The Kayak Fishing ClassicS welcomed KanuLock aboard as a new sponsor for 2012 and did so with open arms. The long search for a quality locking strap system to secure kayaks to trailers, car tops and truck beds was finally over.
Capt. Pat found KanuLock, an Austrailian company while searching for securing straps. Upon further research ad testing an invitation to join the ClassicS was extened to KanuLock North America.
The locking straps were found to be everything that they said they are and then some. The first thing that testing showed was the obvious quality when you open the box. The straps are padded and are of a soft yet tough material so as not to scratch your kayak or vehicle.
The KanuLock system has two highly flexible, stainless steel aircraft quality cables running through the length of the strap and lock.
The KanuLock system comes in various lengths to accommodate your needs. The ClassicS uses the 13 foot version to lock down their Diablo to the truck top. "It could not be any easier to use" said Capt. Pat, National Director of Tournaments for the ClassicS. "I had tried some other locking straps and found them to be clumsy to use. I also came across straps that would damage in kayak/vehicle."
Synching down the straps and engaging the lock is a snap. Just pull it tight, which is very easy and turn the key. Now your kayak is secure and no one is going to be able to make it theirs no matter how much they admire your fishing machine.
KanuLock really protects your kayak investment from theft or just sailing off of your cartop or trailer. Next lets talk about noise.
Most securing straps make noise to some degree. KanuLock is not in the same class as 'most straps' in anyway. The staps are dead quiet even at 70 mph on the highway. Nice! You don't have to turn up the radio or try to talk over the noise. No more whoop, whoop, thupp, thupp or high shrill wind noise to contend with. Just enjoy the trip knowing all is well with KanuLock.
Angler Rescues Bird in ClassicS 
While pre-fishing for the Kayak Fishing ClassicS, Fillman Bayou Classic a bird rescue became the focus of Wes Barnett and several other contestants that he was with. An unfortunate Ibis flew into the path of a cast and became hooked in the wing, sending the young bird into the water.
Wes Barnett and several other anglers paddled to the bird and brought it to shallower water to be better managed. Wes gathered up the bird and placed a dampened T – shirt over it to calm the creature. While securely holding the Ibis one of the anglers removed the hook from the feathers of her under wing.
The bird was unharmed and after further inspection to make sure that it was alright, was released and flew away as though nothing had happened. The anglers wanted to make sure that the young bird was unharmed and would survive, so extra care was taken. It is very uncommon that a bird would fly into bait. Some diving birds have been known to get tangled up and released but for a bird to fly into it is, well as we said, it was a young bird.
The anglers, contestants in the upcoming tournament, watched the bird for some time just to make double sure as it went about wading for food in the shallow water. All was well.
Once everyone was assured that the Ibis was fine the razzing began. The razzing was of course all in good fun but a few new nicknames were developed that stuck for the day. Of course the anglers reported the incident to the tournament director, as they should and a special award was arranged to be awarded at the Awards Ceremony on the following day.
Wes is now a member in the Order of the Purple Feathered Flute Fish Society and was awarded appropriately. Actually he was awarded a very nice Guide Series waterproof box by Plano, one of the ClassicS sponsors.
The anglers are all aware of the conservation efforts by the Kayak Fishing ClassicS and are all like minded. “It comes as no surprise that they would make the efforts that they did to rescue a bird in trouble” said Captain Pat Horrigan, ClassicS TD. “It also comes at no surprise that they gave Wes a friendly hard time for the rest of the weekend and got us in on it. I am very proud of all of our contestants and how consciences they are about our natural resources.”
Next up is the LouisAbamaSlama Classic in Orange Beach, Alabama scheduled for September 10 and will be hosted by Tacky Jacks Bar & Grill. To learn all about it visit the ClassicS at www.KayakFishingClassicS.com See you there!
Lusk 'Bringing It' in a Diablo
William Lusk, a young angler on the Kayak Fishing ClassicS Tournament Series trail, is ‘Bringing It’ as they say, to some very experienced tournament anglers. It’s not by luck either, as the competitor has been doing his home work around the clock. Lusk has made a total commitment to becoming a top contestant among some of the very best that the Gulf Coast area has to offer. He saw early on the huge advantages that a Diablo Paddlesports Kayak affords and purchased one.
The Diablo allows William to stand up and sight fish from his kayak and also allows him to get into places that some kayaks can’t go. He used these features last weekend in the ClassicS, Tarpon Fever Classic which was hosted by The Old Salty Dog Restaurant in Sarasota, Florida. The area is fantastic for tarpon fishing which was one of the species on the score board for the event. The anglers were issued a DNA Kit provided by the FWC Marine Research Institute, so they could gather samples of tarpon DNA which provides a fingerprint of the fish for research.
The young hungry lion launched his Diablo at 5:30 AM in pursuit of redfish, trout and of course tarpon. He scored his trout early and moved on to redfish. Light was just breaking and he was hoping to spot tailing reds or tarpon coming into the pass for breakfast. William got his red later in the morning, photographed it and released the fish as all fish are in the series. Now it was time to locate the big challenge, the Silver King.
Lusk has been learning a great deal about inshore fishing by following the ClassicS Series and competing at a high level. He also has been spending his off the water time reading and studying the various species the series fishes for. He has raised his knowledge base considerably and it is showing on the leader board in the Series Standings. He has steadily been advancing toward the top after every tournament and a win in the Tarpon Fever Classic would help him considerably.
William had never fished for tarpon before and he knew that there was a lot too it. He hunted and hunted trying to locate them. The conditions were perfect and he was in the right spot. He could be seen from the Old Salty Dog by the national tournament director of the ClassicS, Captain Pat Horrigan who commented that he was on a tarpon. Capt. Pat could see the tarpon and Lusk was in the perfect position for a connection but it just didn’t happen.
“Tarpon can be funny that way” said Capt. Pat, “you can cast to them, and they will take a look and reject your offering. I think he would have had success had he thrown some feathers to her.”
As it turned out William Lusk had a great day in his Diablo. He finished the Classic in Second Place which propelled him to Sixth Place in the Series Standings and earned him a kayak full of sponsor gear. Included in the gear were a new TFO Fly Rod and a Redington Delta Fly Reel which he greatly needed. We will be keeping an eye on the angler and we are sure to see more good things from this young gentleman at the Green Key Classic on July 9. Congratulations William on your great win.
First Lady Angler Winner at ClassicS
The alarm buzzed at 4 O’clock for Holly Arnold and her husband Brian. They were at the launch site before dawn to enjoy a Weedon Island sunrise and prepare for a day of fishing together. The Kayak Fishing ClassicS, Mammoth Redfish & Trout Classic was to be Holly’s first fishing tournament and she had been doing her homework in preparation. Brian had been insistent upon her studying the two species of fish, their habits and techniques to catch them. The team even pre-fished the area a few times and learned to use some new lures.
