Exclusive Interview with Greg Blanchard

Q&A with Greg Blanchard

Why did you fall in love with kayak fishing?

I first fell in love with kayak fishing because of its simplicity and convenience. I grew up fishing from the bank, and this was the perfect way for me to get on the water and explore new places.

What's your most memorable catch and what made that moment unforgettable?

This is tough to answer because so many moments come to mind, and I still think the most memorable one is yet to happen. But for now, it would have to be catching my personal best bass. It was in 2019 on the California Delta during a tournament. I was having a terrible day—I couldn't put anything together and felt like I had blown my chance on a body of water I usually feel confident on. Then this fish came along while I was punching hyacinth. I was feeling pretty down, but that bite gave me the confidence I needed. It came in at 8 lbs 11 oz and measured 24.5 inches. That fish turned my whole day around, and I ended up winning the tournament.

If you could only fish one body of water for the rest of your life, where would it be and why? What makes the fishery special for kayak anglers?

This is another tough question, but if I had to pick, it'd be the California Delta. It's massive, and even after fishing it for about nine years, I haven't come close to covering all its waterways. It's often called “the jungle” because you feel totally immersed in nature—you see everything from sea lions to river otters. The fishing style fits what I love: fast, shallow, with big fish lurking around. You can punch a big weight in the grass or throw topwater year-round, and any cast could land the fish of a lifetime.

What is your current kayak and what do you love about it?

My current fishing kayak is the Native Watercraft TitanX 12.5. I love it because it's basically my dream kayak. It's built for customization, and I've rigged it to the max with a motor, graph, plenty of storage, and every convenience I could want. When I'm on the water, I feel comfortable, stable, and fully equipped to catch fish any day. I also use the Native Watercraft Slayer Max 10 and TitanX 10.5. They're similar to the TitanX 12.5 in terms of customization, but I've outfitted them to be lighter for days when I just want to grab a YakAttack BlackPak, a few rods, and hit the water. I guess I'm spoiled now, having options for any situation.

What's one mistake you see anglers make all the time—and how can they fix it?

This isn't necessarily a mistake, but something I notice often is poor boat positioning. It applies to kayak anglers, even experienced ones. Good positioning and maneuverability are huge for making the right cast, finding the best angles, and staying efficient. For example, I see people drifting over productive water they could have fished. I love Native Watercraft kayaks because the Propel Drive with instant reverse and rudder-controlled steering allows me to turn on a dime and hold position, even in current or wind. With motors and foot-controlled steering, it's even easier to fish hands-free and stay in the perfect spot.

What's your go-to bait when the bite is tough, no matter where you're fishing?

That's an easy one: a drop shot rig. I love it even when the bite is good! But if the bite is tough, 99% of the time I'm going with a finesse drop shot rig, typically with a Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm. If that doesn't get bit, it might be time to pack it up and try again another day.

You've had some epic kayak fishing adventures—what's the wildest thing that's happened to you on the water?

I'm 99% a freshwater bass angler, but living in Northern California, I'm just a couple of hours from amazing saltwater fishing on the Pacific coast. A few years ago, I was out with some buddies fishing for lingcod just before Christmas. We saw a bunch of sea lions fleeing toward the rocks. A short while later, a great white shark swam right under my kayak. My heart dropped to the bottom of my stomach. I can't make this up—I even have it all on video! I probably won't be heading back to the ocean anytime soon.

Your YouTube channel has an incredible following. What inspired you to start sharing your fishing journey, and did you ever expect it to grow the way it has?

I've always had a fascination with recording my fishing. I even have footage from high school and college on old smartphones of me fishing the banks in upstate New York. When I got my first kayak in 2012, GoPros were becoming popular, and so was YouTube. It started as just a fun hobby—recording trips, editing them, and posting online for friends and family. I really enjoyed it and never stopped. Now, over 10 years later, with an amazing community built through YouTube and social media, I never expected it to grow like this. I think it was a lot of “right place, right time.” I got into kayak fishing as it was gaining popularity, and tournaments were starting to pop up nationwide. Being one of the few people sharing content early on played a key role.

For someone thinking about getting into kayak fishing, what's the one thing they should know before they hit the water?

The one thing they should know is that once you get out on the water with a fishing kayak, you'll be hooked forever. Seriously. One misconception, especially with larger kayaks, is people asking, “Why not just get a boat?” My answer? Because I want a kayak! If I had to choose between a kayak and a bass boat, I'd pick the kayak every time. It's an awesome way to be in a smaller, personal craft that's totally unique to you and perfect for doing what you love.

What should someone wanting to get into kayak fishing look for in a kayak? What's a great starter kayak?

I always tell folks to start smaller and build from there. I'd recommend the Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10 LTE or the Slayer Max 10. They're lightweight but packed with features, allowing you to outfit them with motors, graphs, batteries—whatever you need. As I mentioned, I have both and still use them often. Starting with a smaller kayak helps you figure out what you want in terms of size and rigging as you grow in the sport. In my opinion, these are some of the best starter fishing kayaks out there.

Rapid Fire Round:

Favorite fishing snack?

Beef jerky

Pedal, paddle, or power?

All three!

Early morning or late evening bite?

Early morning

Power fishing or finesse?

Power

Dream fishing destination?

I've been there already, but I want to go back to Caddo Lake in the worst way!