2012 Forgotten Coast Kayak Fishing Classic

On April 13th - 14th, 2012, Forgotten Coast Kayak Anglers will be hosting their 5th annual kayak fishing tournament. This year the tournamant supports the Wakulla County Senior Services Center. The Center provides meals on wheels, elementary school drop off and transporation services throughout the Wakulla County. For more information and registration visit http://www.forgottencoastkayakfishingclassic.net/tournament.html

3rd Annual Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando Shad & Crappier Derby

This is the time of the year when Tom Van Horn, Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando Staff Writer, holds the annual Central Florida Shad and Crappie Derby. This is third year of this great fishing event. It is held from December 17, 2011 to March 17, 2012 in the Greater Orlando area.
This fresh water fishing tournament is a CPR event. That means each angler catches, photographs and releases each fish the angler catches. This tournament is absolutely free and is open to all anglers who register at any of the central Florida sponsor sign-up spots.

There are very few rules. Anglers can fish any location in the entire state of Florida. There is no fishing time limit. Fish when ever you want where ever you want. All registered anglers must log into and upload their catch photos to www.cfshadderby.com. All photos must be taken using the official derby measuring device and include the official derby sponsor token.

This can be a family event everyone can enjoy. So go to the derby home page and find a sign-up sponsor location and sign up. Remember the tournament is free.

Be safe in the Florida sunshine and have a great and safe day on the water.

Indian River Paddle Classic Results

The 3rd Annual Indian River Paddle Classic is now history. What another great event. Bryan Cheeks, tournament director, said "Congrats the to the 60 anglers competing in the 2011, 3rd Annual IRPC. On day made just for those fishing from a kayak. Without a ripple on the water and limited boat traffic, the fishing was surprisingly feast or famine. While some came back with stories of multiple large fish, others came back with nothing to brag about. Congrats to our "Kayak Kids" who were all given a medal and a new reel for participating!" Mosquito Creek Outdoors in Apopka donated two Engel ice chests, Florida and Florida State colors, and Coastal Charities and Strike Zone donated the yellow Ocean Kayak that were big raffle prizes.

Paddle Classic Tournament Results.

Redfish / Trout SLAM Category

1st Richard Zaremba
2nd Dilan Arnold
3rd Mitch Roffer

RED Category

1st Steve Gibson
2nd Doug Fisher
3rd Joyce Myers

TROUT Category

1st Nick Dyroff
2nd Jose Vidal
3rd John Dobbins

Lady Angler Award Elaine Christian

Jr. Angler Award Owen Wetzel

Visit http://www.indianriverkayakfishing.com/ for tournament phots and other information.

Solar Shield Sunscreen Test 09/29/2011

On September 29th, I set out for Sebastian Inlet around 9:00AM to test Solar Shield sunscreen and its affect on catching fish and killing live bait. I arrived at the Sebastian Inlet State Park around 10:15AM. It was sunny with a high temperature of 89 Degrees. There was a 20% chance of thunder storms. The wind was out of the east at 5 mph. I started fishing on the north side of the inlet on the beach. I used two surf rods. I opened one of the three sunscreen sample packets, see photo to the left and applied the sunscreen to my face, neck, arms and hands. I did not wash my hands after applying the sunscreen. I started the day using frozen shrimp on a two-hook pompono rig using the small 7'-0" rod. I applied sunscreen directly to the shrimp. See photo to the left. After my first cast, I caught a 12"-14" whiting which I returned to the sea. On my 12 foot surf rod, I was using a single hook set up and 2' square chunks of frozen lady fish. While fishing from the beach side, I did not catch any fish on the big surf rod and frozen lady fish. After about an hour, I caught a small stingray on the small rod using frozen shrimp that had been coated with sunscreen. After about 2 hours of fishing, I packed up and moved to fish along the channel inlet where it opens up into the the Indian River. I started with frozen shrimp on the small rod and caught many very small pin fish which I fed to the birds. Because I was able to net finger mullet, I switched to live bait. After putting the live finger mullet in to my bucket, I squeezed a packet of sunscreen into the live bait bucket. I took a live mullet from the bucket and tossed it out into the inlet using the small rod. After about 20 minutes, I caught a small 16" redfish. I released it back into the water. I rebaited my hook and tossed it out. I fished for another two hours with out any luck. I was fishing in an area where there were other anglers. During the time I fished, I could not see any other anglers catching fish. I stopped fishing around 3:30 PM. During my fishing, I did not see any affect on my live mullet or the ability to catch fish because I had sunscreen on my hands or in my bait bucket.

Hook & Tackle Solar System UV-40 Tee

Not all UV protective gear are perform equally. The new Hook & Tackle Solar System UV-40 Tee is the right shirt if you spend many long on the flats fishing.

Features:
UV 40 Sun Protection, Quick Dry Moisture Management, Odor Management. Available in Long sleeve, vented back and as a short sleeve pocket tee.

Content: Cotton-Rich Feel - Ultra Soft Solar System Fabric.

Colors: White, Sand, Sky Blue, Aqua Green, Sunrise and Banana

Size: M-2XL

Visit Hook & Tackle or your favorite fishng outfitter to get your shirt today.

http://www.hookandtackle.com/main.asp?sd=20060521120055&cat=20060520141226

ICAST Comes Back To Orlando, Florida

ICAST 2011 has ended in Las Vegas with great success. In 2012, ICAST will return to the Orange County Convemtion Center licated on International Drive. The following is a list of the 2011 Best In Show sportfishing products.