Well, it seems that all of Holly’s hard work and perseverance was soon to be rewarded. The sunrise brought cold coastal temperatures and strong winds to add to the chill. The water had cooled significantly overnight just to make her first test more challenging. The two paddled off in their kayak and began what was to become a very challenging day for them both. The north winds kept the tide flow from being what it should have been and made for a very tough day of fishing for all of the contestants.
As the day went on, without any fish, the shallow water warmed and spark of hope arose from deep within. Holly saw a nice redfish and cast her High Roller Lure in hopes of it being an irresistible offering. She gave the High Roller a few twitches and the red made a run at the lure and pounced on it like pro wrestler. Brian cleared his gear to maneuver the kayak and the fight was on. This was Holly’s first redfish and she had no idea that they are so powerful.
The battle put her skills to the test and she finally subdued her first red after several minutes. Photos followed to record her success and then the release. This proved to be the only fish of the day for Holly which later proved to be the right fish. The couple made their way back to the launch site, loaded their gear and headed to Whiskey Joes on the other side of Tampa Bay.
Upon her arrival, Holly filled out her paper work at the judges table and turned in her camera as did all of the contestants. Whiskey Joes provided a nice buffet to warm the anglers, while the weigh in was tabulated. The ClassicS Award Ceremony began with announcing the fifth place winner and worked toward first place.
Second place was announced by Captain Pat Horrigan of the ClassicS and much to her great surprise, Holly’s name rang out. Everyone cheered and applauded her victory and welcomed her as the ClassicS First Lady Angler Winner. She was both elated and shocked. She sprang to her feet and rushed to the awards table for her formal acknowledgement and prizes which also overwhelmed her. Prize after prize was awarded to her. Smile after smile were awarded to all. Holly caught the second largest redfish in the tournament and the admiration of all. She captured her winning redfish on a High Roller Lure which secured her victory as the first ever winning Lady Angler of the ClassicS. Congratulations Holly and very well done.
Monster Redfish Classic Big Success
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS launched their 2011 Series Year with the Monster Redfish ClassicS presented by Diablo Paddlesports and hosted by Jack Willies Tiki Bar & Grill. The event was held on January 15 in Oldsmar, Florida which is the Old Tampa Bay area.
At launch time there was a hint of cold in the air as the sun broke over the horizon. The wind was calm and it looked like a nice day was on the way. This time last year, it was bitter cold for the inaugural event and it actually snowed and sleeted. This year looked much more promising however the bay waters were a chilly 54 degrees. The anglers launched their kayaks to fish the warmer creeks in the pristine area.
As the day warmed the anglers worked their way out of the creeks and onto the flats. Warmed by the sun the redfish began to dine on the many offerings such as RiverBum Flies, High Roller Lures and D.O.A. Lures. All of which carried a Bait Bonus for the anglers. The Kayak Fishing ClassicS is trying out a new bonus points system this year by awarding 20 Bait Bonus Points to anglers catching entry fish of these baits, all of whom are major sponsors to the ClassicS. Many of the anglers took advantage of the new system as it was evidence to its success at the photo weigh in.
A top notch awards ceremony followed the weigh in at Jack Willies in Oldsmar. The unusual eatery features a baseball motif combined with tropical Tiki situated on the water of Old Tampa Bay. The awards ceremony was bristling with an overwhelming amount of kayak fishing gear provided by the generous sponsors of the ClassicS. Last year awards ceremonies were great and this year is even better. There was over $8,000.00 in sponsor gear on the tables for the contestants and it showed. The ceremony was very well organized and presented, as usual and has become a high class affair for all involved.
The top five winners received a kayak anglers Christmas of sorts however there was something for everyone which is unique to the ClassicS. We look forward to their next event in February as do the anglers and host sponsors. To learn more about the ClassicS and their phenomenal sponsors, visit them on their website at www.KayakFishingClassicS.com
Diablo Paddlesports joins Kayak Fishing ClassicS
We are very excited to announce that Diablo PaddleSports, makers of Diablo Kayaks has joined the Kayak Fishing ClassicS as the 2011 Series “Year Exclusive Kayak Sponsor.” Diablo brings a unique, hand laminated standup fishing kayak to the ClassicS Series. What is different about the Diablo is that it is a blend between a paddle board and a fishing kayak. The Diablo kayaks have a very low profile which affords some huge advantages for the series anglers.
By having such a low profile, it will be much harder for fish to see the angler. That’s a big advantage over other kayaks. The other obvious advantage is that the wind does not blow a Diablo around like it can other kayaks. This too is important to the angler in that a Diablo Kayak is less disturbing to the fish and it is easier to handle in such conditions. Another characteristic of the Diablo line is that their boats are wide and extremely stable. This allows the angler to stand up to sight fish which will mean more fish to the boat and more victories. An angler can easily use a push pole to add to the stealth.
Diablo PaddleSports has its headquarters in Austin, Texas and those boys know shallow water fishing. When designing the Diablo, one of the focus points was the draft or how shallow the boat will float. The boat easily paddles through a few inches of water fully loaded and with a 250 pound man in it. Maneuverability is fantastic and to top it all off, the boats are very comfortable with a variety of seating options available.
Great engineering and fantastic looks have been combined to make one of the best kayaks on the water today. The Kayak Fishing ClassicS is very pleased to bring the Diablo Paddlesports Kayaks to our anglers for 2011 and we are sure they will be very well received. In fact, the excitement over Diablo has already struck the hearts of some of the series contestants. There is a lot of chatter and buzz about Diablo PaddleSports joining the ClassicS and the anglers cannot wait to get their hands on one of them.
Diablo PaddleSports will be awarding two Diablo’s in the ClassicS 2011 Series Year. The Series conducts 10 open tournaments to determine the Series Champion and that is followed by a National Championship tournament. The Series Champion and the National Champion will both receive a Diablo PaddleSports Kayak.
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS will start the 2011 Series Year on January 15th. The series is a point’s series and it is to the advantage of the anglers to fish all of the tournaments to build up points. Visits the ClassicS at www.KayakFishingClassicS.com for additional information.
Reel Dreams Fish Prints joins ClassicS
The kayak Fishing ClassicS has opened the Tournament Artist category to include Sarasota Gyotaku artist Jim Roberts’ Reel Dreams Fish Prints as a sponsor for the 2011 Series Year beginning in January.
Artist Jim Roberts is a master of the ancient Japanese art of Gyotaku, (GEE-OH-TAH-KOO) which in Japanese means ‘Fish-Rubbing’. The retired charter captain began learning the art out of his love for the sea and her bounty. Jim creates incredible pictures of the fish that he catches using the method and will be awarding prints of his incredible art to the winning anglers in the ClassicS national tournament series.
The Gyotaku art by Jim Roberts is a great addition to an area of sponsorship that has another famous artist, Steve Whitlock involved and the combination should make for some very interesting awards to the fortunate winners of each of the 11 series events.
The art of Gyotaku sounds simple on the surface but after looking into it closer, one will see that it is a very involved and difficult art. The artwork itself or fish print’s, are breathtaking and very unusual. The vibrant yet mellow colors of the subject fish are masterfully captured by the famous artist and may be viewed on his website, ReelDreamsFishPrints.com or you can see them in person at any of the ClassicS Awards Ceremonies which follow each event photo weigh in.
