BUZZBAIT [G EAR] Go, Go Gadgets
GEAR THAT GETS YOU TO THE FISH FASTER BY RIC BURNLEY
TO THE FISH FASTER. CHECK OUT THESE SPEEDY ACCESSORIES. PHOTO: COURTESY BASS PRO SHOPS
YOU DON’T NEED 1,000 HORSEPOWER AND A PIT CREW TO GET T A
he words “fast” and “kayak” don’t usually go in the same sentence. However, recent advances
in kayak fishing gear allow anglers to get to the fish faster than ever. While a paddle-powered boat’s top speed may only be a few knots, these tools make kayak fishing easier and more efficient. Transporting the kayak to and from the fish
is the toughest part of kayak fishing. And the slowest. Speed up the process with a ceiling hoist by Suspenz (A). Simply back the car into the garage, loosen a single rope and the kayak will lower onto the roof racks. Speaking of racks, Whispbar’s Saddle Roller (B)
paired with their HD bar presents a low profile that is aerodynamic and quiet. The saddles clip into the bar in seconds and fold flat when not in use. A pair of integrated wheels make quick work of rolling the kayak on and off the rack. The saddles lock to the rack and locking cams on the strap secure the kayak. The HD bars even feature a channel to store the tag-end of the strap. WheelEEZ (C) is famous for making all-ter-
rain kayak carts that easily lug heavy loads across rough ground. Now they’ve slapped their patented low-pressure balloon tires on a wider cart will
that fit under even the fattest sit-on-top kayak.
The Kayak Cart-Large model is over 42 inches wide with padded braces that will accommodate a V-hull or tri-hull kayak. The cart uses WheelEEZ’s 16.5-inch tires to handle up to 300 pounds of gear. Removable consoles are all the rage. A snap-in
DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here for more go-fast kayak gear. 24…KAYAK ANGLER
pod allows the angler to load and unload tackle, gear and even electronics in seconds. One of the first kayaks to feature a pod is Viking’s ProFish Reload 14 (D). Viking’s designer Grant Montague explains, “I was tired of loading up the tackle box, loading up the boat, unloading the tackle box and unloading the boat after each trip.” If a kayak were a race car, the paddler would
be the motor and the paddle the gas pedal. Even if the angler provides the power, a slick blade will improve efficiency and speed. Aqua-Bound’s marketing specialist, Andrew Stern, explains, “Basic physics says that the less weight you have to move around, the less strain on your body, and the more energy you save to paddle harder.” Their Swell Carbon (E) features a high-angle blade that weighs only 25 ounces for maximum output. The Spindrift Carbon is a low-profile blade that shaves off another ounce for covering long distance at a steady pace. If you prefer pedaling to paddling, Hobie’s new
Mirage Drive with Glide Technology (F) will have you zooming to and from the fishing grounds. By using roller bearings in the moving parts and replacing plastic with metal, the new drive is stiffer and smoother, making it 10 percent more efficient. “That means every 10 miles you paddle you get
a free mile,” explains Hobie Fishing’s marketing manager Keeton Eoff. Race fans are sure to love that math.
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