4th Annual Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic - Confessions of A Tournament Newbie
Mark Dennis
May 13, 2007
I've been kayaking, and I've been fishing. I even go kayak fishing now and then. But I've never been to a kayak fishing tournament. Until now, that is. Someone once said that if you are going to do something, then do it big. That's why I entered the world's largest kayak fishing tournament, the Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic. Not only was this a well organized and positively fun event, but proceeds from the tournament also benefit a very worthwhile charity, Daniel Memorial. Organized by Mike Kogan and members of jaxkayakfishing.com, this event is definitely the "Mac Daddy" of kayak fishing tournaments! Don't tell too many people, but Jacksonville, Florida has some of the absolutely best inshore fishing on the entire planet. It is the perfect location for the world's largest kayak fishing tournament.
Upwards of 280 anglers participated in this year's event, and it grows larger each year. Here is just a glimpse of the crowd at the captains meeting & registration on Friday before the big day:
By the way, hats off to Terri and the waitstaff at Gene's Seafood on Beach Blvd. Terri and company were serving up food and beverages at lightning speed to this crowd during the captains meeting, and they never missed a beat. If you are ever in Jacksonville, add Gene's Seafood to your itinerary. They serve some of the best seafood in the region!
The captains meeting all by itself is a noteworthy event. After checking in with the registration folks, I received a great "captain's bag" stuffed full of free stuff, including a very cool t-shirt, lures, gulp baits, stickers and more. After enjoying a tasty fish sandwich at Gene's (along with a couple of frosty beverages), I joined Mike & crew outside as they kicked off the event with a rules review, followed by a prize raffle. They raffled off 100 or so items, all donated by local and national vendors. Raffle prizes included kayaks (yes, kayaks!), paddles, PFD's, sunglasses, rod & reel combos, nets, GPS units, and more. Yours truly was the lucky winner of a cool pair of Costa Del Mar "stringer" sunglasses. Between the captain's bag and the freebie shades, my $60 registration fee was more than recaptured, and I hadn't even gone fishing yet.
After the captains meeting / party, I still had to get home and load up the kayak. In spite of staying up just bit too late, I managed to make it out of bed at 4:30 a.m., and I was at my chosen fishing spot and ready to launch by sunrise at 6:15 a.m. This is a catch-photo-release (CPR) tournament, requiring anglers to record their catch on a digital camera. According to the rules, the first photo on the camera must be of your kayak, along with the official measuring tape and the "token" (in this case, a pair of dog tags from a local vendor). All fish must be photographed on the official ruler, with the event token visible. The token precludes the possibility of anyone sneaking in a photo of a previously caught fish.
One of the many challenges associated with kayak fishing tournaments is figuring out how to manage the ruler (basically a plastic tape affixed to a roll of flexible backing), the aforementioned token, and a slimy, uncooperative fish. Arranging all of these required items and taking a photo suitable for the tournament judges is quite a feat in itself! Thinking ahead just a bit, I went to my local home improvement store a few days before the tournament and constructed the wooden "measuring jig" you see pictured above. After receiving the ruler at the captains meeting, I attached it to the measuring jig the night before the tournament. I also attached the token to the jig to help minimize the possibility of dropping it in the water and losing it. I might not catch the winning fish, but at least I had one less thing to worry about.
After a rainy and windy week associated with a sub-tropical disturbance in the Atlantic, May 12 dawned calm if not clear. It was foggy, but the fish wouldn't mind a little fog. The weather forecast called for no rain and winds of only 5-10 mph; perfect fishing weather. Despite working the shallows and the creek channel, my day was off to a very slow start. Before I knew it, 11:00 had come along, without so much as a nibble or even the sight of a redfish tail. I was beginning to think my first kayak tournament was going to reward me with the smell of a skunk. Fortunately, this little spotted trout came along and saved me from that distinction. He wasn't legal size just yet and couldn't count for the tournament, but at least he was a fish:
At this point, I had abandoned the shallows and moved off to fish a deeper hole. If there was one trout, surely he had some friends nearby. A bit later, I was rewarded with a visit from my first redfish of the day:
Just touching 18 inches, he was barely legal, but at least he would count towards my slam if a sizeable trout and a flounder were to come along. Not 20 minutes later, Mr. Red's bigger relative dropped in:
At 23 inches, he wasn't a record breaker, but boy did he ever put up a fight! I just love catching redfish. They pull like freight trains. By now, I was running out of both bait and time. None of my artificial lures were drawing any strikes, so it was a good thing I brought along a dozen or so minnows. If I was going to make it back to the house in time for a quick shower and still make the deadline for check-in, it was decision time. I did a little trolling and casting as I made my way back to the launch area, but there were no more takers for the day.