“We are very happy to have been able to expand this important cultural category and extremely pleased to have artist Jim Roberts as a new sponsor to the Kayak Fishing ClassicS” said Captain Pat Horrigan, the National Director of Tournaments for the ClassicS. “Just as the sport itself is important to us, so is the surrounding culture that is reflected as a result of Florida angler’s love of fishing” continued Capt. Pat.
“We are fortunate and thankful to have such a wonderful Florida artist of the scope and talent that Jim brings to our anglers. Jim’s Gyotaku art combined with that of Steve Whitlock’s fine art will offer our contestants some really fabulous collectables for their families to enjoy in their homes” said the Captain.
You will soon be able to view Jim Roberts Fish Prints on the Kayak Fishing ClassicS website where an entire page will be devoted to Jim Roberts Reel Dream Fish Prints. You will also be able to meet the artists at some of the ClassicS events. Please check their website for dates.
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS is very pleased to announce that Redington Tackle & Apparel Co. has joined the Kayak Fishing ClassicS for the 2011 Series Year. Redington is now the ClassicS ‘Exclusive Fly Reel Sponsor’ with their new Delta Series Reels.
The new Delta Series is a tough competitor designed for larger saltwater fish. The ultra light, large arbor reel is machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and features a super smooth drag with one-way clutch for immediate, silky engagement and cork/Teflon drag. The smoke color anodized Delta is a looker as well.
The fully machined Delta brings fantastic fish stopping power to turn those big tarpon and monster snook that the ClassicS contestants angle for. Big redfish and gator trout also will not be a problem with the size selection that Redington has designed in the new Delta Series. Redington has long been known for the exceptional quality to price ratio with the consumer coming out on top. The new Delta Series compares to the $700.00 reels in the same category in every respect except price. High quality and moderate price structure are a must to be invited to become a ClassicS Sponsor and Redington has done a very nice job with this.
Redington based in Washington State, is no stranger to fighting large ocean run fish. Situated on Bainbridge Island makes for a short cast for engineers to test their reels on some of the finest fly fishing waters in the world. Redington also manufactures a fantastic lineup of fly fishing gear. Rod-smiths have long designed quality fly rods and offer a rod for any species that you seek. Redington also has a nice line of waders, fleece pants, wading boots and wading jackets to get you into the water in comfort. They also make a full line of outerwear which includes guide jackets, guide vests and pants, several wading and squall jackets. To round out their selection of outerwear, they also offer shirts, pants and shorts for men and women as well as the necessary accessories.
“We are very excited and proud to bring Redington to the ClassicS. The Delta Series Fly Reel is a perfect choice for us and I know that our anglers and readers will agree,” said Captain Pat Horrigan, National Tournament Director of the Kayak Fishing ClassicS. To learn more about Redington and the ClassicS visit them at www.KayakFishingClassicS.com
Princeton Tec Lights Up ClassicS
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS is very pleased to announce that Princeton Tec has joined the family of sponsors supporting the National Tournament Series. Princeton Tec is a long time maker of high tech lighting solutions and will be providing their ingenious lighting solutions to the ClassicS contestants.
For over three decades, Princeton Tec has been pioneering new technologies to satisfy the lighting needs of adventurers in the harshest conditions known to man. Be it in the air, on the land, on or under the sea Princeton Tec has the answer and has continuously proven itself to be the best in the world.
The contestants of the Kayak Fishing ClassicS expose their equipment to the corrosive conditions of saltwater sport fishing along the Coastal Gulf States of the US. There really has not been a reliable and convenient solution to their lighting needs until recently, which will now be provided by Princeton Tec in the way of their Remix Headlamp.
The Remix is unique in that it is several lights in one waterproof, lightweight useful lighting tool. The small Remix Headlamp offers a powerful, versatile lighting solution that operates on 3 AAA batteries. The PTEC Power of 70 Lumens is adjustable and has a burn time of up to 200 hours. The compact unit contains 3 Ultrabright LEDs and 1 Maxbright LED which can easily be turned on in a variety of combinations to take care of long range spotting, close up soft lighting and anywhere in between.
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS conducts a total of eleven tournaments in which many anglers launch their kayaks and fish in total darkness. It is difficult, if not impossible to paddle in those conditions and hold a spotlight. The Remix is attached to an adjustable stretch strap and is worn on the anglers head. As a result the light is simply directed to where the angler looks. This is much safer and much more effective than any other light.
A simple push on the slide switch will change the lighting selection to suit the variety conditions and needs. Perhaps the most compelling feature of the small yet power light is the burn time. It is very impressive that 3 AAA batteries can operate the light on low for 200 hours or on a maximum distance of over 73 meters, they will last 28 hours. This is truly technology at work.
For more information about Princeton Tec and the Kayak Fishing ClassicS please visit the ClassicS website at www.KayakFishingClassicS.com
Dr. Slick Joins ClassicS
Dr. Slick Co. makers of Instruments for Anglers, has joined the Kayak Fishing ClassicS national tournament series for the 2011 series year. The company has spent decades creating the highest quality fishing and fly-tying tools available anywhere in the world.
Dr. Slick Co is the creation of Ken High, M.D. and was founded in 1989. The company makes a variety of related products which are truly of the finest quality and are used worldwide by champion fly-tiers. Dr. Slick also makes a selection of precision pliers for anglers that ClassicS founder, Captain Pat Horrigan has been using for many years.
“I am very pleased with the addition of Dr. Slick Co. to the ClassicS. I believe that they make the very best tools in their field and I am excited to bring them to our contestants,” said the captain. The Kayak Fishing ClassicS brings kayak fishing products and related gear to their anglers via their many sponsors. Each sponsor awards products to the top five winning anglers in both the light tackle and fly fishing divisions, for each of the series’ ten tournaments and national championship.
Dr. Slick Co. brings surgical quality, stainless steel tools to the anglers of the ClassicS in no small way. The company will be providing their very fine pliers and scissors to the anglers of the series. The tools are tailored to the needs and demands of the saltwater fly fishing and light tackle fishing markets. The company also backs every product with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
The contestants of the Kayak Fishing ClassicS series will put the Dr. Slick products to the test. The anglers fish in ten tournaments from January through October along the Gulf Coast States and conclude the series with the national championship in November. The series is very proud to offer high quality fishing gear that appeals to the average anglers.
There is nothing average about the competition in the ClassicS. The top anglers in the series are separated by only 80 Series Points with just one more event scheduled for October 23rd, before the championship in November. For additional information about Dr. Slick products or the Kayak Fishing ClassicS, please visit the ClassicS website at www.KayakFishingClassicS.com
High Roller Lures Captures Second Award
High Roller Lures has captured the Kayak Fishing ClassicS ‘Anglers Choice Award’ for the second year in a row. High Roller Lures is the series sponsor for Custom Wooden Baits and has proven once again that they are the lure of choice by the series anglers in the Light Tackle Division.
