Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic

The 4th annual Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic promotes kayak fishing in Jacksonville with a fun conservation-oriented format and raises funds for children’s programs through Daniel Memorial. The premier ecotourism event also supports the St. Johns Riverkeeper and the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)

Officials expect that more than 200 kayak anglers will target Redfish, Trout, and Flounder in a catch-photo-release format with more than $50,000 in prizes and gifts. Last year’s Classic had a world’s largest attendance of 230 paddlers with more than $40,000 in prizes and gifts. The event raised over $18,000 for local children’s and conservation charities.

The captain’s meeting is scheduled for May 11 at Jacksonville’s Strike-Zone Fishing Center. Check-in, awards ceremonies, and a banquet are set for May 12 at American Legion #129 of Jacksonville Beach. The entry fee is $60 and includes a captain’s bag for the first 170 entrants, rights to fish, entry into the raffle and banquet. Anglers will be launching and fishing at any inshore location within Duval, Nassau, and St. John’s counties.

Trophies, kayaks, fishing gear and gift certificates will be awarded for first place through fourth place finishers in four open divisions and first place through third place in two fly fishing divisions. Divisions include: the redfish-trout-flounder slam, biggest redfish, biggest trout, biggest flounder, the redfish-trout fly slam, biggest red-on-fly and biggest trout-on-fly. There are also contingency prizes, awards for top Jr. Angler, top Lady Angler, a Mystery Fish prize, a raffle for the Best Dang Tackle Box, and raffles that include more than $20,000 worth of kayaks, equipment and tackle.

The event is co-sponsored by many of Jacksonville's fine kayak and fishing retailers, including Strike-Zone Fishing, Black Creek Outfitters, All Wet Sports, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Black Fly Outfitters, Aqua East, Salty Feather, Army Navy Outdoors, West Marine, and Thrifty Outdoors. Fifteen of the world’s leading fishing kayak manufacturers are also sponsors: Malibu Kayaks, Hobie Kayaks, Ocean Kayaks, Wilderness Systems Kayaks, Hurricane Kayaks, Perception Kayaks, Liquid Logic, Emotion Kayaks, Old Town Canoe&Kayaks, Heritage Kayaks, Advanced Elements, Cobra Kayaks, NuCanoe, Freedom Hawk Kayaks, and Slo-Mo Boats.

Many other prominent national tackle brands such as Shimano, Daiwa, Penn, Shakespeare, Temple Fork Outfitters, Guy Harvey, Patagonia, Berkley, Mirrolure, Costa Del Mar, Tsunami, Sure Catch Jigs, Lowrance and DOA Lures are also major supporters. The Outdoors Show, Florida Fishing Weekly, Florida Sportsman Magazine, Fishing Connection, Onshore-Offshore Magazine, Fly Fishing & Saltwater Magazine, Kayak Fisherman Magazine, Canoe&Kayak Magazine, Paddler Magazine, and Great Atlantic Outfitters are promoting and advertising the event.

Kayak fisherman can register online at www.JacksonvilleKayakFishingClassic.com or can also pick up an entry form at any of the sponsors’ locations. More information, complete rules, coupons, and prize details are also available online.