AllOutdoor Interview: Wendy Biles – Competitive Kayak Angler
Megan Plete Postol 01.09.24
Wendy Biles is a professional kayak bass angler, a YakAttack and Old Town pro staffer, and an enthusiastic supporter of women in fishing. A dedicated angler all her life, Biles discovered kayak fishing during the pandemic, jumped right in, and hasn’t looked back. Kayak fishing has allowed her to fish new places, try new things, and have unique experiences. She currently competes in two competitive series: the Bassmaster Kayak series and the Florida Kayak Bass Trail. She’s had several top ten finishes and two Big Bass wins, one of them being a trophy 10.2 pounder, which was featured on the cover of the Florida Fishing Regulations magazine for Florida Fish & Wildlife. She’s also recently started dabbling in saltwater kayak fishing, which has become yet another side passion. Fishing keeps Biles and her family very busy. Her son, Brady Biles, is also a competitive bass angler.
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“All my life I have fished from a boat and even today we have a gorgeous bass boat that my 16-year old competes out of for the Bassmaster High School Series with my husband as his boat captain,” Biles said with a laugh. “Fishing is basically my whole life.”
While kayak fishing is something Biles picked up in the last few years, she has been wetting a line as long as she can remember. Growing up in Virginia, Biles both fished and hunted with her family. To this day, she keeps the freezer full of venison. “Growing up in Virginia fishing with my dad, I have always had a love and a connection with the outdoors,” Biles said. “Feeling the tug at the end of my fishing pole was an excitement that started when I was a little girl and is still what keeps me chasing fish today.” So while her early days of fishing were family-focused, and very much still are, nowadays her fishing network has expanded quite a bit. She has established many friendships through networking within the professional fishing world. Her favorite industry event is ICAST, which occurs every July in Orlando. Biles attends as part of her pro staff roles.
“The connections I make there blow my mind,” Biles said. “That’s where you really find out who your true, passionate brothers and sisters in fishing are. It’s a great time.”
Kayak fishing, like most other forms of fishing, is still a male-dominated sport. “I don’t mind, I am so thankful that my Dad and brother shared their love and skills of fishing with me,” Biles said. “Some of the guys I have met have helped me tremendously and are more like brothers and protectors.” But, when she stumbled upon a group called the Women’s Fishing Federation, which is led by three prominent female anglers in the industry, she was thrilled. She started attending the annual conferences and found her tribe.
We’re just like-minded women that absolutely love to be outdoors fishing,” she said. “I now serve alongside these women to encourage new lady anglers to join. It’s all about getting women on the water and that awesome camaraderie and friendship that we all love and need. Through these conferences we learn and share about safety on the water, basic fishing techniques, kayak/boat/bank fishing, but most of all, the giving and kind-spirited women that keep getting added to this group is what makes the Women’s Fishing Federation so special. We have the industry’s top companies sponsoring our events to help promote any lady who wants to go fishing and make friends without having to ask their husband, boyfriend or anyone else to show them the ropes. We enjoy empowering women to get outside and go fishing on their own as well as introduce others to this awesome pastime by inviting them to come along. The support, encouragement and generosity of this group is second-to-none.”
Biles has some pointers for women interested in getting started in kayak fishing:
- Follow/join a women’s fishing group via social media (many women/girls get inspired just from scrolling through other female angler’s channels)
- The Women’s Fishing Federation is one of several groups who holds a meet–up periodically where ladies can come completely empty-handed and learn everything from safety on the water to catching fish. The best part is the friendships that are made and the generosity and kindness that you experience at these events.
- You can fish from the bank, a kayak/canoe or a boat – so many options to wet a line. If not on the bank, you will need a good personal flotation device (PFD), a whistle, rod/reel, terminal tackle and lures.
- Safety is first. But once you know how to be safe on the water, everything else about fishing is FUN!
- There is no end to learning and growing in the sport of fishing.
- Invite a friend, take your children, go and test your skills alone. If you go alone, always tell someone where you are going before you get on the water and take your phone.
