Kayak Fishing with the Hook 1 Crew

We would like to introduce you to a group of kayak fishermen who are positive, enthusiastic for the sport, knowledgeable and great fishermen.  We are proud to have them representing Hook 1 Kayak Fishing Gear.  If you see them on the shore say hello.  These are the type of guys who would be happy to answer a question or two.  If you would like to contact one of them, e-mail us and we will put you in contact with them.
Click on the pictures for a larger view.

My ideal day:  Kayak fishing with a few friends; catching a few fish; eating a good meal afterward; and sharing stories and tips with one another.
I have been fishing for over 30 years, predominately inshore and bays for over 20 years, specialty - Halibut; local water expertise - Dana Point, Newport and Cabrillo.
I enjoy fishing with my two daughters, coaching soccer and watching someone new to kayak fishing get the bug!
Location:  Southern California
Dpliska

Joel Lotilla - "Mooch" - California - born and raised in the Philippine Islands.  Started out fishing at age 9 using a bamboo pole, mono tied at the tip with a rubber float made out of a rectangular piece from a flip-flop.  "It was a simple set up but deadly to the catfish". At age 16, migrated to the US in 1986 after the Marcos vs. Aquino revolution.  Lived in Santa Monica for a year and then relocated to San Francisco.
Re-discovered the love of fishing at a local pier in the small town of Pacifica.  Years went by and the fishing "fever" grew into "Madness"; Bought a float tube and began fishing for trout, bass and bluegills all over the foothill lakes of the Bay Area.  Did not get to finish College cause education got in the way of fishing (kids - don't do this!).
2001 was the year of discovering the fishing kayak!  Sold the float tube and got a kayak = the "Madness" got worse.  Got involved with the online fishing community in the Bay Area and hooked up with a great group of local kayak anglers.  Built a relationship with the community and helped form "Nor Cal Kayak Anglers"; otherwise known as NCKA.org.... and the madness continues...

Mission: To spread the love and camaraderie of kayak fishing.
First fish caught off the kayak - King Fish out off Santa Cruz, Northern California.
Biggest fish caught off the kayak - 27 pound King Salmon off Moss Landing, Northern California.
Dream catch - A King Salmon over 30 pounds.
Other hobbies besides kayak fishing - doubles beach volleyball - snow boarding - mountain biking - back packing - consuming large amounts of Sushi.

Location - Half Moon Bay, Northern California
Message to newbies - "WELCOME TO THE MADNESS"

Congratulations Joel -Angler of the Year- 2006 - Nor Cal Kayak Anglers!

Keith Martin - "Cucamonga Keith" - California
Digging through a box of old family photos I found a snapshot  dated May 1959 of me as a young boy fly fishing in Florida.  As I sat there looking it over, it dawned on me that although we live in a world where everything seems to have changed (including fishing), some things remain the same. The adventure, anticipation and sheer fun of going fishing is timeless.

I think of kayak fishing in pretty much the same way; it's old and  new at the same time. A local guy termed it modern-primitive fishing and I guess that describes it pretty well.  There's something special about it that defies definition so I won't bore you with the attempt here.
See you on the water
Keith Martin

Keith - Business World - Intramedia is an Emmy award winning film, video and digital media production company founded in 1993. The company also provides NTSC and HD video production crew and equipment services for other production companies located  outside southern California and the U.S.: Video Crew Southern California.  Intramedia hosts and maintains www.fishingkayaks.net as a service to the kayak fishing community.

Steve Mullins - "Crazy Yak" - Texas

Black Drum - Caught and Released
Location: Houston, Texas
Areas Fished: Upper Texas Coast (High Island to Port Aransas)
Species Targeted: Offshore (Sharks, Bull Reds, Jack Crevalle, Kingfish and Tarpon); Bays (Redfish and Speckled Trout).
Kayak: Wilderness Systems Ride 135 and Tarpon 140
Accessories: Adventure Technology, Werner, Seairsport, Scotty, Eagle Electronics, Extrasport
Tackle: Penn, Shimano, Allstar and Okuma Rods
Why Kayak Fishing? Simply put - being part of the action both above and below the water. There is nothing better than setting out before sunrise knowing a great day on the water is ahead of you. Kayaking offers a means to become involved in the excitement of sport fishing at sea level. Whether stalking fish in the Bay or chasing after Sharks and other pelagics offshore, kayaking is a way to experience the outdoors from a totally different perspective.
For more information regarding kayak fishing in Texas, visit: Texaskayakfisherman.com

