down and paddling while standing was fun. It felt like I was cheating somehow. Again, turning the WaveWalk while standing is another brief learning curve. Turning in current while standing is another skill but I think major turns while standing in current take enough effort that sitting is better. Overall, my initial doubts were relieved and I was confident that I could manage. After that I took two longer trips of a few hours each, both while it was snowing. I stayed warm and dry even though I had to pass some tree falls. On most, I could lean back and get the front of the kayak over the top and then scoot forward to paddle past the tree fall. On larger obstacles, I had to get out, drag the kayak over, and then get back in. All without getting my feet wet. I could never do that in a regular kayak or canoe. I was eager to fish.
Summer Experience
This summer I have spent a lot of time in the WaveWalk, much more time than in my boat. I keep it in the garage on some plastic shelving purchased from Menard's so that is sits about two feet off the ground. I can manhandle it into the back of my pickup truck (just a 6 foot bed) using a couple of bungee cords to secure it. I did splurge on a Yakima rack for longer trips and I can get the WaveWalk to the car top by myself without cursing.
I fished on ponds, small lakes, large lakes and rivers. The WaveWalk was great. I could fish all day. I stayed dry with no chafing, wet feet, or other annoyances associated with regular kayaks. Sitting a little higher is great for spotting fish and seeing into the water. Standing is even better. Fish don't seem to spook in the kayak. I hooked a carp one day as I sidled up next to the pod of fish and drug my fly through them without spooking the fish. I could never do that in a boat or float tube.
I was doubtful about river fishing. I live near the Wisconsin River which has some good smallmouth bass fishing. Backwaters have little current so no problem. In the current, fishing was more of a challenge but as I got the hang of it I did quite well. Again, there is a bit of a learning curve but nothing unique to the WaveWalk. In the WaveWalk, it was easy to paddle up to some shallow rocks or sand and briefly beach the kayak while I stood to scatter some casts and then move on. Other times, I would just drift with the current and line up my trajectory. I don't advise trying to anchor in current.
In lakes and ponds it was great. I could cover vast amounts of water relative to a float tube and access water that my boat could not reach. Anchoring is easy but the basic 2-pound kayak anchor is useless. I used an 8-pound bell anchor. My friend would come along and fish from a basic sit-on-top kayak. His back would ache after a couple of hours while I could literally fish all day without problem. Also, his backside was wet while I stayed dry. He had to slop through some muck on the shore to get out, while I paddled up to shore and stepped out of the front with no problem.
Fly fishing is also much easier in the WaveWalk. From the sitting position, I am already above the water so don't have the usual float tube problem of the back cast slapping the water. Standing is obviously much better. I could apply as much leverage as needed for the cast without any fear of tipping. So far, I have never tipped in the WaveWalk. I tried jumping up and down like the video but that is actually very easy. I liked the foam noodle around the perimeter of the cockpit because I could mark off a ruler for measuring fish, lean against it with my back for support when needed and stick flies in it. I use barbless flies most of the time. Barbed hooks sometimes catch a little piece of foam in the barb which can be a nuisance to remove. The best fish I caught this summer in the WaveWalk were a 30 inch northern pike and a 20 inch smallmouth bass. Tip: keep pike outside the kayak when releasing them.
Outfitting
I take one fly rod mounted in the RAM rod holder. The holder is very secure. I use one of the orange Plano tackle boxes that can be jammed into the pontoon in front of me without problem. It holds all of the tackle I need for a day of fishing. I jam a small, narrow Rubbermaid cooler into the other pontoon to carry drinks and lunch. I also have room for an 8-pound bell anchor and a landing net. I have not tried it, but I could easily take enough gear for some camping and overnight fishing. I use a cheap anchor trolley to move the anchor rope to the front or back as need be. I bought one of the aluminum carts recommended on the website for so that I can portage the kayak in easy terrain. I recommend the heavy duty fiberglass paddle. I worried that it might be too heavy but no problem and it is very sturdy. It is a 1-piece 9-foot paddle so it will not fit inside most vehicles. I fashioned some J-hooks from PVC pipe hangers to hold the paddle at the side of the kayak while fishing. It is easy to drop the paddle, grab the rod, and make a cast without the hassle of the typical bungee paddle keeper.
