Headed out to American Lake 3-16

Had enough of being trapped in the house and been dying to try the rigger.  So as soon as I finish my breakfast, feed my critters,  and load the Wavewalk,  my son and I are headed out to American to try for some kokanee action!   He is going to fish out of a marsh rat that he has rigged with an electric trolling motor. (cheater) 

Anyone else going to be out there in the rain?

If you see a brown Wavewalk come by and say howdy!

There have been quite a few posts about various downrigger mounts -- would you be willing to share a picture of how you did your DR on your kayak?  Thanks!  Good luck with the kokes.

Wish I would have seen this earlier. NWnoob and I saw you out there, but couldn't tell it was a wave walk from that far away. I even said "I wonder if that's widgeon man". He was in the yellow outback, and I in the grey adventure. We passed your son on our final troll back to our rigs and asked how he was making out. It wasn't a smoking hot day for us. NWnoob had one take, but got skunked. I brought two home. Had a few more takes that didn't stick, but popped the downrigger clip. Lost another while adjusting my drag.

Nice fish!

I saw the two kayaks out there.  But we were always behind you. Son ended up using the Yellow Wavewalk (I was in the brown one).
We got the skunk.  I had one tap but that was it.  Other than that nothing.  We left the handheld gps at home so I was unsure of our speed.   We checked by looking at the action, but it is tough when it is so close to the surface.   I am new to the dodger/hootchie combo so figure I have some dues to pay to figure it out.

Downrigger worked like a charm.  Only issue was that I will need to adjust where I put my transducer.  Half the time I was only reading the downrigger ball.  Adjusting gain etc. couldn't get it past seeing just that and thinking that it was the bottom. I will change the location and it should be fine.

Deploying forward between the hulls was really slick.  I am able to comfortably reach and get the ball and clip and deploying and picking back up is easy.  I currently have wire on, but will switch to braid as soon as I can.   With my pole pointing forward the line was completely out of the way for paddling!  I was concerned about that. but it worked great.

Good shakedown and it was really nice getting out even if the weather and fish did not really cooperate.

Here is my install on the downrigger.  Little different because it is a Wavewalk.http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=12629.0

I saw a few other Kayaks out on the lake today but never got close enough to say hello.  I was in the green PA staying near the island.  Got one in to the boat but nothing besides that one fish.  I got out kind of late and everyone seemed to be wrapping up by that point.  Good news is my new downrigger worked like a champ today after making a few modifications (pictures coming soon).  I hope to meet up with you guys next time.

It'll only get better in the next few weeks. Hope to catch you all out there another time!

Cool to see so many kayaks out there.  What was everyone using? 

I was using pink spatter with pink hoochie, fire cured shoepeg  corn.   Son was using a sling blade with a purple white mini hoochie and gulp maggots.

I had the one hit but then nothing.