PHOTO: STEVE GIBSON


PHOTO: CORY ROUTH


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PHOTO: COURTESY CHRYSTAL MURRAY


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LONG-DISTANCE KAYAK FISHERMAN Mention kayak fishing in Virginia and one name comes to mind, and that name is Kayak Kevin Whitley. In the last few years this Norfolk native has made several accomplishments in the sport of kayaking and fishing. In 2003 Whitley made a 500-mile paddle along the Intracoastal Waterway


KEVIN WHITLEY


from the Georgia/Florida Border back to his home in Norfolk, Virginia. In 2004 Whitley paddled from Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, to Ocean City, Maryland. This trip included an open water crossing of the Chesapeake Bay. In 2005 Whitley made an epic 1,800-mile paddle that started in Pensacola, Florida, and ended in his home town of Norfolk, Virginia. On all three trips Whitley camped, and fished, along the way. Whitley has also made quite a name for himself in the angling community.


In 2006 he was named the first angler to get citations for six different species. He was the first kayak angler awarded the status of Expert Angler by the Virginia Saltwater Tournament. His citations included catches for tautog, sheepshead, flounder, red drum, spotted trout and spot. In 2007 he again caught six citation fish which included striped bass, croaker, sheepshead, spotted trout, black drum and red drum. Again he was awarded the status of expert angler. Whitley’s biggest fish include a 52- pound striped bass and a 48-inch black drum. In 2009 Whitley plans on his biggest paddle yet, starting in Brownsville,


Texas, covering the entire Gulf Coast, and retracing his path around Florida back to Norfolk. —Cory Routh


FLORIDA’S FIRST LADY OF KAYAK FISHING “I love fishing for tarpon,” beams Chrystal Murray. “Anywhere there are tarpon, or a hint of tarpon, or rumor of tarpon, any size, it doesn’t matter.” Beneath the floppy fishing hat and long blonde hair you can see the glint in her eyes, which can only mean one thing—genuine tarpon fever. Most people are surprised when they learn


CHRYSTAL MURRAY


that this friendly, approachable woman with the golden tresses and surf culture attitude routinely


There is no shortage of fishing guides in west central Florida. But here in the fishing capital of the world, a few guides stand above the crowd by standing on their ethics. For these guides, catching fish can sometimes be secondary. It’s about the process, the stewardship of the resource, the paddle fishing journey. Neil Taylor is one such guide. A graduate of the University of Arizona (finance and accounting), Taylor is


> > TAYLOR NEIL


PLAYING BY THE RULES


on the Board of Directors for the Pinellas Coastal Conservation Association and an active supporter of Tampa Bay Watch. Taylor has caught his own share of fish and moved on. His prime focus


these days is to teach his clients to catch fish, both during the charter and for years to come. Don’t bring your GPS to mark locations, but do bring your mind, and be willing to fill it with knowledge. Taylor knows that perspective on the big picture will serve you much better than a collection of good waypoints. In a former life, Taylor was a pro baseball umpire. His hardball skills allow


him to take charge of a charter and not only be a guide to the fish, but also an educator and a mentor—the clients never know they’re being schooled. Taylor always has a story to tell, and he’s a sports fan. Fishing doesn’t always equate directly to catching, so there’s plenty of material to get you through the slack tides. Neil Taylor’s business card doesn’t say “Captain” because fossil fueled


charters aren’t part of his offering. Neil Taylor is paddle fishing guide, period. He spends every day on the water, fishing, from a kayak—living the philosophy of doing one thing and doing it well. —Jerry White


catches tarpon and sharks from a kayak, but for Murray, this has become a lifestyle rather than an occasional adventure. She started kayak fishing almost 17 years ago


and has not only witnessed both the birth and explosion of the sport, but has also contributed greatly to its development. As one of the first members of the Ocean Kayak Pro Staff, Murray has had a lot of influence in the sport of kayak fishing through her clinics and seminars for both anglers and kayak outfitters alike. She has also been an advisor in design of some of the hottest fishing kayaks on the market, including several models designed specifically for women anglers.


Because of her knowledge of and enthusiasm


for the sport, Murray is a popular speaker at fishing clubs and outdoor shows around Florida, but she has found a special place as both a teacher and spokesperson for women wanting to get involved with kayak fishing. Her advice for aspiring lady kayak anglers: “Learn to tie a couple of good knots for line to leader and leader to lure and stick with them.” Don’t be surprised if you one day read that a


woman has caught a 200-pound tarpon out of a kayak. Even if it doesn’t turn out to be Chrystal Murray, it will most likely be someone she has inspired. —Capt. Greg Bowdish


32… KAYAK ANGLER spring 2008


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