Chris LeMessurier - Michigan

14 lb King Salmon from Lake Michigan
Location: Berkley, Michigan
Being born and raised in Michigan, I've spent many days chasing fish on the Great Lakes. My kayak has allowed me to reel in tasty Walleye, sight-fish for Smallmouth Bass, troll for Northern Pike as beachball sized chunks of ice float down the river, and get towed by King Salmon faster than you could paddle. The experience of being part of the water is truly unmatched by any other form of fishing.

Philip Ruckart - North Carolina

Also known as "Yak4Fish" on all of the kayak fishing forums is a Heritage Endorsed Kayak Fishing Guide, a member of St. Croix Rods Pro Staff, Quantum Fishing VIF Staff and offers fresh and saltwater trips through the largest paddle-sport shop in North Carolina - Get-Outdoors, Greensboro, N.C.

Philip has been an avid fisherman for over 35 years and has been paddling for nearly 20 years. He's always loved to be around the water and fish. Aside from fishing out of a canoe, his initial pursuit of kayak-fishing came using a white-water kayak in the early '90's. Needless to say, this was less than optimal, so he moved onto sit-inside kayaks. While this proved a better method of merging the two passions, it wasn't until the development of sit-on-top kayaks that he passion, or obsession, really took off. Philip was the winner of the 2006 Cape Fear Kayaks fishing tournament series conducted in Wilmington, N.C. Though he still fishing the occasional tournament, his greater interest is in promoting the sport and enjoyment of the outdoors through clinics and demos.

Philip's perspective on guide fishing might be somewhat unique, in that his purpose is to provide the best on the water experience possible, not necessarily catching the biggest or most fish. Granted big fish are fun, "but if you're not enjoying the whole experience, you're missing the point", in his opinion. Paddle-fishing locations locally are the rivers and lakes of the Piedmont as well as the coastal waters surrounding Beaufort and Swansboro North Carolina. Basically, if it has fins and swims, it's on the catch list.

As you interact with the environment, be it paddling, fishing, hunting, hiking or camping, you're inclined to reflect on your stewardship of the resources you utilize and he encourages you to consider what you can do to protect and preserve them for future generations. Philip resides in Mebane, North Carolina with his wife and three sons, his "tackle snatchers", who have all been bitten by the fishing bug.

Check out Philip's Website: Yak4Fish

Erick Bell

Location - North Carolina

Erick is a 12 year kayak fishing veteran and has been affiliated with Hook 1 through his sponsorship as part of his kayak fishing team for the past 5 years. He originally started the team to fish in the Extreme Edge Kayak Tournament Series. The original team, Team eAngler placed in the Top 3 in several events, took home 2nd place in three events and finished 1st in one event. The original three members, (Erick, Todd Llewellyn and Mark Michael) have finished in various events across the country both as a team and individuals. Todd and Erick won the Florida Sportsman Super Lure Tournament as the only kayak anglers competing against a field of 29 other teams in power boats. The first time in that particular event and winning in a respectable fashion by weighing in two redfish that bested the field by almost 3 lbs. Erick is also a past 1st place winner in the redfish division of the Osprey Bay Kayak Tournament. He also competes in other tournaments, including the world renowned Jacksonville Kayak Classic, where he has never won, but for the past few years has had the privilege and honor of being one of the judges.

His current team is now Team Wildy, part of the Confluence fishing family with Wilderness Systems and AT Paddles. He continues his affiliation with Hook 1 in that capacity, along with using rods and reels from Quantum. The team competes mainly in individual events today, as well as taking part in other kayak fishing related events. He is also active in several online kayak fishing communities posting either under his real name Erick, or as erayyak.

