Kayak fishing has allowed many anglers to explore remote areas and reel in fish that could not have been captured from shore or a big boat. For Curtis, he took his love of fishing to the water and has been fishing out of a kayak for over a decade. It has become an important part of his life, allowing him to decompress from a long day or week, and has helped him become a more sociable person. Without further adieu, check out our 20 questions with kayak angler, Curtis Jensen!
1. What is your name and what do you paddle?
Curtis Jensen. I pedal a 2019 Hobie Outback.
2. Where did you grow up?
Spruce Grove AB
3. How long have you been kayak fishing and how did you get started?
I have been kayak fishing for 11 years this season. I got the fishing bug but was having trouble catching fish from shore on the NSR. I realized if I got off the shore and was able to get into lakes I could catch more fish.
4. Why do you choose to fish out of a kayak?
There is nothing quite like close quarters combat with a large fish.
5. What is one thing kayak fishing has brought into your life that you would say has changed for the better?
Kayak fishing has brought people from all walks of life from all over North America that I would otherwise have little in common with and made me a slightly more social person.
6. From your perspective, has spending time outdoors and on the water helped you manage your daily challenges in life and why?
Yes, I would say kayak fishing has provided me a much needed outlet to relax and clear my head after a hard, stressful work day/week fish or no fish.
7. What would the perfect fishing kayak look like to you?
My perfect fishing kayak looks like my 2019+ Hobie outback.
The only thing I would really change is the weight of it. In my opinion you can’t beat a flipper style pedal drive and the outback is incredibly well set up from the factory also easily for customized.
8. What is the biggest fish you have reeled in from a kayak?
44” Northern Pike.
9. If you had to fish with only one lure for the rest of your life what would it be?
1/4oz Thomas Bouyant spoon in Red/Gold
10. What is your dream fishing trip?
My dream trip would be fishing for sharks off the coast of Australia.
I’d also love to go back to Los Buzos Panama.
I have some fish I didn’t catch there that I need to get revenge on.
11. Do you ice or fly fish as well?
I occasionally break out the old fly rod & I spend to much time outside in the winter working to bother with ice fishing.
12. What is the longest day of fishing from your kayak in one sitting been?
8-9 hours straight with no shore breaks.
13. Where is your favorite place to fish? Or one that isn't top secret?
I’m really starting to fall in love with the Creighton/Flin Flon area.
14. What is your craziest on water experience or thing you have seen while paddling?
While fishing in Cypress Hills PP I saw something odd move under a tree along the shore line. I was able to get a series of photos of a cougar as it emerged from the tree line and walked along a shoreline path.
15. Do you recreationally kayak, SUP, Canoe or whitewater kayak as well?
I do not.
16. Do you or are you involved in and community programs on or off the water?
I am not
17. What is the best advice you would give someone who wants to get into kayak fishing?
Just do it...
You don’t have to spend much to give it and try and most people figure out very quickly if it’s something they will enjoy or not.
18. Over the past few years how have you seen the rivers or lakes change, and what are you doing to try and protect it from an environmental standpoint?
Since COVID, I’m seeing crowds of people at places that in the past you often had to yourself.
I always try to pick up trash from boat launches and where I park.
19. Could you describe the feeling you get when you are on the water?
I get nervous still after 11yrs, every single time. I get butterflies in my stomach every time I pull up to a waterbody until I’m on the water & that first fish is in my net. I think it’s the thrill of the unknown.
20. If you could describe kayak fishing in a single word, what would that word be?
Community
Shop AQ Outdoors Fishing Kayak Collection
AQ Outdoors Contact
Edmonton: (p) 780 463-4892 (e) info@aquabaticsedmonton.com
Calgary: (p) 403 288-9283 (e) info@aqoutdoors.com
