I became acquainted with Sharon when we became friends on Face Book.  We had a bunch of mutual friends and anyone who has a profile picture sitting in a kayak holding up a fish is someone I want to be friends with.  Also I want to see more women in the sport so any time I can meet a woman who kayak fishes I’ve got to get to know her.  Sharon and I had a great chat on the phone for over an hour.  I wish I had met her before my recent Florida trip as she lives near where I did a lot of fishing.  Sharon hails from the area near Bradenton.  It’s opposite St. Petersburg on Tampa Bay but I think it might be Higgins Bay over there.

1) When did you start fishing and where?

I first started fishing at a very young age with my dad in Massachusetts.  I fished in fresh water lakes and ponds and predominantly did ice fishing.

2) When did you first learn about kayak fishing and how did you get started?

I started kayak fishing about 10 years ago.  My boyfriend, Mark Bellotte aka CooknFish not only got me started paddle fishing but he also got me to fish exclusively with lures.

3) What was the first kayak you fished from? 

The first kayak I fished from was an 8ft ocean kayak yak board.

4) What is your favorite type of fishing from a kayak?

My favorite is fishing the flats for redfish.

5) What kayak(s) do you use now and what kinds of fishing gear do you use and prefer using?

I currently fish from a Hurricane Phoenix 120.  My favorite rig is a GLoomis GL2 7ft rod with a Wright & McGill Sabalos reel.

6) What is your most memorable(s) kayak fishing experience?

There have been SO many it’s hard to choose but I guess one of the moments that I will never forget was winning one of the Extreme Edge Fishing Tournaments.  I won a new kayak and cash for largest redfish.

7) That’s great winning that tournament.  Great haul, a kayak and cash.  So you participate in tournaments.  What’s your feeling about separate women’s divisions?

I don’t feel that there is a need for separate divisions.  Fishing doesn’t require muscle, just knowledge, skill and a little luck.  I won’t turn down a win in a ladies division but separating them is like saying that women are not as good at the sport as men are and that’s simply not true!