Angler of the Month – Troy Eastman

Screen Name: YakontheFly

Where I fish: Fresh and Saltwater of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, as well as annual trips to Alaska

What I target: Redfish, Sea Trout, Flounder, Spanish Mackerel, Shark, Cobia, Snook, Black Drum, Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Trout, Dolly Varden, Salmon, Lingcod and Halibut... Basically anything that bites where I am fishing...

Types of Kayak: I started with a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160, and have recently purchased a Hobie Revolution. When I fish Alaska (trips each of the past 2 summers) I have used what is available, mainly Wilderness System Ride 135's and Ocean Kayak Prowler 13's.

Best Kayak Fishing Day, 27 July 2007, Shelter Bay, Prince William Sound, Alaska. I caught 3 Lingcod to 44", over a dozen Halibut from 12-20 lbs.

Methods: I prefer fly fishing from a Kayak, but when conditions are not right, or the species is too deep or not prone to bite flies, I willingly switch to spin rods with Soft bodied swim bait/Jigs or Bait, or vertical jigging/bait with bait casters. I usually troll to and from launches, with limited success. Basically whatever is best for conditions.

Biggest Kayak Fish: A 44" Lingcod that weighed in over 33lbs in Shelter Bay, Prince William Sound, Alaska. (Read Forum Post)

Affiliations: Hobie Kayak Fishing Local Fishing Team, sponsored by Higher Ground of the Low Country, In Beaufort, SC. President (By press gang), of the Beaufort Area Redfish Flotilla (BARF) Kayak Fishing Club

BARF: Beaufort Area Redfish Flotilla is a very loosely organized group of kayak fishing aficionados. Currently we have about 14 members... We organize two gatherings/tournaments (De' Redneck Sleigh Ride Cobia and Shark Rodeo in May, and the BARF Low Country Slam Tournament and gathering in November) each year in the Beaufort area to promote the sport. In addition, we have BARF Impromptu gatherings whenever the conditions are right, where we call and arrange a time and place to go out and fish. We also have organized road trips a couple of times a year to other Kayak Fishing Gatherings and Tournaments in the region....