A few anglers from the Tampa Bay area made the drive south to try their luck fishing those waters that we have heard so much about.
Team Heritage ( Cubs and Wadefisher ) a local team of outstanding anglers who can catch more fish than all of us together was there to let us know who rules the Pine Island fishing kingdom
Team Emotion Kayaks ( Adam, John - JKL, and Mark - Saltwater Cowboy...he's the guy wearing the funny looking cowboy hat
) came down in full force.The new Wilderness Systems Kayak Fishing Team ( Toddlle, MarkM, and Jason from Canoe Country Outfitters ) were also present and ready to put some slime on their brand new, colorful kayaks. Erick was the missing link, as he decided to surprise his wife with a trip to Vegas which apparently he thought was better than fishing with his friends
Last but not least, there were these two guys who recently created a Team named Long Ashes ( Vercetti and Mako ), and who can really kick some butt when it comes to kayak fishing
The event promised to be an interesting one because of the format selected by the organizers and the good fishing reports from the area. The tournament was an "inch by inch" style in which the longest fish of "any" species earned points. Needless to say, the list of species caught included catfish, lizardfish, ladyfish, pinfish, mangrove snapper, flounder, and even a puffer fish ( which by the way, took a little chunk off my hand while trying to set him up for the picture)
But don't let this list of fish fool you in any way. There were a few slams and a good number of snook, reds, tarpon and trout caught and lost...right Toddlle?. The fishing in the area was just outstanding with plenty of flats, mangroves, little creeks and channels to search for fish. Some people decided to fish the north side of the island, others went south, some preferred to stay in the Matlacha Pass, but wherever it was the fish were there.
People from Matlacha and surrounding areas are very nice and hospitable. They love to chat and make one feel welcomed. Most of the boaters will slow down when they see a kayak and they'll wave at you before resuming normal speed. There were of course a few exceptions but I think those came down from Tampa Bay
All in all, it was a great weekend and I will definitely do it again next year. Thanks to all who put this event together
Here's some pictures of the event and the results (I think I got it right; otherwise, feel free to correct any errors)
First Place Individual with 114 points and 6 species caught was Cubs
Second Place Individual with 112 points was Flats1
Third Place Individual was Vercetti with 106 points and 6 species caught. There's no picture of him because they gave me 3rd place in error. Unfortunately, Jon writes like a doctor and he got a number 7 added as a 1. All was clarified to the judges and he ended up going home with a nice set of Bending Branches paddles.
Top Lady Angler
Top Junior Angler
Top Team was Long Ashes...I told you before these guys are good
Toddlle and Jason also won prizes for largest fish (Todd, was it snook or red?) and most species caught
Dinner at the Captain's meeting at the Sun and Moon Inn
...there's the guy with the funny looking cowboy hat
Toddlle holding a prefishing day redfish
did anyone say barracuda?
this little guy was caught twice...once on Friday while I was prefishing and then on Saturday by Vercetti during the tournament...same size, same place
the tackle box at the Sun and Moon Inn
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