During the Kayak Fishing ClassicS 2010 Series Year, High Roller Lures won a number of the series tournaments in the light tackle division proving that the lures not only can withstand the torturous conditions that the contestants subject them to, but that they really ‘turn on the bite’ when other casting plugs don’t, earning the company the Anglers Choice Award once again.
High Roller Lures are custom made wooden lures that sport a lifelike finish that has fooled many a fish in the 2010 series and is expected to do more of the same in 2011. Not only do the lures look like the real thing, they also swim like it. The lures are very durable, look real and most importantly, consistently produce fish. As if that were not enough, the company sells the lures at very affordable prices that the average angler can easily afford, all requirements of the ClassicS and the contestants as well.
The ClassicS Series target species are tough, toothy, bait crushing saltwater trophy fish that the wooden lures consistently produced during the tournaments which make the lures the choice of many of the anglers in the series. Presentation is everything in an artificial lure. It must cast well and swim like a bait fish. It must have a real look too. Fish are much smarter than most people give them credit for and if they see a poor representation, they will turn away.
That spells probable defeat to a kayak tournament angler and they are not having any of it. The anglers are very quick to determine if something works like it should or not and will reject a loser faster than a spooky snook unleashes an ambush attack form a mangrove haunt.
It is easy to see why so many of the ClassicS anglers use and win with High Roller Wooden Lures. We congratulate the company and employees on winning the prestigious award for the second time. If you can do it two times in a row, it’s not luck.
RiverBum Flies earns Awards
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS have awarded RiverBum Flies their prestigious Fly of the Year Award and their Anglers Choice Award for 2011. The awards are based upon a stellar performance in the 2010 ClassicS Series Year.
In 2010 RiverBum was selected by the Kayak Fishing ClassicS to join the series as a fly sponsor after much research and testing. The main criteria for the selection as Fly Sponsor is the ability of the company to produce a very high quality fly that will stand up to the rigors of saltwater tournament fishing and yet be offered at a great price. Another requirement is that the flies must catch fish and catch fish they did.
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS conducts eleven tournaments per year along the Coastal Gulf States in which the anglers put the sponsor products to the extreme text of competitive kayak tournament fishing, the fastest growing water sport in the world. RiverBum Flies not only withstood the test tournament after tournament, they excelled and proved themselves to be the one of the top saltwater fly companies in the world.
RiverBum Flies placed in the top five places early on in the series and won several throughout the 2010 series year. As the season progressed, many contestants switched from their own or other brands and began winning with RiverBum Flies. The fly company quickly became the choice of the anglers and earned the company the lofty “Anglers Choice Award”.
Most of the species of fish that are sought after in the ClassicS Tournaments have either big, sharp teeth or powerful crushers which are hard on any fly. The corrosiveness of the saltwater is tough on them also and the combination usually makes for a short-lived usefulness of most offerings. RiverBum really came through for the fly anglers of the ClassicS. Most other flies are only good for one to three fights and then its retirement time.
RiverBum proved to be the exception to the common acceptance of a short lifespan and fooled fish too, lots of fish and often when it counted. With big prizes on the line as well as bragging rights, the anglers had to have a go to brand and RiverBum came through big….real big. RiverBum Flies has proven that their flies can take more punishment and catch more fish than any others and has earned themselves the distinguished and important “Fly of the Year Award” from the Kayak Fishing ClassicS.
All of us at No Bananas Fishing Reviews would like to congratulate Riverbum Flies ownership and employees on a big job, very well done.
Knowles Captures National Championship Classic
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS National Championship Classic was held on November 20th & 21st in Florida and everyone had their game face on. There was plenty to be serious about in the two day event. How about over $8,000.00 in sponsor gear prizes and cash? How about some serious bragging rights for a year? How about the fun and joy of winning a big kayak fishing championship? Or how about $1,000.00 from Yuenling Beer or a Freedom Hawk Kayak? Sound Good? It should and in fact, it was great!
The anglers enjoyed a ‘fish where you like’ format for day one. Everyone had a chance to fish their favorite Florida waters for big redfish. Day two was spent vying for ‘Big Red’ on Tampa Bay. The anglers were ready and so was Mother Nature. The weather was near perfect and the fishing conditions were excellent and that made for some hot action and some surprises. The two series favorites placed well but did not win the kayak, the cash or the championship.
The 2 PM Weigh In on Sunday was hosted by the fantastic Whiskey Joes Bar & Grill of Tampa where the anglers shared fishing stories and high hopes. Tampa angler Mark Knowles slammed the event by winning the Freedom Hawk Kayak, the lion’s share of the cash and sponsor gear, the bragging rights and all of the fun of winning by turning in two nice redfish measuring 28.25” & 29.6” for his victory. The modest and ever smiling Knowles was surprised and elated to say the least. Mark can use the new Freedom Hawk Kayak and the $500.00 from Yuenling Beer. And we all know that an angler can never have enough gear but this may prove to the exception to that rule. Mark also won gear from Deep South Fishing Rods, Aqua Design, Steve Whitlock Game Fish Art, High Roller Lures, IceMule Coolers, Ocean Waves Sunglasses, Plano Tackle Systems, PrecisionPak, RiverBum Flies, Talic, Jim Teeny Fly Lines, Temple Fork Outfitters and Linsey EyeCare. Sounds like Christmas came early for Mark.
Second Place went to Jose Chavez who also won the PrecisionPak Big Fish Award. Jose won using his TFO fly rod and RiverBum Flies. Jose turned in a huge 33” monster redfish that looked like it ate a football for breakfast. Jose also had an early Christmas and received $300.00 from Yuenling Beer and a kayak full of sponsor gear. Jose is rapidly becoming and expert fly angler and has recently developed a passion for the art.
Third Place was hooked by Derick Burgos who turned in 22.75” & 28” redfish for his victory and won a cool $200.00 from Yuenling Beer and enough gear to outfit one of his kayaks. Burgos led the series year to the last event of the regular series year and was unable to attend the 10th and final series year event in October. It was nice to see him do so well in the Championship.
Fourth Place was captured by Series Champion, Chuck Statham by weighing in one redfish that was 31.5” and also looked big enough to pull a truck. Chuck received a bunch of sponsor gear to start his Holidays of right.
Fifth Place winner and also ever smiling went to Chris Ravelo with another big brute that measured a fat 31.25” to make it very close. Chris is an expert fly angler but went to his TFO/Gary Loomis Saltwater rod to capture his winning bruiser.
All of the Anglers in the National Championship Classic are excellent and have enjoyed the 2010 series. The Kayak Fishing ClassicS has awarded over $70,000.00 in sponsor gear and cash prizes in this their first Series Year. The ClassicS are looking for a great 2011 Series Year which begins in January. Visit them at www.KayakFishingClassicS.com to catch the fever of competitive kayak fishing, the fastest growing water sport in the world.
