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Motorized kayaks
On this Monday, October 13, the kayak took to the water. As it's still a bit windy, I switched the float to a motor version. This kayak can be fitted with a variety of propulsion systems. A pedal propeller, a stepper (with blades) or a steppe well motor. So it was in this version that I rigged my kayak for this session.
This small 24 V motor can be installed in place of the steppe, with no modifications required. It slips into the existing box in place of the steppe and uses the same simple blocking system. It is connected to a high-capacity 1100 W lithium battery. The whole unit is controlled by a potentiometer whose function display gives all the information needed to operate the kit. Three possible operating modes. Mode 1, eco, 50% battery power available, Mode 2, intermediate, 70% battery power and Mode 3, sport mode with 100% battery power... it's a real blast!
In search of squid
So it's with this equipment that I begin this autumnal "spring" session. The squid are very present at the moment and the meshes are starting to grow. To get started, I took my Kendoza 701 MH from Explorer Tackle, a new 2025 model. It's paired with a Penn Slammer 3500 reel and I put my tataki rig on it. An Aurie Q Search double glow jig on the bottom and a floating Calmero on top, all in orange.
After a quick tour of the banks to see if any fish are active, I head for my squid drift. They don't take long to appear. The first squids are of modest size, but the prettiest soon become active. It's often the floating jig at the top that catches the biggest ones. The rocking is still an hour away, and the tidal current and easterly wind confirm my decision to fit the motor to my float. Drifting upstream is quicker and, above all, easier. I wonder if I'm getting a bit lazy as I get older... In any case, I appreciate the concept. The tide turns and I leave the cephalopods for a while. I switch to the trolling version.
I walk along the edges with one of my favorite lures, a 3 DB Jerkbait, rigged with single Owner hooks. I fish in 3 to 4 meters of water and end up finding a few fish. Arriving in front of the park area, where the water is between 6 and 8 meters, I change lure and take out a large bib lure found on the bank during the last spring tides. It doesn't fail, a nice round fish grabs it and gives me a nice fight.
After this scaly interlude, I return to my squid drift. They're on the rampage and I'm going to record several nice squid doubles, with even some follow-ups behind the two dives on the EGI. All good things must come to an end and, as with all my sessions, this one ends with a nice snack. I reach my launch in outboard mode. This little motor doesn't take up much space, but what efficiency. As you can see in the video at the end of this article, the kayak moves much faster than with the stepper, and it's less tiring...
I'll be sharing a snack with a surprise guest. A four-legged companion will give me the look of a beaten dog, he enjoyed my mortadella salad...