Transporting
Transporting is very easy as noted above. The WaveWalk easily fits in the back of any pickup or minivan. Also, it is easy to put on a roof rack with the usual tie-downs.
Wish List
I have a number of suggestions for improvement related to fishing. The Wavewalk's simplicity is great but I wish it were easier to outfit for fly-fishing. I wish it came with a fly-fishing package that might include:
· RAM rod holders front and back
· Some way to cover the cockpit during storage/transport to keep water out. Perhaps a contoured tarp that attaches with small bungee cords as tie downs around the perimeter.
· A better cart available for purchase on the website that has a platform that would allow for more secure attachment. The usual anatomy of canoe/kayak carts does not work as well with the WaveWalk.
· A transducer built into one of the hulls so that a fish finder could be mounted to a RAM holder on one of the pontoons.
· Removable, large, J-hooks for holding the paddle to save the hassle of DIY jobs.
Quibbles
· The WaveWalk is a little flexible structurally. I have heard from some people who are concerned about that, I think because of experience with regular kayaks which are very rigid. The WaveWalk will flex a little when you jump up and down. It will deform slightly during a day of fishing. I was concerned at first but experienced no problems. The material of the kayak recovers completely and the slight warping in use does not affect functioning or comfort.
· The WaveWalk tracks better than regular kayaks, is vastly more stable, but is not as fast as longer kayaks and does not turn as quickly as shorter ones. It is not a whitewater kayak (at least for an amateur like me). But it is great for fishing and touring.
· The expanding foam in the tips of the hulls tends to work its way out. Perhaps a mechanical barrier would prevent that.
· For men, it will be a major annoyance to your spouse because you will want to spend more time fishing, get out more easily for "just a few hours", and keep hinting about "getting another one for her."
Final verdict
I think the WaveWalk it great. I enjoy paddling it and fishing is great. I caught more fish this summer than ever. I got on the water more frequently and easily than ever. I am very satisfied with my purchase. |
-"Shortly after the WaveWalk arrived we had a nice day so I took it down to the local river for the first try"...
-"After that I took two longer trips of a few hours each, both while it was snowing"...
-"Because of the construction, I can put the front of the kayak in the water and then walk between the rear pontoons to step in. No cold, wet feet"...
-"I stayed warm and dry even though I had to pass some tree falls"...
Close-up on RAM-117 rod holder and attachment for anchor trolley
Close-up on cockpit: The saddle, a fish net and some stored fishing gear.
-"I can manhandle it into the back of my pickup truck (just a 6 foot bed) using a couple of bungee cords to secure it. I did splurge on a Yakima rack for longer trips and I can get the WaveWalk to the car top by myself without cursing."
-"I could fish all day. I stayed dry with no chafing, wet feet, or other annoyances associated with regular kayaks. Sitting a little higher is great for spotting fish and seeing into the water. Standing is even better"...
-"In the current, fishing was more of a challenge but as I got the hang of it I did quite well"...
-"My friend would come along and fish from a basic sit-on-top kayak. His back would ache after a couple of hours while I could literally fish all day without problem. Also, his backside was wet while I stayed dry. He had to slop through some muck on the shore to get out, while I paddled up to shore and stepped out of the front with no problem"...
-"I could apply as much leverage as needed for the cast without any fear of tipping"...
-"I use a cheap anchor trolley to move the anchor rope to the front or back as need be. I bought one of the aluminum carts recommended on the website for so that I can portage the kayak in easy terrain"...
-"The Wavewalk's simplicity is great but I wish it were easier to outfit for fly-fishing"...
-"For men, it will be a major annoyance to your spouse because you will want to spend more time fishing, get out more easily for "just a few hours", and keep hinting about "getting another one for her"...
-"I think the WaveWalk is great."
PHOTOS: Jaime Harter, WI