Mark was originally from Florida. The winding road of life had brought him to Kentucky. The cost of a family and other economical influences, he came without his 25 ft boat. He had always loved fishing but didn’t think that fresh water fishing could compare. After being in Kentucky for a few months he met Adam. Adam had a shared interest in fishing and as a local Adam had ideas on how to make fishing here interesting. He convinced Mark to give fresh water a try. They strapped on waders and hit the Ohio River. It was fun but Mark was still not convinced about fishing in freshwater. A few weeks later the guys then went out on a canoe….that was it. They were hooked!
While out on a business trip Mark came across a kayak fishing publication that captured his attention. Adam and Mark toyed with the idea. It satisfies a family budget and the desire to fish. They were unaware up until this point how versatile some of the setups were. The two began searching the web for resources. They found that the online resources were underdeveloped and fragmented. Their interests in kayak fishing and the aspiration to encourage and educate others led to the development of yakangler.com.
“We wanted a place that users could share their stories, learn of new products and safety measures, and share the tricks of the trade.” In the evolvement of our website our staff members have grown to include some of our members. YakAngler.com is what it is today because of our knowledgeable Staff members and dedicated community.
Head Ninja / Cybernautical Engineer
Company Owner and Technicial Director
Name: Mark Watanabe
Nickname: YakSushi or "59 6F 75 20 63 61 6E 20 6A 75 73 74 20 63 61 6C 6C 20 6D 65 20 74 68 65 20 53 68 69 74 21"
Home Base: Louisville, KY
Kayak(s): Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident 11, Native Ultimate 14.5, Diablo Chupacabra
Kayak fishing since: 2007
Your thoughts on Kayak Fishing: How much did gas cost today, NOTHING! Every time I filled up my 25' Mako CC I thought I was going to have to take out a second mortgage! Kayak fishing is the cheapest and best alternative to fishing out of a motorized boat. It's also better for your health and our environment!
Favorite fish species, and why: King Mackerel "Kingfish", once you hook into your first 40 pound drag melting, reel busting "smoker" you'll understand!
Bait, hardware or flies: Saltwater in the Gulf of Mexico there isn't a better bait than a nice fat greenback, and I'm not talking money. Hardware.. I'd say "software"; it's hard to beat the Berkley Gulp Jerk Shad! I've caught everything on them from Snook on Indian Rocks Beach to Catfish in the Ohio River.
Country or Rock-n-Roll: I'm more of an Modern Rock and Old School Hip Hop type of guy, nothings better than a little "Funky cold medina".
Contact: mar...@yakangler.com
Website: www.yakangler.com | www.yaksushi.com
Big Kahuna / Brand Evangelist
Company Owner and Marketing Director
Name: Adam Hayes
Nickname: BajaJay
Home Base: Louisville, KY
Kayak(s): Ocean Prowler Trident 13', NuCanoe 12', Crescent kayak Double Fisher X
Kayak fishing since: 2007
Your thoughts on Kayak Fishing: I think that its a way more extreme style of fishing and I love the fact that I can just grab it and go, I don't need a trailer, partner, gas (for the boat). Its just cool and I get a great work out from it, seriously, have you seen my guns?
Your favorite Kayak Fishing moment: Probably going to the monastery because it really shows how awesome kayak fishing can be. We carry out to a pond where NO ONE fishes nor really has back access to and were just tearing it up!
Favorite fish species, and why: Stripers because the can get pretty big but when you hook into one it feels like your fighting a Mac truck, they just put up such a great fight.
Bait, hardware or flies: I love the Berkley Gulp jerk baits, you really can catch anything on them. And fishing in current I love the 3" powerbait grubs, I've caught more on these two soft plastics than any other lure out there.
Country or Rock-n-Roll: I like'm both. You'll never catch me without my jam bands; the Grateful Dead, Gov't Mule, Dave Matthews, pretty much anything playing on Sirus Jam On.
Contact: ada...@yakangler.com
Website: www.yakangler.com
Creatologist
Business Development Director
Name: Charles (Chip) Gibson
Nickname: Treehugger
Home Base: Atlanta, GA.
Kayak(s): Cobra Fish’n Dive, Ocean Kayak Trident 13
Kayak fishing since: 2005
Your thoughts on Kayak Fishing: I like the ‘up-close’ and ‘in-your-face’ reality of kayak fishing. I like the people who kayak fish, we have something in common.
Your favorite Kayak Fishing moment: Lots of them, really… most involve my son, Bradley ‘the Clone’, and watching him succeed in his kayak fishing. Others are the times shared with friends on the water and around the campfire, table, on the air…
Favorite fish species, and why: Wow, do I have to ‘dis’ some for one!? They are all unique in the way you catch them and the way they fight. I know I live in landlocked Atlanta, but I head to Florida every chance I get, and when I can, I chase the Silver King! I’ve caught some but not one yet from the kayak bucketlist!
Bait, hardware or flies: Whatever it takes… I’ve used those bright red hot dogs to catch hybrids!
Country or Rock-n-Roll: What about classical! My favorite is Shimano BTR-4000D with about 10 pounds of drag screaming! As long as I don’t have to listen to it over and over I’ll tolerate most other music.
Contact: chi...@kayakfishingradio.com
Website: kayakfishingradio.com
"coming soon"
Director of Digital and Social Media
Name: Isaac Miller
Nickname: The Nothing
Home Base: Portland, OR. Grew up in Seattle
Kayak(s): Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident 15
Kayak fishing since: 2009
Your thoughts on Kayak Fishing: I love kayak fishing. I don't know of any other single craft that can get you on the river, lakes, ocean, etc, without the environmental impact of a gas motor running all day. No motor craft can put you in tune with what is going on around the water like a kayak, either.
Your favorite Kayak Fishing moment: So far, definitely winning the 2009 Oregon Rockfish Classic. I had only had my kayak for about 6 weeks, and the winning fish was the first blood I ever put on the kayak. First fish, top water, first tourney... too many firsts in that 5 minutes of fishing.
Favorite fish species, and why: Whatever is biting. I consider myself an "Equal Opportunity Angler." I fish for it all.
Bait, hardware or flies: I'm still curious of fly fishing, but haven't given it a shot yet. Till then I'll bait for sturgeon, and hardware for the rest.
Country or Rock-n-Roll: I've been told that Spring Run Chinook prefer country....
Contact: the_...@yakangler.com
Website: http://yakfish.isaac-online.com
Imperial Revisionist
Editor
Name: Greg Becker
Nicknames: BigFlyReel
Home Base: Apollo Beach, FL
Kayak(s): Current Designs 15' "Altura"
Kayak fishing since: mid-1990s
Thoughts on Kayak Fishing: I've owned gas and diesel burners, but my favorite boats have always had paddles or oars. I loved the drift boat I used to run on the Salmon River in NY, and used to have fun fishing from sit-in kayaks in northeastern lakes before anyone I knew except the Eskimos thought it was cool. Now that I am in the Land of the Great Winter Waters, I've been able to move that love to salt water, and to quietly get to places that most other folks will never get to fish. It's my way of chilling out and being at peace with the universe - at least until the first blow-up!
Favorite Kayak fishing moment: Seeing my 9-year-old son hook and land a good redfish on his first trip in a kayak by himself.
Favorite fish species, and why: Haven't found a favorite species, but I do love anything that will take a topwater bait.
Bait, hardware or flies: Not much on bait - artificials or flies are my preference.
Country or Rock-n-Roll: I'll listen to anything but rap for a few minutes, anyway...
Contact: gre...@yakangler.com
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