Statham Closes Gap on Series Leader
On October 25th at the Kayak Fishing ClassicS, Redfish & Trout Slam Classic, Florida native Chuck Statham captured yet another victory in the Series. Statham has chipped away at what seemed to be a very secure 370 point series lead held by Derick Burgos, and has done so in a workman like fashion.
Statham has managed to win or place in the top three positions in recent ClassicS’ events while series leader Burgos has fought hard to hold him off and keep control of the greatly prized first place standing. Well, things have changed and it’s a new game now after this past weekend, hosted by Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant in Tierra Verde, Florida.
With this hard fought victory over the large field of very talented anglers on Saturday, Chuck Statham has managed to close the Series Lead margin to a very narrow 80 Series Points. With one more ClassicS event in October before the national championship, the series championship is up for grabs. Statham could take the series with a victory at the Southern Redfish Classic on October 23rd which is hosted by the Riverhouse Reef & Grill in Palmetto, Florida.
Burgos of course knows this and is the kind of angler that thrives on competition and is looking forward to the Southern Redfish Classic. Burgos is an outstanding angler as are all of the contestants that fish the Kayak Fishing ClassicS. Burgos and Statham fish both the fly rod and light tackle divisions and are winning with Temple Fork Outfitters rods. TFO is a major sponsor to the ClassicS and awards TFO Fly Rods and TFO/Gary Loomis Saltwater Spinning Rods at each event. Both anglers take full advantage of the sponsor gear that they have won and both use Ocean Waves Sunglasses to spot their fish. The Kayak Fishing ClassicS is a 10 tournament series followed by a national championship in November where the winner be awarded a Freedom Hawk Kayak. The Freedom 12 is a standup fishing kayak which is well suited for the rigors the ClassicS events.
The top five series leaders all use High Roller Custom Lures when not fly fishing and all of the fly anglers use RiverBum Flies. Both companies are series sponsors and the contestants love their products.
Chris Ravelo is also a combo angler and is in third place overall in the Series Standings. Ravelo had a tough day Saturday on fly but managed to make gains in the standings. While Burgos and Statham slug it out for first place, there is a very close field for third thru fifth places which are also very highly prized standings.
With a bad day for the two leaders, Ravelo could move up next month so there is a lot of pressure at the top. That is what makes a series great and the anglers and the Kayak Fishing ClassicS should all be proud of what they are doing for the sport and for coastal conservation. All are invited to the awards ceremony on October 23rd and you can get all of the information on the ClassicS website or listen to the show on Slot Limit Radio on the web.
Series Leader Captures Third to Hold Lead
By No Bananas Fishing Reviews
Derick Burgos, the Kayak Fishing ClassicS Series Leader, hooked third place in the fly fishing division at the Pecks, Ozello Redfish Slam Classic on August 28th, 2010. Derick, sponsored by Slot Limit Radio, only managed one fish for the day. It was enough to take third in the photo release kayak fishing series and earn enough points to keep the challengers behind him and still control the Series Lead. Derick has fished eight of the scheduled ten open events and that has helped him greatly. He, like most anglers, has experienced some slow days over the past eight months but his resolve has paid off thus far. He leads the school of anglers by 370 Series Points which puts Chuck Statham right on his paddle wake and closing. Statham has slammed the last three ClassicS’ and Burgos has faltered from his usual top performance. The mark of a true champion is how well he does at the finish and the competition in the Kayak Fishing ClassicS Series is lining up to cast their fate.
Derick Burgos is no stranger to competition and is ready for the challenge. He is throwing feathers using a Temple Fork Outfitters 8 weight saltwater fly rod, which he won in past events, and is using RiverBum Saltwater Flies. Eye protection is critical in the Gulf Coast area and being able to see fish on the flats is also equally important to competition anglers. When asked what kind of sunglasses he wears, Burgos replied “I wear Ocean Waves on the water. I first learned about them when I won a pair in a ClassicS tournament and I couldn’t believe the difference between them and what I used to wear.”
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS has done a very good job putting together pertinent, top quality kayak fishing gear sponsors. The anglers win on average over $6,000.00 in Sponsor Gear Prizes at each event and they are using the gear they win in subsequent events. This is good news for sponsors in a tight economy.
Derick Burgos has his sights on the Grand Prize at the national championship in November, a Freedom Hawk Kayaks model 12. Derick likes the idea of having a stand up fishing kayak and Freedom Hawk has done a very good job in the design and manufacture of the Freedom 12. The problem here is the rest of the anglers have their eyes on the big prize as well. Winning the Series is no guarantee that Burgos will win the National Championship to be hosted in Tampa by Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill this November.
The three day event, with two days of fishing will determine the National Champion. The earned series points will equate to some carry-over points, but not enough to guarantee a victory for any of the top point’s leaders in the series. The eventual winner will have to have a great day to walk away with these bragging rights and a huge catch of Sponsor Gear Prizes.
Endorsements usually follow a championship and we will see. Kayak tournament fishing is new at the level that the Kayak Fishing ClassicS brings it to the fastest growing water sport in the country. Combine that with the fastest growing fishing industry segment, Saltwater Fly Fishing, and there is no telling what will happen especially as the economy improves.
Tampa Bay Redfish Classic Results
By P. Ross, No Bananas Fishing Reviews
The Results are in from the Kayak Fishing ClassicS, Tampa Bay Redfish Classic and it was a very interesting event to say the least. Friday night, August 23rd, was the Captain’s Meeting hosted by Whiskey Joes Bar & Grill in Tampa and sponsored by Corona Extra Beer. That made for a great meeting with some fantastic food, steak, fish, peg legs and such as well as Corona Beer for all. The meeting focused on special guest Bret Fitzgerald of the Snook Foundation and the Florida Sportsman Magazine.
Captain Pat Horrigan has turned the ClassicS conservation attention to the Gulf Coast snook population and is raising angler awareness of the Snook Watch Program. Bret Fitzgerald spoke with the contestants on Friday evening about the programs efforts to count the number of snook in our waters for scientific research.
The Series Leader, Derick Burgos had tough back to back tournaments but showed his stuff in Tampa on Saturday. Derick quickly realized that conditions were more favorable for fly fishing, even in the remnants of a tropical storm. He laid out a RiverBum crab pattern, about 40 foot cast with his TFO Fly Rod, and was rewarded with a very nice redfish. The target species was measured, photographed, revived and released. A very nice snook followed and was treated the same with the exception of recording the data into the Snook Watch Program. Derricks’ patience paid off again to catch what was the winning redfish to ice the Fly Fishing Division of the ClassicS event and first place overall. The Points that he earned in this event has solidified his position as Series Leader with three more open events to go before the National Championship in November. The leader spotted both fish using Ocean Waves Sunglasses, which he is convinced are the best for sight fishing. Derrick’s partner in this Classic was newcomer Jack Caldwell who landed a beautiful redfish, also on a RiverBum Fly and captured Second Place in the division.
