The second season of the YakOff Awards is here, and it’s time to vote on who has the best kayak fishing rig and crown the YakOff II Champion. We caught up with Crystal Borkes, one of this week’s anglers, to learn more about her and some of her thoughts on the sport.
Q: Where do you call your home waters, and what do you find special about them?
Being an exclusively salt water kayak angler my home waters are in the salt around Vancouver Island, Canada. I feel the most at home battling the wind and swells off the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Q: Do you have a most memorable catch?
My most memorable catch would have to be my first Chinook (king) salmon, fishing on the west coast. The fight lasted fifteen minutes and we covered over a mile of water. It was exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time! Definitely a fish I’ll never forget!
Q: Is there one piece of gear you think is make or break?
One piece of gear that I’ve found to be make or break especially when salt water fishing is the kayak’s rudder. Being able to have control of the kayak in wind, swells and current is a must for me especially when fighting fish. My upgraded Pacific Yak Angler Aluminum Rudder has given me all the control I need to fight conditions and also the fish!
Q: What piece of gear do you think is overrated?
For me the most overrated piece of gear that I’ve used is definitely a kayak crate. When I had a crate in the back of my kayak I found myself bringing way more gear and tackle than would ever be needed for a day of fishing, adding more weight and taking up room in my tank well that could be used for more fish!
Q: What’s your unpopular kayak fishing opinion?
My unpopular kayak fishing opinion is once you start adding motors to your kayak you might as well buy a boat!
Feature Image: Crystal Borkes
Wait until you get older! You’ll come to appreciate covering more water, exploring new areas, and not being worn out when you get back in. I’ve been in the sport for 25 years and in the beginning, had that same mentality. Years ago, lmost died in NY (pre-fishing Jamaica Bay) when I got caught in rapidly changing weather. Turned a two mile paddle into a 4 hour ordeal. A motor would have been a huge help. To each their own!