ICAST 2011 Overall Best of Show - Pure Fishing, Inc., Berkley Nanofil
Media Contact: Hunter Cole, 803-351-1550, whcole@purefishing.com

Best of Show – Apparel - Frabill, Inc., Frabill Suit
Media Contact: Jeff Kolodzinski, 262-707-0856, jkolodzinski@frabill.com

Best of Show – Boat - Hobie Cat, Hobie Mirage Revolution 11
Media Contact: Ingrid Niehaus, 949-235-7860, iniehaus@hobiecat.com

Best of Show - Boating Accessory - JL Marine Systems, Inc., 10 Ft Power-Pole Blade Edition
Media Contact: Robert Shamblin, 813-833-0597, robert@power-pole.com

Best of Show – Combo - Daiwa Corporation, Daiwa D-Shock DSH-4Bi Combo
Media Contact: Bill Liston, 704-773-6233, bliston@daiwa.com

Best of Show – Electronics - Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Humminbird 1158c DI Combo Media Contact: Steve Roth, 402-437-6418, steveroth@johnsonoutdoors.com

Best of Show - Eyewear – Costa, Costa Women’s Collection
Media Contact: Liza Jones, 864-270-0722, liza@fullcirclepr.com

Best of Show - Fishing Accessory - G. Pucci & Sons, Inc., P-Line Sparrowhawk
Media Contact: Stefano Pucci, 415-608-4252, fishpline@aol.com

Best of Show - Fly Fishing Accessory – VestPac, DriftPac
Media Contact: Paul Cherry, 704-437-, paul@vestpac.com

Best of Show - Fly Fishing Reel - Temple Fork Outfitters, BVK Fly Reel
Media Contact: Jim Shulin, 214-638-9053, collins@templeforkflyrods.com

Best of Show - Fly Fishing Rod - G. Loomis, Inc., Pro4x
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz, 574-289-1331, jpmazurk@ameritech.net

Best of Show - Freshwater Reel - Pure Fishing, Inc., Abu Garcia Revo MGX
Media Contact: Hunter Cole, 803-351-1550, whcole@purefishing.com

Best of Show - Freshwater Rod - G. Loomis, Inc., GL2
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz, 574-289-1331, jpmazurk@ameritech.net

Best of Show – Giftware - 3D Picture Store, Inc., 3D “Exploring Smallmouth” Picture
Media Contact: Jason Garstecki, 847-921-0760, jay@3dpicturestore.com

Best of Show - Kids’ Tackle - Pure Fishing, Inc., Casting Game & Sound Fishing Kit
Media Contact: Hunter Cole, 803-351-1550, whcole@purefishing.com

Best of Show – Line - Pure Fishing, Inc., Berkley Nanofil
Media Contact: Hunter Cole, 803-351-1550, whcole@purefishing.com

Best of Show - Hard Lure - Pure Fishing, Inc., Sebile D&S Crank
Media Contact: Hunter Cole, 803-351-1550, whcole@purefishing.com

Best of Show - Soft Lure - Koppers Fishing & Tackle Corporation, LIVE TARGET Hollow Body Mouse
Media Contact: Tom Chopin, 905-327-9095, tom@koppersfishing.com

Best of Show - Saltwater Reel - Daiwa Corporation, Saltiga SATG5000H
Media Contact: Bill Liston, 704-773-6233, bliston@daiwa.com

Best of Show - Saltwater Rod - Shimano American Corporation, Terez Rail Rod
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz, 574-289-1331, jpmazurk@ameritech.net

Best of Show - Tackle Management - Plano Molding Company, 4674 Hydro-Flo Tackle Bag
Media Contact: Sean Wheatley, 630-770-6562, swheatley@planomolding.com

Terminal Tackle – VMC, Spinshot
Media Contact: Jackie Kiklas, 952-5536, cmathieu@vmchooks.com

2011 Indian River Paddle Classic

Melbourne, Florida - The 2011 Indian River Paddle Classic has been scheduled for September 23rd and 24th. All proceeds collected from event registration fees and raffle tickets go to “Coastal Charities”.

Registration information and tournament rules can found on the Indian River Paddle Classic website www.indianriverkayakfishing.com or the Coastal Charities website http://www.coastalcharities.org

The mandatory captain’s meeting will be held at the Strike Zone store on New Haven Blvd. in Melbourne, Florida. During the Captain’s meeting refreshments will be served. A kayak fishing gear raffle will be held that night to rise additional for Coastal Charities. The tournament will be held on the 24th. The tournament is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. “Junior Anglers” are eligible to participate with a parent or legal guardian signature on the release form. Each entry fee includes rights to fish, post-tournament meal, 2 raffle tickets, t-shirt, and captain's bag.

Check-in will begin at 11am at The Lagoon House located at 3275 Dixie Highway NE, Palm Bay FL. Check in will be accepted for all anglers in line at the Lagoon House by 3:00pm. All competitors must check-in with their cameras by 3pm to be eligible for prizes. At check in you must indicate whether or not you are submitting your camera for review and fill out a scoring sheet. The post-tournament banquet, raffles, and awards ceremonies will begin at 4:00pm.

For further information please contact Robert J. Wiebel, Indian River Paddle Classic Organizing Committee at 4690 Decatur Circle, Melbourne, Florida 32934, 321-610-4885 or by email at Gamefish42@aol.com