Angler of the Month - Philip Ruckart aka “Yak4Fish”

Tuesday, 01 April 2008 00:00

Philip Ruckart, also known as “Yak4Fish” on all the kayak fishing forums is a Heritage Endorsed Kayak Fishing Guide, a member of St. Croix Rods Pro Staff, Quantum Fishing VIF Staff, and a team member of the Hook 1 Kayak Fishing Crew. Philip 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-in-side kayaks.

While this proved a better method of merging the two passions it wasn’t until the development of sit-on-top kayaks that his 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 fishes 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.

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