In the Light Tackle Division Chuck Statham had a fantastic slam with three very nice reds and hooked First Place in the division. That’s two in a row for this rising star who advanced to Second Place in the Series Standings. Chuck plans to enter the Fly Fishing Division after winning a new Temple Fork Outfitters Fly Rod. He also won the ‘Rod of the Year’ a TFO Gary Loomis spinning rod.
Second in the Light Tackle Division was also a new comer. Jeremy Davidson only caught one redfish but it was a dandy. He secured second place and was amazed by all of the prizes that he won from the ClassicS generous sponsors. Jeremy got his wish when he won some custom lures from High Roller Lures. In fact, he managed to pull off a double dip by winning the High Roller Custom Lures raffle in support of the Snook Foundation.
New comer, Bryan Sutton also slammed the field with three nice reds to capture Third Place and a trunk full of gear from the ClassicS Sponsors. Bryan has put himself on the Series Board and plans to fish the remaining events.
Contestants entered fish ranged in length from 18.5 to 30 inches which is pretty good considering the conditions. We congratulate the winners and thank all involved who made this a special event so much fun and very competitive. You are invited to view the photos on the ClassicS website.
The next Kayak Fishing ClassicS event is the Ozello Redfish Slam Classic to be hosted by Pecks Old Cove Port in Ozello on Ozello Trail Rd. August 27th & 28th. Captains Meeting is August 27th at 7PM at Pecks and launch kayaks is at Pirate Point on the 28th. All information is on the ClassicS website; www.KayakFishingClassicS.com
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS is pleased to announce that Ker's Wing House of New Port Richey, Florida is hosting the ClassicS June Redfish Madness Classic. This is the first Classic that the Wing House has hosted and everyone is greatly looking forward to it. Ker's Wing House is a great family restaurant with fantastic food. The New Port Richey Wing House, managed by
Adam Brandt, is conveniently located just around the corner from the Green Key Beach kayak launch on Green Key Rd. at 6515 US Hwy 19. The Wing House will be hosting the Captain's Meeting on June 25th and the photo weigh in and Awards Ceremony on June 26th. The great food and spirits will go well with the Sponsor Prizes valued at over $7,000.00 in kayak fishing gear. Kayak Fishing along the Gulf Coast of Florida is booming and the Wing House is pleased to be a part of it.
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS is pleased to announce that Ker's Wing House of New Port Richey, Florida is hosting the ClassicS June Redfish Madness Classic. This is the first Classic that the Wing House has hosted and everyone is greatly looking forward to it. Ker's Wing House is a great family restaurant with fantastic food. The New Port Richey Wing House, managed by
Adam Brandt, is conveniently located just around the corner from the Green Key Beach kayak launch on Green Key Rd. at 6515 US Hwy 19. The Wing House will be hosting the Captain's Meeting on June 25th and the photo weigh in and Awards Ceremony on June 26th. The great food and spirits will go well with the Sponsor Prizes valued at over $7,000.00 in kayak fishing gear. Kayak Fishing along the Gulf Coast of Florida is booming and the Wing House is pleased to be a part of it.
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS plans on making this an annual event at the New Port Richey Wing House every June. The inshore fishing is very good in the area which holds several creeks, springs and numerous bayous and grass flats. The Green Key area is well known for large redfish that are not bashful and we know that the kayak anglers won't be either when the smell the great food at the Wing House. Register online today at http://www.KayakFishingClassicS.com This will be a fun and exciting family and friends event for all ages. This events' earned points from the 3 Redfish Toatal will go towards an earned position in the Kayak Fishing ClassicS Invitational National Championship.
Kayak Fishing ClassicS Tournament Results
Tarpon Conspiracy Theory at Homosassa Hazard
The Bayport Inn of Weeki Wachee hosted the first ever kayak tarpon fishing tournament. The Kayak Fishing ClassicS, Homosassa Hazard-Extreme Tarpon Classic kicked off on May 21 with the Captain’s Meeting. Local anglers attending the meeting had commented that the fishing of late had been very tough and sporadic. This is highly unusual for the area which is well known for huge redfish and world famous for monster tarpon in large numbers.
Launch time came at 7AM on Saturday May 22 and the conditions were perfect. A slight breeze from the east and a beautiful sunrise marked the morning as the kayak anglers paddled out to do battle with one of the most formidable fish on the flats known as the Silver King.
As the morning unfolded a few pods of tarpon were spotted on their northward trek. The anticipation increased but quickly faded into the afternoon sky. The numbers of tarpon that are normally in the area at this time of year just were not there and those that were did not bite. Other anglers outside of the Classic experienced the same rude treatment by the Silver King. This treatment hatched the conspiracy theory that the tarpon knew we were going to be there and decided not to cooperate in the least. They also conveyed to the trout and redfish to follow suit.
The contestants were also fishing for the largest trout and redfish as part of the Classic. Precision Tackle of Spring Hill, Florida had prizes up for grabs for that part of the tournament. Ryan Alise won the Biggest Trout Award and PJ Weckbacher won the Biggest Redfish Award at the very last moment, with his last cast of the day. Additionally there was over $7,000.00 in Sponsor Prizes on the Table for the tarpon anglers. Because the tarpon gave the anglers such a tough day, it was decided by the tournament director of the Kayak Fishing ClassicS to award the generous sponsor prizes by drawing names. Every contestant went home with some very nice gear to ease the pain. No tournament or series points were awarded however the tasty food provided by the Bayport Inn, the fantastic prizes and great comradry all made for time very well spent.
The Silver King showed us who’s boss this year, but we’ll be back!
Molly GoodHeads Excellent Adventure Classic ~May 24th, 2010 . by P. Ross, Staff Journalist
The Classic results are in and we have a winner! The fishing was tough with the wind and boat traffic, but that’s fishing and our contestants did well. Baitfish were scarce and that is never a good sign. Some of the contestants had difficulty keeping their kayaks positioned with the wind and waves as anchors and pins did not always hold. After the Captain’s Meeting and a great dinner at Molly GoodHeads, the anglers were released to fish. This was a slam tournament with Redfish, Trout and Jacks as the target species. The Kayak Fishing ClassicS did not wish to target Snook at this time, affording them more time to strengthen from this winters’ harsh cold and bitter treatment. So jacks were on the board instead of snook which proved to be just as challenging. Reds were everywhere on the flats throughout the week and were in hiding on Friday night and Saturday. Like I said, conditions were tough.
In the Fly Fishing Division, new comer Danny Lai captured First Place. Danny was awarded an Albright double XX-12 weight Fly Rod & hard case which he plans to use in the ClassicS upcoming Extreme Tarpon Classic in May. He was also awarded some very nice RiverBum Saltwater Flies that were tied for the upcoming tarpon tournament. Danny has been fly fishing for only 3 months and out-fished some very experienced fly anglers for the coveted position and bragging rights
Second Place in Fly division was taken by Derick Burgos. Derick has been saltwater fly fishing for awhile now and is looking forward to the Homosassa Hazard Extreme Tarpon Classic to break in his new fly rod. Derick was also award an Albright XX-12 wt. Fly Rod and hard case and some RiverBum Saltwater Flies for his efforts.