Figuring my fish weren't likely to place me in the winner's circle, I still had time to jet home for a quick shower before heading to the check-in. The tournament entry fee included a delicious barbeque lunch, and there were more prizes to be raffled off, in addition to those awarded to the tournament winners. Besides, I had to find out how my fellow anglers fared in the competition. The check-in was every bit as much fun as the captains meeting. To see the list of tournament winners, visit http://www.jaxkayakfishing.com/may07results.html.
Now that I have the world's largest kayak fishing tournament under my belt, I can no longer claim to be a kayak tournament newbie. As with most new experiences, I came away from this one with a few lessons learned, based on my own experience and from observing others:
1. Don't paint your measuring jig with bright white paint. It plays havoc with the digital camera's contrast in bright sunlight.
2. Get your gear ready to go earlier than you think you should. The captains meeting and prize raffle the night before is lengthy, and you will regret it if you leave early!
3. Take the day off from work on the day prior to the tournament. You aren't going to be thinking about work anyway.
4. If you catch a fish that you think might put you in the running for a prize, head back in to the check-in earlier rather than later. In the event of a tie, the first one to check in wins.
5. Tournament rulers and tokens do not float.
This may have been my first kayak fishing tournament, but it certainly won't be my last. When is the next one?
Tight lines, everybody. See you on the water!
May 13, 2007
I've been kayaking, and I've been fishing. I even go kayak fishing now and then. But I've never been to a kayak fishing tournament. Until now, that is. Someone once said that if you are going to do something, then do it big. That's why I entered the world's largest kayak fishing tournament, the Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic. Not only was this a well organized and positively fun event, but proceeds from the tournament also benefit a very worthwhile charity, Daniel Memorial. Organized by Mike Kogan and members of jaxkayakfishing.com, this event is definitely the "Mac Daddy" of kayak fishing tournaments! Don't tell too many people, but Jacksonville, Florida has some of the absolutely best inshore fishing on the entire planet. It is the perfect location for the world's largest kayak fishing tournament.
Upwards of 280 anglers participated in this year's event, and it grows larger each year. Here is just a glimpse of the crowd at the captains meeting & registration on Friday before the big day:
By the way, hats off to Terri and the waitstaff at Gene's Seafood on Beach Blvd. Terri and company were serving up food and beverages at lightning speed to this crowd during the captains meeting, and they never missed a beat. If you are ever in Jacksonville, add Gene's Seafood to your itinerary. They serve some of the best seafood in the region!
The captains meeting all by itself is a noteworthy event. After checking in with the registration folks, I received a great "captain's bag" stuffed full of free stuff, including a very cool t-shirt, lures, gulp baits, stickers and more. After enjoying a tasty fish sandwich at Gene's (along with a couple of frosty beverages), I joined Mike & crew outside as they kicked off the event with a rules review, followed by a prize raffle. They raffled off 100 or so items, all donated by local and national vendors. Raffle prizes included kayaks (yes, kayaks!), paddles, PFD's, sunglasses, rod & reel combos, nets, GPS units, and more. Yours truly was the lucky winner of a cool pair of Costa Del Mar "stringer" sunglasses. Between the captain's bag and the freebie shades, my $60 registration fee was more than recaptured, and I hadn't even gone fishing yet.
After the captains meeting / party, I still had to get home and load up the kayak. In spite of staying up just bit too late, I managed to make it out of bed at 4:30 a.m., and I was at my chosen fishing spot and ready to launch by sunrise at 6:15 a.m. This is a catch-photo-release (CPR) tournament, requiring anglers to record their catch on a digital camera. According to the rules, the first photo on the camera must be of your kayak, along with the official measuring tape and the "token" (in this case, a pair of dog tags from a local vendor). All fish must be photographed on the official ruler, with the event token visible. The token precludes the possibility of anyone sneaking in a photo of a previously caught fish.
