Tweet
I was hoping to get a trip in my new Slayer Propel kayak before the colder weather and ice cover set in. I was about to launch from the Tucker St ramp when another kayak angler from PA drove up. He had seen my posts on snaggedline and wanted to get some information about fishing in the Severn, so we talked for a while. I ended up launching about 11:20.
015.jpg 016.jpg
The Slayer Propel seat sits on top of the hull. I sat nearly a foot higher than I do in my Manta Ray. The Slayer is wide with a lot of space for storing things in a front and rear area. With the elevated seat, I slid a large tackle tray and my water bottle under my seat. About the time I launched, the wind picked up a bit. I could pedal easily into the wind at a good speed, but found that I needed a lot of practice is steering with the rudder lever. I tended to overcorrect in one direction, then overcorrect back again. The steering improved with practice.
002.jpg 003.jpg 018.jpg
I rode out to the river then headed upstream to the Cove of Cork. I pedaled into a 1-ft chop without any trouble. Once inside the Cove of Cork, I began casting live minnows on jigheads. I soon caught my first fish on the new kayak -- a 21.5" pickerel.
020.jpg
I found no other pickerel in that tributary. I headed back into Weems and worked some stretches of shoreline that have held pickerel on previous winters. I focused on depths of 3-6 ft. I managed three more pickerel in Weems. One of them was only 16" to 17", but the other two were large fish at 22.25" and 22.75". I met up again with the guy I had seen at the ramp. He told me that he had caught three pickerel in Weems too.
022.jpg 023.jpg
After pedaling for 3.5 hours (some fast, but mostly just repositioning), I was pleased that my legs were tired but not aching. I can see why the Hobie users are so enthusiastic about hands-free motion. I am really happy that the Slayer Propel has the ability to go backwards. I did not have to get out my paddle at all until the last 5 yds at the ramp. If I found myself drifting toward the shallows or an obstruction, I just pedaled backwards and adjusted the rudder lever appropriately.
Despite the high sitting position, the Slayer Propel was very stable. This is due to the tunnel hull design. It provides stability and creates a channel for the water pushed by the propeller to move backwards.
007.jpg 009.jpg
I wore white waterman's boots today. My foot slipped off the pedal several times. I am not sure how easily I will be able to pedal with chest waders and a heavy boot. I think the pedal drive will be easier to use when I am wearing my warm water footwear of old running shoes. I learned a lot about the Slayer Propel today. I now have some clearer ideas on how and where I will rig the rod holders and FF/GPS.
015.jpg 016.jpg
The Slayer Propel seat sits on top of the hull. I sat nearly a foot higher than I do in my Manta Ray. The Slayer is wide with a lot of space for storing things in a front and rear area. With the elevated seat, I slid a large tackle tray and my water bottle under my seat. About the time I launched, the wind picked up a bit. I could pedal easily into the wind at a good speed, but found that I needed a lot of practice is steering with the rudder lever. I tended to overcorrect in one direction, then overcorrect back again. The steering improved with practice.
002.jpg 003.jpg 018.jpg
I rode out to the river then headed upstream to the Cove of Cork. I pedaled into a 1-ft chop without any trouble. Once inside the Cove of Cork, I began casting live minnows on jigheads. I soon caught my first fish on the new kayak -- a 21.5" pickerel.
020.jpg
I found no other pickerel in that tributary. I headed back into Weems and worked some stretches of shoreline that have held pickerel on previous winters. I focused on depths of 3-6 ft. I managed three more pickerel in Weems. One of them was only 16" to 17", but the other two were large fish at 22.25" and 22.75". I met up again with the guy I had seen at the ramp. He told me that he had caught three pickerel in Weems too.
022.jpg 023.jpg
After pedaling for 3.5 hours (some fast, but mostly just repositioning), I was pleased that my legs were tired but not aching. I can see why the Hobie users are so enthusiastic about hands-free motion. I am really happy that the Slayer Propel has the ability to go backwards. I did not have to get out my paddle at all until the last 5 yds at the ramp. If I found myself drifting toward the shallows or an obstruction, I just pedaled backwards and adjusted the rudder lever appropriately.
Despite the high sitting position, the Slayer Propel was very stable. This is due to the tunnel hull design. It provides stability and creates a channel for the water pushed by the propeller to move backwards.
007.jpg 009.jpg
I wore white waterman's boots today. My foot slipped off the pedal several times. I am not sure how easily I will be able to pedal with chest waders and a heavy boot. I think the pedal drive will be easier to use when I am wearing my warm water footwear of old running shoes. I learned a lot about the Slayer Propel today. I now have some clearer ideas on how and where I will rig the rod holders and FF/GPS.
Comment