Third Place in Fly division went to Tony Lai, another experienced fly angler who slammed everyone in the last Classic with a powerfully stated victory. Tony is looking forward to the Extreme Tarpon Classic and is excited to use his new Albright XX-12 wt. Fly rod which he was awarded along with some great RiverBum Saltwater Flies.
In the Light Tackle Division Tony Lai once again forged a solid victory by capturing First Place and was award another Albright Fishing Products specialty rod. This time Tony was awarded Albrights 4 piece kayak/surf spinning rod and hard case. This was designed with the kayak angler in mind. Tony is looking forward to breaking it in on the tarpon in the May Classic. Tony also was awarded some very nice High Roller Custom Lures that he plans to put to good use. He can also use the Ocean Waves Sunglasses he was awarded, to see those big, bad Silver Kings and the Freedom Hawk push pole to help out on the flats. Tony is after the Freedom Hawk 12, which will be awarded to the winner of the National Championship. He’s not alone in that thought, as all of the anglers want to win the Freedom 12.
Second Place in Light Tackle Div. went to Danny Lai who is now racking up some serious points in the ClassicS Series in his first tournament. Danny was also award the very fine Albright kayak/surf spinning rod and plans to team up with his uncle in May’s Classic to win more great gear. Danny also won a pair of very cool Ocean Waves, an IceMule Kayak Cooler bag and a trunk full of products provided by the ClassicS generous sponsors. It was a great first tournament for this young man.
Third Place in Light Tackle was pounded out by new comer, Paul Weckbacher who wanted to get in on the great times and fantastic gear he was awarded. To Start with “PJ” also took home the new kayak/surf spinning rod provide by Albright Fishing Tackle, High Roller Lures, Ocean Waves, IceMule Cooler, and some very cool Visually Quiet Aqua Design kayak fishing clothing just to mention some of what he won. PJ also plans to be in on the Extreme Tarpon Classic in May and said that he is going to have to pick up fly fishing.
All of the top placing anglers were awarded the same great gear with exception to the Albright rods, depending on which division they placed in. In addition the ClassicS wants to welcome Florida native and artist Steve Whitlock of Steve Whitlock Game Fish Art as our official Tournament Artist. Steve is providing his artwork designed around the species of each of the ClassicS events in the Series. The top 3 places winners in each division won some of Steve’s fantastic Chart Art which can be viewed on his website SteveWhitlock.com Everyone at the event and as well as Molly GoodHeads patrons, were very impressed with his unique artwork.
Freedom Hawk Kayaks provided a great kayak push pole. Albright Fishing Products provided the winners with their fantastic Fly Rods and Kayak/Surf Spin Rods. Ocean Waves awarded several pairs of their kayak fishing sunglasses which are the very best for our anglers needs. Linsey Eyecare provides the prescription eye care for our Ocean Wave winning anglers. Linsey Eyecare is a great family owned professional eye care service and the Official EyeCare Sponsor of the ClassicS. High Roller Custom Lures awarded numerous Custom Wooded Lures and their PT Spoons to all of our winners in the Light Tackle Division. Aqua Design awarded their unique Visually Quite clothing to all of our winners in both divisions. If you fish inshore, you need Aqua Design. RiverBum Flies awarded a bucket full of tarpon flies to our fly fishing winners. IceMule Coolers awarded everyone their fantastic bag cooler. Steve Whitlock Game Fish Art provided our winners with his breath taking Chart Art and pencil drawings. The Kayak Angler Magazine awarded every angler with a free one year subscription to their online magazine. Slot Limit Radio provides the Radio Voice of the ClassicS on air and online, live on Thursday night at 6:30 ET. If you fish, you should listen. The Kayak Fishing Magazine always provides free online access to all of our contestants and Awarded the book by Jon Shein titled Kayak Fishing. If you kayak fish or are thinking about it, you should read this book. It has quickly earned the name The Kayak Bible.
The total awarded value was over $7,000.00 and we deeply thank all of our sponsors for making our events so enjoyable and exciting. We now turn our attention to our upcoming event in May which is the Homosassa Hazard, Extreme Tarpon Classic. See you there.
Preview: Rules Change Promotes Two New Divisions in ClassicS
Sport Angler Division & Guide Division New for Kayak Fishing ClassicS
On Sunday April 19, 2010 the Kayak Fishing ClassicS announced a major change to the rules in an effort to level the field.
The new Sport Angler Division is for non professional anglers.
The new Guides Division is for kayak fishing guides.
After many months of study and conversations with pro's and non pro's alike, the decision was made. The everyday angler wanted to compete with other everyday anglers and the guides or pro's felt the same way. The guides bring a wealth of knowledge to the events and gladly share with eveyone. This is valuable resource for all involved. The Guides will compete exclusively in the new Guides Division and the winners will receive additional business promotion by the ClassicS.
The Sport Anglers will have a better shot at winning tournaments in their divisions and their share of the awards which are very considerable. We appreciate the assistance from all involved and look forward to an even stronger series.
Slot Limit Radio Pairs with the Kayak Fishing ClassicS
By Katrinka Swenson, staff journalist
The Kayak Fishing ClassicS is getting a louder voice. Slot Limit Radio is now the “Official Radio Voice of the ClassicS”.
Slot Limit Radio features the experienced Captain Tim Whitfield and Captain Billy Turney, and is the only weekday outdoor show on the air.
Both captains are accomplished light tackle fishermen who share what they know about the sport with anglers on any skill level. They have studied many hours to know about the best locations and to gain a great understanding of the habitats they fish in and the behavior of their prey.
They actively compete in catch-and-release tournament fishing, and support the preservation and conservation of the coastal resources they have grown to know so very well.
The ClassicS' tournament series leader, Derick Burgos, is a member of Team Slot Limit Radio. Derick is an avid fisherman with over 20 years of experience. Just like the captains, Derricks’ passion drives him to share his knowledge with those around him. He is the owner of Phatfish Kayak Charters and guides people to be better fishermen.
Captain Pat Horrigan of the Kayak Fishing ClassicS will be a regular guest on the show. He will bring his knowledge of kayak fishing and equipment to the show for its own great element and angle.
You can hear the show every Thursday from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm from Bushnell, Florida to South Tampa on AM 1400, or anywhere in the world while it streams online http://www.SlotLimitRadio.com
 by KayakFishingClassicS » Mon Mar 29, 2010
There Were Some Big Sweeps on Saturday at the TenAcious Trout Classic!
To bigin with Tony Lai swept First Place in both the Fly Fishing & Light Tackle Divisions with some very nice trout.
Tony has now moved up to Second Place in the Series Standings. He used his newly aquired Albright fly rod and RiverBum Flies to secure his victory in the Fly Division. Tony also used his Albright Explorer kayak fishing rod and High Roller Lures to take the Light Tackle Division. A dream day for sure for any competitive angler.
