Kayak Kevin Whitley

By the time you read this, kayak fishing legend “Kayak” Kevin Whitley has probably already headed off on his six-month adventure. Called Kayak Kevin’s 2017 Trident Fishing Tour, sponsored by Ocean Kayak and YakAttack, in March he’ll launch from the Florida Keys and paddle the Intracoastal Waterway north to the Chesapeake Bay. All the while he’ll fish as much as he can. And the cool part is you can share in his adventure via his live daily updates through his Facebook page. Whitley also plans to release YouTube videos in the fall of 2017 at the conclusion of the trip. “Kayak” Kevin is no stranger to long-distance paddle treks. His first was nearly 15 years ago, a 500-miler from north Florida to his home in Norfolk. Two years after that he paddled 1800 miles solo from Pensacola to Norfolk. He’s also toured the Chesapeake. As impressive as those paddles are, it is his fishing prowess that’s made him one of the sport’s most influential figures. He’s probably caught more big fish from the kayak than almost anyone, certainly on the Bay. In 2006 he became the first-ever ’yak angler to earn the coveted Virginia Saltwater Expert Angler Award, an honor earned by fishermen who register six different species of trophy fish in a single year. He repeated that impressive feat in 2007. By 2011, he became the first-ever kayak fisherman to achieve Virginia Saltwater Master Angler status—25 trophy citations in five different species—a truly remarkable achievement for any angler.

PropTalk: Talking about your upcoming trip in a recent press release, you said, “I’m anxious to see how the techniques I’ve developed in the Chesapeake Bay translate to different waters.” Can you expand on that a bit?

Kayak Kevin: On my first tours of Georgia and South Carolina back in 2003 and in 2005, I hardly came out of the ICW because I was inexperienced with shoals and breakers. That was something to be avoided. Since that time, I have learned to navigate shoals and breakers by fishing for big reds (drum) on the Eastern Shore. Also, I’m 10 years better as a fisherman than I was last time I was in Florida waters.

You have been described as the Zen master of kayak fishing, especially for big red drum. What draws you to them?

I think at first it was because they are accessible by kayak and (can) sight fish for them. But once I started to watch them, I began to really learn about them. Then when I was part of the tagging program, I learned more and became completely impressed by them. I (began to) dedicate my fishing life to them (after) I was exposed to them personally. They are the master fish of the Bay—smart, calculating, fearless, aggressively strong, and independently capable on their own or (among) a wall of gold.

You were the first ’yak angler awarded Virginia’s prestigious Master Angler Award. How hard was that to achieve?

The expert angler award is way tougher. There is a time limit: one year to catch six trophy species. The master just takes time to accumulate 25 trophies without a time limit.

You’ve blazed a trail for serious ’yak anglers by creating new techniques and fishing unknown areas. Yet you’re generous with the information that you share via your popular DVD series.

The DVDs were basically so I wouldn’t have to become a guide (laughs). I guided for a year and it was tough with the weather conditions here. I knew I had acquired a lot of knowledge that could help folks safely and effectively fish my area. I also knew that was worth something, so instead of charging for a trip, I could put my knowledge on a DVD to sell; plus I have enough of an artistic sense to make it entertaining.

For beginning and intermediate kayak anglers, what are the most important things they need to know about fighting big fish in open water?

Work your way up. Target small fish first—20 inchers, then 30s—and then target the 40s. You’ll be over your skill level trying to jump past the steps. You won’t learn anything and you might unintentionally harm a big fish.

Paddling long distances and fighting big fish can be physically demanding. How do you stay fit?

Yes it is, and as I get older (I’m now 46) my fitness is what is keeping me in the water. I break my year into prime seasons: spring red drum run and fall red run. I want to be at my best, in top physical form. First thing is a take-off from January to March, completely off the water, and mentally I drop all the running information: tides, moon phase, winds and water temps. So it’s a complete break. When I come back, I get my yoga practices up to three to four classes a week. I also separately work out my shoulders and arms with light weights, and work my legs by kicking a punching bag. In March I start paddling. By April I’m ready to paddle 20 miles a day and lift 50-pound reds for pictures. I peak out in May and come back down to a normal pace in June. In the summer I get to a yoga class at least once a week. I do a morning 20-minute yoga flow/stretch and meditation every day during all seasons. On those days I don’t paddle or go to a yoga class, I do my arm and leg work. I’m naturally in peak condition again by the time the fall reds start to happen in September. That is a tough season because on the right days I do two-a-days. I target the tide turnarounds, so I’ll go out two or three times a day just for those few hours. Just launching and loading that kayak is a workout.

I’ve heard you’re a disciple of hardcore/punk rock: So is it Ramones or Motorhead?

Out of those two it would be Motorhead, but Slayer is always the answer! (He laughs.) by Captain Chris D. Dollar