In Today’s Newsletter: A terrifying shark encounter in Hawaii, rising kayak manufacturing costs and the best beginner fishing rods for 2026. Today’s stories cover the wild side of kayak fishing, the gear to get started and a fresh perspective on why not every catch needs a tape measure.
Tiger Shark Attacks Couple On Fishing Kayak In Hawaii
Cheslei Akima and Alika Dickerson share the wildest experience of their lives
On May 23, Cheslei Akima and Alika Dickerson were pedalling their tandem fishing kayak in the waters off the coast of West Maui, Hawaii. They were headed offshore to do some kayak fishing, like they spend many of their weekends doing together. It was a beautiful day, with clear skies, warm temperatures and calm water. But while they were still on their way out, before they’d even had a chance to catch bait, something happened that neither of them ever expected.
Akima, who was sitting in front of Dickerson, saw a fin rise out of the water in front of them, and the next thing they knew, a tiger shark was latched onto the side of their kayak.
The shark was right beside Akima. “His fin was sticking out of the water and his head, you could see it clear as day,” she retells. “He was just shaking us. We thought we were going to flip.”
“We see sharks, but usually it’s no big deal,” she says. “They just come up, check us out, and then leave us alone. But this one, it’s crazy because it just popped up and started coming at us.”
Dickerson, who hadn’t even seen the shark coming, sprang into action. He punched it once on the nose and twice on the head. After the third punch, it let go and slipped back under the water…
Best Beginner Fishing Rods For 2026
Starting out in the sport is expensive, and saving money on your fishing rod is tempting, but choosing a rod is one of the most important decisions an angler makes. Here are some of our favorites.
Best Fishing Rod for Beginners Overall
Shimano Clarus Spinning
Why I love it: Here’s the conundrum: a beginner rod must be both inexpensive and high quality. A high-quality spinning rod matched with a quality spinning reel makes fishing more enjoyable and produces more catches. But quality usually costs more money and a new angler may not be willing to drop a ton of dough on a new hobby. Enter Shimano’s Clarus Spinning rod…
Best Budget Beginner Fishing Rod
Ugly Stik GX2
Why I love it: No fishing rod is responsible for introducing more people to fishing than the Ugly Stik. With the iconic yellow and red accents and clear-fiberglass tip, Ugly Stik wins over anglers with their unbreakable reputation. The new Ugly Stik GX2 continues the legacy with improved performance and modern looks.
Kayak Manufacturing Costs Spike As Strait Of Hormuz Remains Closed
Some costs have surged 35 percent as a result of the blockade.
Why I Don’t Measure The Fish I Release
There’s nothing wrong with measuring a true trophy, but we see anglers measuring and photographing every fish they catch. What’s the point?
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