A day on the river with a kayak master
For anglers who steer their boat so close to the current and the churning of the water, the creak of the creek bed always underfoot, searching for fish feels a little different. Jody Queen is one of those lifelong fishermen, intimately attuned to the fish and the river that runs through her backyard.
Immersed in the lifeblood of rivers for over 40 years, Queen is among those rare men of the fishing renaissance: artist, musician, observer, and above all, an intuitive fisherman who simply sees the water from another angle. When Queen finally boarded his first kayak, he was already 50 years old. But the switch from wellies to kayaking also marked the beginning of what would soon become a legendary streak of tournament victories, and an ongoing tour of America’s best bass waters, from Pennsylvania to Tennessee and Florida, and back to West Virginia’s magnificent New River, all around. again.
A Z-Man Fishing exclusive, Project Z: ProFileZ gets you on the water with the people who count on Z-Man Fishing Products every day as tournament anglers, guides, and industry professionals. Take a trip to the home waters of our ProZs to learn about their stories and how they ended up where they are today, as well as why they trust Z-Man baits day after day.
In this episode, we’ll join pioneering kayak angler Jody Queen, as he reflects on a life well lived, in and around his beloved New River, West Virginia. In between fighting smallmouth bass, Queen shares unique perspectives on the river he calls home and the life of an angling artist.
About Z-Man Fishing Products: A dynamic company based in Charleston, South Carolina, Z-Man Fishing Products has been fusing cutting-edge fishing tackle with technology for nearly three decades. Z-Man has long been one of the industry’s largest suppliers of silicone skirt material used in jigs, spinnerbaits, and other lures. Creator of the original ChatterBait®, Z-Man is also the renowned innovator of 10X Tough ElaZtech soft baits, quickly becoming the most sought after baits in freshwater and saltwater. Z-Man is one of the fastest growing lure brands in the world.