Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic Set for May

Canoe & Kayak Paddling News
2/12/2008

JaxKayakFishing.com, Northeast Florida's online kayak fishing community, has announced plans for the world's largest kayak fishing tournament to be held in Jacksonville, Florida on May 2-3.

The 5th 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 and Dignity-U-Wear. The premier eco-tourism event also supports the St. Johns Riverkeeper and the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA).

Officials expect that more than 250 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 282 paddlers with more than $50,000 in prizes and gifts. The event raised over $22,000 for local children’s and conservation charities.

The captain’s meeting is scheduled for May 2 at Jacksonville’s Strike-Zone Fishing Center. Check-in, awards ceremonies, and a banquet are set for May 3 at American Legion #129 of Jacksonville Beach. The entry fee is $60 and includes a captain’s bag, rights to fish, entry into the raffles, 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 the fly fishing division.

Divisions include: the redfish-trout-flounder slam, biggest redfish, biggest trout, biggest flounder, and the redfish-trout fly slam. There are also contingency prizes, awards for top Jr. Angler, top Lady Angler, top Sr. Angler, a Mystery Fish prize, a raffle for the Best Dang Tackle Box, and raffles that include more than $15,000 worth of kayaks, equipment and tackle.

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.

The event is co-sponsored by many of North Florida’s finest kayak and fishing retailers, including Strike-Zone Fishing, Black Creek Outfitters, Army Navy Outdoors, Sunjammers, Gander Mountain, Dick’s Sporting Goods, All Wet Sports, Black Fly Outfitters, Salty Feather, and AquaEast. The world’s leading fishing kayak and accessory manufacturers are also sponsors: Hobie Kayaks, Accent Paddles, Malibu Kayaks, Emotion Kayaks, FreedomHawk Kayaks, Perception Kayaks, and Wilderness Systems Kayaks.

Many prominent national tackle brands such as Costa Del Mar, Okuma Fishing, XTools, Penn, Daiwa, Shimano, Guy Harvey, Tilley Hats, Sealife Cameras, Berkley, Mirrolure, Tsunami, Lowrance and DOA Lures are also major supporters. The Outdoors Show, Florida Fishing Weekly, Kayak Fisherman Magazine, Fishing Connection, Canoe&Kayak Magazine, Paddler Magazine, and Great Atlantic Outfitters are promoting and advertising the event.

See the results from the Kayak Fishing Classic.