One of the many challenges associated with kayak fishing tournaments is figuring out how to manage the ruler (basically a plastic tape affixed to a roll of flexible backing), the aforementioned token, and a slimy, uncooperative fish. Arranging all of these required items and taking a photo suitable for the tournament judges is quite a feat in itself! Thinking ahead just a bit, I went to my local home improvement store a few days before the tournament and constructed the wooden "measuring jig" you see pictured above. After receiving the ruler at the captains meeting, I attached it to the measuring jig the night before the tournament. I also attached the token to the jig to help minimize the possibility of dropping it in the water and losing it. I might not catch the winning fish, but at least I had one less thing to worry about.
After a rainy and windy week associated with a sub-tropical disturbance in the Atlantic, May 12 dawned calm if not clear. It was foggy, but the fish wouldn't mind a little fog. The weather forecast called for no rain and winds of only 5-10 mph; perfect fishing weather. Despite working the shallows and the creek channel, my day was off to a very slow start. Before I knew it, 11:00 had come along, without so much as a nibble or even the sight of a redfish tail. I was beginning to think my first kayak tournament was going to reward me with the smell of a skunk. Fortunately, this little spotted trout came along and saved me from that distinction. He wasn't legal size just yet and couldn't count for the tournament, but at least he was a fish:
At this point, I had abandoned the shallows and moved off to fish a deeper hole. If there was one trout, surely he had some friends nearby. A bit later, I was rewarded with a visit from my first redfish of the day:
Just touching 18 inches, he was barely legal, but at least he would count towards my slam if a sizeable trout and a flounder were to come along. Not 20 minutes later, Mr. Red's bigger relative dropped in:
At 23 inches, he wasn't a record breaker, but boy did he ever put up a fight! I just love catching redfish. They pull like freight trains. By now, I was running out of both bait and time. None of my artificial lures were drawing any strikes, so it was a good thing I brought along a dozen or so minnows. If I was going to make it back to the house in time for a quick shower and still make the deadline for check-in, it was decision time. I did a little trolling and casting as I made my way back to the launch area, but there were no more takers for the day.
Figuring my fish weren't likely to place me in the winner's circle, I still had time to jet home for a quick shower before heading to the check-in. The tournament entry fee included a delicious barbeque lunch, and there were more prizes to be raffled off, in addition to those awarded to the tournament winners. Besides, I had to find out how my fellow anglers fared in the competition. The check-in was every bit as much fun as the captains meeting. To see the list of tournament winners, visit http://www.jaxkayakfishing.com/may07results.html.
Now that I have the world's largest kayak fishing tournament under my belt, I can no longer claim to be a kayak tournament newbie. As with most new experiences, I came away from this one with a few lessons learned, based on my own experience and from observing others:
1. Don't paint your measuring jig with bright white paint. It plays havoc with the digital camera's contrast in bright sunlight.
2. Get your gear ready to go earlier than you think you should. The captains meeting and prize raffle the night before is lengthy, and you will regret it if you leave early!
3. Take the day off from work on the day prior to the tournament. You aren't going to be thinking about work anyway.
4. If you catch a fish that you think might put you in the running for a prize, head back in to the check-in earlier rather than later. In the event of a tie, the first one to check in wins.
5. Tournament rulers and tokens do not float.
This may have been my first kayak fishing tournament, but it certainly won't be my last. When is the next one?
Tight lines, everybody. See you on the water!
Nice article, Mark. I'm glad you had a great time!
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First, great article! It was my first tounament too. You capture the feel of it.
Second, nice ride! I also pedal a hobie.
Thirdly, I can confirm that the token does not float! If any one finds mine at low tide please mail them to me.
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Great article! You captured the passion of the tournament, and you come across as a good guy who loves to fish. Keep writing. You have the gift.
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What a great review and you nailed it to a tee. This was my 4th event and I still get excited.
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Very good article. It is very informative. Thank you so much for posting this kind of information.
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