When I got started kayak fishing a little over a decade ago there were people who had been involved in the sport for many years before me. These were the pioneers of the sport. Jeff was one of them and is one of the first people I became aware of. I remember reading his posts and seeing pictures of him with yellowtail, white sea bass, mako and thresher sharks. In the early days of kayak fishing there weren’t specialized accessories, a wide array of kayak choices or much information. Outfitting the recreational kayaks that were in use then was an adventure and tracking down parts required that you be a detective.  Jeff created one of the earliest and most useful accessories called the Rhynobar. It was an accessory bar that made the early models (Ok Scrambler, Malibu, and Scuppers; Cobra Fish ‘n Dive, Tourer and Explorer) favored by kayak anglers more user friendly by providing a place to mount fish finders, rod holders and other items in the cockpit of the kayak. Jeff has done some guiding and occasionally guides with East Cape Kayak Fishing. He’s also done some consulting with OK.

1) When and where did you start fishing?

I started fishing at a very early age growing up in Hawaii on Oahu and family vacations in Kona. My first picture of me and a Wrasse on a cane pole, age 3.

2) When did you first learn about kayak fishing and when did you start?

Also at a young age 8 or 9, in Kona on the family all fiberglass kayaks by Ocean Kayak.

3) When I got started kayak fishing you are one of the first people I became aware of in the sport.  You had the Rhynobar, are you doing anything in the sport presently from a business standpoint? (Jeff are you one of the guides for East Cape?)

Rhynobar is on the way out, as many of the kayak manufactures are designing turn key

fishing yaks now. When I invented the Rhynobar the manufactures had no idea we were going to use their paddle craft to fish off of. I am taking a hiatus from guiding at this time for family reasons, but will occasionally guide in the East Cape or other locations if time, and family allow.

4) What types of kayak fishing do you do and what are your favorites?

Primarily saltwater fishing in Southern California, Malibu, Ventura, Santa Barbara, La Jolla, Dana Point and our offshore islands, etc. I also will venture into the fresh water of Mammoth Lakes and other locals.  My favorite is the salt for big game!

5) What kayak(s) did you start with and what are you using now?

I have always used Ocean Kayaks. I started on a Scrambler XT, Malibu2, and now a Prowler Trident 15. I had a small hand in consulting in the design of the Prowler kayaks.

6) What are some of your most memorable kayak fishing experiences?  I know you’ve got to have some very interesting experiences both off of California and Baja.

Most memorable kayak experiences are my 50 pound Halibut, 52 pound White Seabass. 200 plus poundThresher Shark.  Traveling with Jim, Mark, and Matt to the East Cape and catching my first Yak Marlin, also capturing Marks first Marlin on film in the Inside Sport Fishing Video “No Bad Days”.  The making of the Telly award winning Inside Sport Fishing video, “Threshers Yak Style”, to name a few.

7) What is your preferred fishing tackle?

My preferred tackle is a good conventional reel on a 7’-8’ rod, to match my target species.