Wrap Up 5th Annual CBKA Tournament September 10th 2016

Another Chesapeake Bay Fishing Tournament in the books. For me it was great to be out on the water with my kayak after two and a half months due to relocating and my truck having mechanical issues. Living now in South Eastern Delaware it was a pleasure to have half the driving distance to the venue on Kent Island Maryland. This was my third year to be present at this beautiful venue.

Preparation:

It was the first kayak haul for my new 2016 F150. I took the Friday off from work which worked out as I was able to get my new truck bed cap installed at the ARE Dealer, Trick Trucks in Millsboro DE. Previously had removed the Thule rack in anticipation of installing it on the new cap asap. It took me around an hour to drill and bolt on the rack to my new cap. It was now pretty set for kayak hauling. I loaded up and let around 3:50 PM to arrive at the venue around 6:00 PM.

Arrival:

Upon my arrival meeting up with Joe Hostler. Checked in and received my captains bag stocked with goodies. Then awaited the captains meeting. After sitting trough that went to the field to set up my tent. The day was a scorcher at 95 degrees and high humidity. As the sun set during the potluck dinner which I provided some tuna mac with crab salad. All of the potluck food brought by others was excellent as always. Joe’s mac salad was amazing along with various other items such as jalapeno poppers, chicken wings, and a crab mac & cheese dish.

As the evening set in the temperature leveled at about 86 degrees as the humidity shot through the roof. The conditions were not the best to be camping but made the best of it. Sat in the truck air conditioning for a bit. Finally going to the tent around 12:00 am. Some of the guys were still up hanging out and apparently were until around 3 am.

Tournament Day:

The morning came fast. Sounds of alarms and others waking from camp. It was still dark but not for long. I went over and met Joe at his cabin grabbed some coffee and rigged up a few rods. We were probably the last to launch but it worked out because driving to the drop in was simple. Rather than loading up the kayaks and walking then there on kayak carts. Hitting the water we immediately started fishing for bait. In these areas Spot are an excellent source of bass bait. Spot can be gathered using a small 1/0 Octopus hook a small bit of weight and a fish bite or small piece of blood worm.

After about a dozen or so spot and catching small white perch at the same time we trolled over to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in search of solid fish marks on the chart plotter. By this time the wind had kicked up from the southeast and it was rocking and rolling out there. Live lining for bass was non eventful after a few hours. The stripers just didn’t seem to cooperate on the live bait.

Attempted trolling for hours catching one small striper around 17″. We went back at catching perch with an attempt to place in that category but could only manage fish up to 8″. We fished the entire time and missed the weigh in but were sure we had nothing that qualified for placing in the tournament anyway. It was a great day to be out on the water doing what I love the most.

The awards ceremony commenced and as always is very well put together. A representative from the make a wish foundation was present and spoke a little bit about the charity followed by a tear jerking video of a boys wish to take a trip on a US aircraft carrier. They really do amazing things for these kids whom unfortunately endure a lot of pain and suffering. This is what we do it for!

If you have never attended the Chesapeake Bay Kayak Anglers tournament come next year and check it out. Hang with a bunch of friendly kayak anglers.

Wrap Up: 9th Annual Point Pleasant Beach Elks Kayak Fluke Tournament

The 9th Annual Point Pleasant Beach Elks Kayak Fluke Tournament again was a success this year. With 50 registered anglers topping previous years numbers by about 15 anglers! It was a hot day in the 90’s but definitely late July fishing weather. Since Jersey Paddlers closing The Kayak Fishing Store agreed to sign on as the kayak division main sponsor. Without them and a few other sponsors such as Orion Coolers, Yak Gear, and Yak Attack it would not be possible to have prizes for those who entered and also benefit the selected charity. Heroes On The Water was the 2016 charity the tournament benefited.

See the results at www.KayakFlukinNJ.com!

Save the Date for the 10th Annual in 2017! Hope to see you on July 22nd 2017!!!

Wrap up: Delaware Paddlesports Demo Day April 23 2016

Good times with Delaware Paddlesports Crew! An overcast but warm day is actually better for a kayak demo day! I can remember sunny days in July the heat, humidity, and sun causing borderline heat stroke.  I will take a cloudy day any day!! Working with Jackson Kayak Dealers is a major responsibility of the Pro Staff Team. 

This was the first of 3 demo days that Delaware Paddlesports had scheduled for 2016. It was great to meet many new and seasoned anglers looking to demo new kayaks for the season! DPS had available just about every kayak in their shop along with Hobies and Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs). Demo days are great in the sense that you can try out many different boats in a day. This way you can get the feeling of how a boat functions to your comfort level and style of fishing. The ability to test first hand how a kayak reacts with maneuverability, stability and overall how the boat fits you. It also enables questions to be answered by industry professionals.

I also enjoy demo days as it gives me a chance to paddle new kayaks for the year from all manufacturers. Paddling all different kayaks is a plus. This way I can answer questions industry wide.

It was great hanging with the DPS team and Kelly Fischer a great guy and the Manufacturers Sales Rep for Outdoor Products from Astral Buoyancy, Liquidlogic, Shred Ready, Native Watercraft, Hurricane Kayaks, and H20 Gear.

Unfortunately I was supposed to finish this article a few weeks ago. The May 21st Demo Day was cancelled due to inclement weather. The next Demo Day is scheduled for June 11th.

Hopefully you can make it out to the next demo day! Delaware Paddlesports offers specials on accessory’s if you purchase a kayak at a demo day. Also remember Delaware is a Sales Tax free state.