Derick Burgos slammed the door shut on Second Place with his Albright Fly Rod and his Albright Explorer kayak rod to sweep both divisions to secure the First Place in the Series Standings. There are several anglers on his heals to take that away but Derick is truely Mr. Consistent. He also used RiverBum Flies and High Roller Lures in his sweep.
Randy Cohen, a new comer to tournament kayak fishing did very nicely by taking Third Place in the LIght Tackle Division.
This was Randy's first competition and we are sure he will be back for more. Randy's son, Mack was part of the father and son team and had a good showing in some windy conditions. Nice Job Mack and enjoy all the gear that you won!
Noticeably absent was Jason Stock who slipped in his Series Standings with his absence. We're sure Jason can make his way back with several Classic Tournaments to go.
Sponsors did very well also at the TenAcious Trout Classic and that's a very good thing. There is a lot of Kayak Fishing ClassicS sponsors gear in the field of contestants and they are all using them as we are now seeing. Albright Fishing Products, Ocean Waves Sunglasses, Freedom Hawk Kayaks, High Roller Lures, Aqua Design, RiverBum Flies, Linsey EyeCare, IceMule Kayak Coolers and more, all have their products in the hands of the contestants and the high quality kayak fishing gear is paying off for the anglers.
Ocean Waves allowed Derick to spot the trout hiding in the grass on the windy flats. The Aqua Design 'Fishing Hat' help with the huge Boonie Style brim. His IceMule cooler kept his water cold in the 80 plus degree day and didn't leak a bit.
The sponsors were chosen carefully for the ClassicS. We have sponsors that make high quality kayak fishing products at affordable prices and the anglers love them all. Thank You to all of our sponsors, your the best.
Come join us at our next tournament on April 23 & 24. Our Host Sponsor is Molly GoodHeads in Ozona, Florida. Check our website for full details and thanks for reading.
by KayakFishingClassicS » Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:24 pm
The Salt Rock Grill is Host Sponsor to the Tenacious Trout Classic & Dinner
The Salt Rock Grill is located at 19325 Gulf Blvd. Indian Shores, Florida
This is one of the nicest wood fired grills anywhere. You can also visit the grill via the Gulf of Mexico, adding to the enjoyment. The Salt Rock Grill is upscale and comfortable with a menu that will knock your boating hat off. When I first visited the grill I was immersed in aromas that made me just want to take it all in. The menu items are fantastic and modest in price. The grill also has an extensive, award winning wine cellar that is sure to please. The grill is of course on the water with dockage and patio bar. The Salt Rock Grill has recently received The Best Water Front Dinning Award by the Dupont Registry so you know it's great. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and will make your visit memorable.
We are very pleased to have The Salt Rock Grill as the Host Sponsor for The TenAcious Trout Classic & Dinner.
Dinner is included with online paid tournament registration and contestant guests will receive a special dinner price.
You're invited to join the Kayak Fishing ClassicS at the Salt Rock Grill on March 26 & 27.
Please visit the Salt Rock Grill at http://www.SaltRockGrill.com or you may call 727-593-7625
For complete tournament information please visit http://www.KayakFishingClassicS.com
FishGreen
IceMule Joins Kayak Fishing ClassicS Tournament
By Katrinka Swenson
IceMule, the maker of the world’s only insulated dry-bag backpack cooler, has joined the ClassicS in sponsoring the Tropic Bay Kayak Fishing ClassicS tournament series. What started as a day pack double-lined with plastic trash bags to transform into a make-shift cooler to be filled with cold drinks and sandwiches on a hike, is now an ultimate cooler that can carry ice with the effectiveness of a hard cooler combined with the portability of a soft one.
The beauty of the IceMule cooler is that it won’t leak. Not even upside down. The seams are welded instead of sewn, and it contains no zippers. To close it, the material rolls down to an airtight closure. No water will get in, either, making it recognizable as a drybag that paddlers often use. It is made with a heavy duty vinyl material and the bottom is reinforced, ensuring that the bag will last for years.
The IceMule cooler can be worn like a backpack with its padded straps rather than lugging it around like a briefcase or needing another person to help carry it. Because the design allows for the weight to be evenly and comfortably distributed across the back, the capacity it can hold increases – Eighteen cans plus ice can fit into the cooler. The cooler has been tested many times over, including 100 degrees days on Florida beaches. Ice won’t melt for 24 hours even in such extreme conditions.
RiverBum Joins Kayak Fishing ClassicS
By; Katrinka Swenson, ClassicS Staff Journalist
Kayak Fishing ClassicS is pleased to announce that RiverBum Saltwater Flies has
Joined the “ClassicS as the Exclusive Saltwater Flies Sponsor.”
RiverBum is the maker and provider of some very fine saltwater flies and will being
Tying exclusive patterns for the ClassicS Tournaments, as well as providing their traditional saltwater patterns.
RiverBum, based out of Salt Lake, Utah has a strong focus on providing high quality patterns at very economical prices. What you might spend for a few flies elsewhere will buy you a pocket full of high quality RiverBum Saltwater Flies.
Winners in the Fly Fishing Division of the Kayak Fishing ClassicS Tournaments will receive a nice selection of RiverBum Saltwater Flies. Contestants’ flies will be packaged in a gift cup and individual packs of flies.
RiverBum Saltwater Flies were selected from several world renowned fly manufacturers. Their selection is attributed the RiverBum commitment to quality, selection and price control.
Saltwater fish are mostly toothy critters or they have crushers in their mouth, that destroy a well tied fly in no time at all. A cheap or poorly tied fly won’t last at all and that just isn’t good enough for our contestants. RiverBum is committed to supplying very high quality saltwater flies that stand up to the demands of saltwater fly fishing.
We are very happy to have the support of RiverBum Saltwater Flies and are sure our followers will also be.
Albright Fishing Products wins 2010 Angler’s Choice Award
By Katrinka Swenson (Staff Journalist)
Kayak Fishing ClassicS is proud to announce they have awarded Albright Fishing Products the 2010 Angler’s Choice Award for their fly rods.
The decision was made based on comparative performance as well as the reaction to the Fly Rods from the ClassicS’ anglers. The fly rods achieved their performance through a combination of quality materials, design engineering and craftsmanship.
What makes an Albright fly rod so great? The amazing in-hand feel and balance is sure to help the user when fishing from a kayak. The smooth power of the rod will help you land that big catch you want. The same performance is provided throughout all of Albright’s line of products.
Albright’s fly rods are made from premium materials that are smooth, powerful and precise. The fly rods feature numerous important qualities that make them stand out from their competition. This includes the placement and quality of guides and thread wraps, quality of reel seat, cork quality, high quality of graphite, proprietary taper, cast ability, achievable line speeds, presentation capabilities, workmanship, design engineering of ferrules, energy transference, ability to lift line, line load, finish, custom rod bag and case, and affordability.
For more information, visit Albright’s website at www. Albrightflyfish.com. To learn more about Kayak Fishing ClassicS and their tournament, go to www.KayakFishingClassicS.com.
©Copyright 2009, 2010, 2011 Tropic Bay® Kayak Fishing ClassicS®
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