Women on the Water: Virginia Salvador
What’s your name, where are you from, what do you do for a living, and where do you currently live?
My name is Captain Virginia Salvador and I’m from the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California. I am co-captain of Gatecrasher Fishing Adventures and our home port is on Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco and Pittsburg, CA. I’m also a scientist and work in a Medical Laboratory.
How long have you been on the Old Town Pro Staff?
I believe it’s been about 3 years since I’ve been with the OldTown Family.
How did you get into kayak fishing, and how long have you been doing it?
I was first introduced to kayak fishing through friends and I’ve been doing it now since 2016.
What is your favorite thing about kayak fishing?
My favorite part about kayak fishing is the intimate experience you get on the water and peace it brings your soul.
What is your favorite species to target, and why?
My favorite species to target on my yak is small mouth bass, trout and white sturgeon.
Tell us a little about your life as a Charter Captain, and how that helps you as a kayak angler.
Everything I’ve learned as a charter captain can all be applied to kayak fishing. It’s imperative to understand tide and contours as a kayak angler and it’s definitely helped me evolve much quicker.
What is your kayak of choice and how have you customized it?
My kayak of choice is a Sportsman’s BigWater PDL 132. I absolutely love my kayak and the first thing I do is install additional rod holders. I also built a cart with rod holders on it from RodRunner. Then I added a quick release anchor system and Go Pro attachments. I also highly recommend using Never Lost Leashes for all your tools and detachable gear. This way if your kayak ever did flip, all your tools are attached.
What is one place you haven’t fished that’s on your bucket list?
Central South America for Golden Dorado.
If you could give any advice to someone who is starting to kayak fish, what would it be?
Kayak fishing is a labor of love that is so rewarding. Don’t be intimidated to try a new fishery. Pay close attention to weather and tides, it’s so important to stay informed in order to stay safe.
What’s one goal or accomplishment you would like to achieve in 2021?
My goal for 2021 is to catch a white sturgeon and King Salmon from my yak.
What do you think is special and unique about who you are and how you fish?
I think something that is pretty unique about me is that I’m strictly catch and release for white sturgeon. We are so passionate about it that we created a charter business around it. I believe that is our duty to educate future anglers of the importance of conservation. I’m also one of the few female charter captains that work on the iconic front row Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.
Do you have any advice for women looking to get into kayak fishing?
Do it! Just do it! The freedom you get from doing it all on your own is so rewarding. I’m so fortunate that kayak fishing has been such an influential part of my life and I love taking my sons along for the ride.