Bending Branches Navigator Paddle (Wood)

Name: Ricky Wolbert

Ricky is a Philadelphia native, with saltwater in his veins. As a ACA Level 1 kayak instructor, fishing guide and tournament angler, he specializes in striped bass, bluefish, weakfish (grey trout), and fluke (flounder) with both fly and conventional light tackle, along the New Jersey shore’s beaches, back bays, and rivers, not to mention he likes to chase smallmouth bass and trout in the Delaware River as well.
Rick is a Pro Staffer for Bending Branches and enjoys helping people get started in our great sport of kayak fishing safely and correctly. He is very proud to be a team member and part of The Kayak Fishing Store’s Pro Staff.

Rick’s Affiliates:

• The Kayak Fishing Store
• BrokenRod.com
• Native Watercraft – Pro Staff / Endorsed Guide
• Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) – pro staff
• Heroes On the Water, N.J Chapter – Leadership Team
• Atlantic Saltwater Flyrodders (ASWF)

Name: Jon Shein
Forum Handle: JonS
Hometown: Rockaway, NJ

Jon got involved in the sport in the late 90s. He’s been involved in many facets of the sport; retail sales, outfitting, product development, guiding, author and lecturer. He has fished from over 75 different kayak models from Alaska to Baja to the Caribbean up to New England in both fresh and salt waters for 100 species of fish. He uses all methods (spin, conventional and fly tackle).

Name: Bob Miller
Forum Handle: Mullet Miller
Hometown: Chesapeake City, MD

Bob has been involved with kayak fishing since the late 90’s. It started as an extension of his love of surf fishing while on a trip to the Downeast coast of Maine. Bob has introduced scores of anglers to his home waters on the Upper Chesapeake Bay, better known as the Susquehanna Flats, targeting primarily spawn run Striped Bass. He has fished the East Coast for many species of fish, primarily saltwater, From Maine to the Carolinas, with the bulk of his time split between Maryland and New Jersey. In recent years Bob has become a steadfast supporter of Heroes On The Water (HOW) through volunteering his time guiding Heroes and helping organize fund raising events benefiting them.

Prostaff The Kayak Fishing Store
Chairman Susquehanna Flats Kayak Fishing Jamboree
Bob_Miller@sfkfj.com

Name: Charlie Hackman
Forum Handle: Seaflea
Hometown: Deptford, NJ

Charlie started fishing out of a 9’ Pelican surf kayak and modified it for a rod holder, paddle holder, and bungee cords. He currently fishes out of a Caribbean 14 by Eddyline. It’s an incredibly stable, easy to paddle kayak light enough to make for easy-loading after a long day on the water.

Charlie has fished from the chilly waters off Salem, Massachusetts down to the tepid waters of Chokoloskee, Florida. He has found the community of kayak anglers to be one of the warmest and most open minded group of individuals. Regardless of where he is, he can ask any question and get an honest answer each time.

Charlie has attended the Jamaica Bay tournament in New York for over 5 years, the Striper Shootout hosted NEKF in Massachusetts for over 3 years, and both the Jersey Cape Kayak Fishing Jamboree and the Susquehanna Flats Jamboree for more than 2 years.

Name: Jim Reinknecht
Forum Handle: Capt Jim
Hometown: Howell, NJ

Jim has been fishing the waters of New Jersey and New York his entire life, getting his first (and only) magazine cover, the cover of the Fisherman Magazine at age 10 with a brook trout caught on the South Branch of the Raritan River in Califon, NJ. Primarily a saltwater fisherman, in 2004 he obtained his 100 ton Master Near Coastal captain’s license, and works as a professional mariner, owning 2 charter boats in Sandy Hook, a head boat in Atlantic City, and delivers yachts up and down the east coast.

Name: Andrew “Hunter” Yutko

Andrew has resided in northern New Jersey most of his life and began fishing many of the freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers in his mid-teens. Entering his 4th kayak angling season, Andrew has already logged more days on the water than most will in a decade. Primarily a freshwater kayak angler, Andrew targets Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Landlocked Salmon, and Pan Fish, although Northern Pike, Walleye and Muskie are his favorite catches.

Andrew has years of experience fishing in many places including Monksville Resevoir, Pompton Lake, Budd Lake, Cranberry Lake, and the Passaic River and its tributaries.

Andrew also works as a freshwater kayak fishing guide. If freshwater angling is your preference, he will put you on the fish. Ten or more Pike measuring 24” up to +40” are possible as well as channel Catfish, Carp, and all the species mentioned above. If you want to try for the elusive Muskie (fish of 10,000 casts), it’s a pretty safe bet Andrew can help you land the fish of a lifetime, as he continues to catch more and more Muskie each year.

Name: Charlie LaBar
Forum Handle: Lunchbox
Hometown: Wildwood, NJ/Philadelphia, PA

Charlie, ProStaff and guide for The Kayak Fishing Store, was born and raised in Cape May, NJ. Fishing has always been a passion of his; from working on party boats, charter/sport fishing boats, commercial trawlers, scallopers, and clam boats. The experience he gained in his endeavors has helped him to understand tide, moon, and fish patterns. Charlie has been an avid surf fisherman for over 35 years fishing from Montauk to the Florida Keys. In 2008 Charlie tried kayak fishing and hasn’t looked back! With help from his long-time friend Chris Parson, the pair began the forum board JerseyCapeKayakFishing.net.

Charlie has been involved with in-the-water demos, trade shows, product testing, the Cape May Kayak Fishing Jamboree, Heroes on the Water events, and the Point Pleasant Elks Fluke Tournament.

Name: Kyle Levocz
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa

Kyle, a Philadelphia native, has been fishing since the day he was born and got into the sport of kayak fishing over ten years ago. Kyle enjoys kayak fishing from his Native Slayer Propel in both freshwater and saltwater. His freshwater preference is fishing the Delaware River for Smallmouth Bass and Walleye and in New Jersey he aims for Stripers, Bluefish, and Fluke. His specialty is back bay top water Striper fishing.

Kyle’s years of fishing experience has led him to fish in many states in the U.S. as well as Canada. He has dabbled in all types of fishing outside of kayaks like fly fishing, surf casting, and trolling for salmon and trout.

Kyle has fished in various tournaments including Jamaica Bay, the Cape May Kayak Fishing Jamboree, the Susquehanna Flats Jamboree, and Kayak Wars, and also helps with different Heroes on the Water events.

Name: Chris Parson
Hometown: Cape May, NJ
Blog: Parsons’ Place

Chris has been an avid fisherman all his life having grown up in Cape May, NJ. His time on the water and knowledge of bait and feeding patterns has earned him the nickname “Fish Whisperer” among his peers. Chris is the Co-Owner of The Kayak Fishing Store and the former Editor of Kayak Fishing Magazine. During his time at the magazine, Chris contributed feature articles, equipment reviews, and oversaw advertising. This experience allowed him to gain an incredible amount of knowledge about the industry. KFM also gave Chris the opportunity to travel and to become more involved with the sport from the inside.

Chris has collaborated on several kayak products and designs. He tirelessly attends events that help drive the sport to continue its growth. Chris has a deep respect for the sport and enjoys the unique camaraderie found among kayak anglers. He fishes many charity tournaments and attends events up and down the east coast. Chris has been involved in several shows, clinics, demos, tournament committees, and programs, and is always interested in lending a hand, wherever the adventure takes him.

Chris is also a dedicated fundraiser for Heroes on the Water and hosts several events a year.