Erick is best known for "The OLC" or "The One Lure Challenge". A kayak fishing tournament series that he started 5 years ago on a whim to see what gold spoon caught more fish. The single event turned into an annual 4 event series that offered kayak anglers the opportunity to participate in a fun, yet competitive challenge. Each angler is only allowed to fish with the lure chosen for that particular event within certain boundaries, therefore eliminating many of the advantages someone may have by using their favorite lure, or fishing their favorite fishing hole. Hook 1 has been a loyal sponsor of that event from the very beginning.

After leaving Florida, "friends" from the kayak fishing community at www.paddle-fishing.com held the first "Erick Bell Memorial Tournament" as part of their PFTS (Paddle Fishing Tournament Series). Although, still much alive, it follows a similar formal to the OLC series he started down in Florida. He looks forward to that hopefully being an annual event, because it is a pretty good reason to go back each year for a great time with good friends and to fish in a tournament. Plus, he wants to make sure everyone knows he has only moved and still has a passion for kayak fishing.

Todd Llewellyn

Location - Florida

Todd's Bio will be coming soon...

Sonny Carig - "Islander Express"

My name is Sonny Carig a.k.a Islanderexpress. I have been kayak fishing for several years now and i find it very relaxing.I am very passionate in the sport of kayak fishing. I love being so close on the water and having full control of my own boat. My goal is to share the passion Ii have for the sport to every newbie I can help. I love sharing ideas and stories to my comrades. My fishing background is mostly Saltwater, I am a Saltwater Bass Fisherman, often targeting Spotted Bay Bass, Sand Bass and Calico Bass. My favorite playground to fish is Mission Bay and San Diego Bay. The camaraderie in this sport is the best.

Visit www.KayakFishingAddicts.com - home of Team Tarpon

Mike Boehmke - "Margarita Mike"

Like many others, I started fishing from shore and piers. Then came my surfing days on a long V-block balsa board.
Many days waiting for that next perfect ride, I would look down at many fish swimming beneath me. Soon I was fishing from that old balsa board. I had a lot of fun and it was the best of both worlds.
This was in the late 50's and early 60's, I know, many of you are saying WHAT??? Yep its true, some of us have made it this far.

Well the Army called and marriage followed with 3 girls thrown' in to boot.
So now we are into the 80's and Kayaking hit me. First just paddling and than some ocean and bay races. Fun stuff but, fishing had a hold on me again and its more fun now than ever before in my life.

Bass fishing is what I find most interesting to me with a few Yellowtail trips thrown in to change it up some.
That's the beauty of kayaking. You have lakes, rivers, bays and of course the ocean for us to use a enjoy.

Tight lines to all

Margarita Mike

Bill Sikora - aka "SnookOne"

Bill Sikora lives in South Florida and is known on many kayak forums as "SnookOne". He is a member of the KayakBassFishing.com Pro Staff, Irish Water Dogs Pro Tournament Fishing Team, and the co-Founder of the Florida Bass Paddlers. Bill has been an avid fisherman for over 20 years and has been paddling for nearly 5 years. He always enjoys fishing various tournaments throughout the state of Florida, but his primary goal has become promoting the sport of freshwater kayak fishing. He was born and raised in New Jersey, but relocated to Florida in 2001 with his wife and daughter. It was there that he learned the sport of inshore fishing and was soon introduced to kayak fishing ... the addiction was born!
Although inshore fishing still is exciting to him, his passion is still Bass Fishing. He caught his first Bass at the age of 13, and has enjoyed fishing for them ever since. His new club, Florida Bass Paddlers, focuses on, not only kayak fishing for Bass, but promoting the sport of kayak fishing and fellowship through angling.
You can check out his website at www.FloridaBassPaddlers.com

David Turnbull - aka "ReelShallow"

My name is David Turnbull. I have been fishing the Texas Coast longer than I can remember. I started my fishing in the Galveston Bay complex. Stalking Redfish and Trout in the shallows looking for that next tug at my line, that's what keeps me going. I prefer wade and kayak fishing. It's the best way I have learned the bay system that I have fished. Winter Trout fishing is some of my favorite fishing to do. I'm a fisherman for life and love to share what I know with those just getting into it.
To actually take people out fishing and watching them catch their first top water fish, is almost as exciting to me as actually catching the fish myself.
You can check out my blog at Reel Shallow Fishing