2010 Columbia Sportswear Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic Agate Results

JACKSONVILLE, FL - MAY 8, 2010 - OFFICIAL RESULTS

Hobie Kayaks Slam
1 – Ryan Conner – 60.1" (30” Red, 17.1” Trout, 13” Flounder)
2 – Troy James – 58.6"
3 – Chris Frickker – 57.8"
4 – Alex Crotzer – 57.1"
5 – Dan Arvin – 55.8"

Malibu Kayaks Biggest Redfish
1 – Larry Wagner – 30.4"
2 – Louis Lawrence – 29.75"
3 – Chris Fergusen – 29.0"
4 – John Chapman Sr. – 29.0"
5 – Greg Chapman – 27.8"

Ocean Kayaks Biggest Trout
1 – Adam Boyd – 26.5"
2 – Mark Couch – 24.9"
3 – Bradford Lydick – 23.6"
4 – Tommy Samuels – 20.6"
5 – Mitch Granat – 19.6"

Emotion Kayaks Biggest Flounder
1 – Luke Shaw – 19.2"
2 – Doug Rohan – 19.2"
3 – Jessica Parker – 17.6"
4 – Jerry Bryan – 17.1"
5 – Benton Parrott – 16.4"

Emotion Kayaks Junior Angler
1 – Luke Shaw
2 – Daniel Ganoe
3 – Dru Chapman

Blue Storm Lady Angler Award – Melita Ganoe
Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Senior Angler Award – Dan Arvin
Black Fly Outiftter Fly Angler Award – Troy James
Tsunami Fishing Contingency Awards – Dravid Trafton, Vince Josaphs
Hoosier Paddler’s Best Dang Tackle Box – Nolan Berry
Strike-Zone Fishing Myster Fish – Matt Thayer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE from the desk of Mike Kogan

Children’s Charities Win Big at 2010

JACKSONVILLE, FL - MAY 8, 2010 – The kids at Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville and Daniel Memorial won big at the 2010 Columbia Sportswear Kayak Fishing Classic as 430 kayak anglers raised over $42,000 for the local children’s charities and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. The catch-photo-release charity event, run by JaxKayakFishing.com, is the world’s largest kayak fishing event for the fifth consecutive year.

"We are thrilled to be associated with such a world-class event, and want to thank the kayak anglers, sponsors, and everyone that made the Classic happen for their generous support ", said Jeff Leach Board President, and Debbie Revels, Executive Director of DSAJ. Tournament director Mike Kogan stated, “Every year we are overwhelmed at the incredible turnout – even in these challenging economic times the surge in participation from the anglers and sponsors points to continued strong growth for kayak fishing and great community support.”

The 2010 Classic was led again by the title sponsorship of Columbia Sportswear, whose focus on products that allow people to enjoy the outdoors longer and more comfortably is a perfect match for kayak fishing. According to Columbia Sportwear VP of Global Sales Mitch Fields, “Events like the Classic are an ideal way for us to work with local charities in conservation-oriented outdoors activities while featuring our outdoors Performance Fishing Gear like the Superlight Blood & Guts apparel line.

Columbia was joined by other industry leaders such as Ocean Kayaks, Malibu Kayaks, Emotion Kayaks, Hobie Kayaks, Wilderness Systems, Cobra Kayaks, Native Watersports, Pure Fishing, Costa Del Mar, and Accent Paddles. The Classic also pulled together all of Northeast Florida’s kayak and fishing retailers led by Strike-Zone Fishing, Black Creek Outfitters, All Wet Sports, and Dick's Sporting Goods to name just a few of the over 90 sponsors. Kogan related “the great efforts of our volunteers and the kayak fishing community combined with the generosity of our terrific sponsors continue to make the Classic an unqualified success. This year we had over 150 anglers travel from around the country including a huge contingent from Texas and even a group from England as well.”

Ryan Conner of Fernandina Beach, FL claimed the top prize in the Hobie Kayaks slam division, winning a fully-rigged Hobie Mirage Pro Angler fishing kayak. He fished near Fernandina Beach in “Ryan’s Creek” en route to his 60.1” winning slam, which consisted of a 30” red, a 17.1” trout, and a 13” flounder. Conner was closely followed by a cadre of Jacksonville anglers including fly angler Troy James with 58.6”, Chris Fricker with 57.8”, Alex Crotzer with 57.1”, and senior angler Dan Arvin with 55.8”.

Adam Boyd of Jacksonville won the Ocean Kayaks trout division with a 26.5” trout on a day when the trout bite was challenging. Top redfish honors went to tournament newcomer Larry Wagner of Jacksonville with a 30” red and he scored a Malibu Stealth kayak. Leading the way in the Emotion Kayaks flounder category was fourteen year-old Luke Shaw of Palm Valley with a 19.2” flattie. Another highlight of the flounder division was seeing nine year-old Jessica Parker take third place with a 17.6” flounder.

Luke Shaw was also the Emotion Kayaks Junior Angler and Melita Ganoe won the Blue Storm Lady Angler award. Dan Arvin took Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Senior Angler honors and Troy James won the Black Fly Outfitter Fly Angler and placed second overall using fly tackle only.

All winners and placers also received Polar Bear Coolers, gift certificates from Strike-Zone Fishing, Black Creek Outfitters, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kayak Fishing Supplies.Com, and subscriptions to Florida Sportfishing magazines.

For more results and information about next year's Classic visit Jacksonville's kayak fishing community at www.jaxkayakfishing.com. A media and press image preview package is available online.

Special thanks go out to the volunteers and over 90 sponsors who supported the Classic including: Columbia Sportswear, Strike Zone Fishing, BlackCreek Outfitters, Accent Paddles, Cobra Kayaks, Costa Del Mar, Malibu Kayaks, Emotion Kayaks, Advanced Elements, Wilderness Systems Kayaks, Ocean Kayaks, Native Watercraft, Hobie Kayaks, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Black Fly Outfitter, All Wet Sports, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Purefishing, Great Atlantic Outfitters, Slayer Lures, Bending Branches, FishingNosara.Com, Creative Feathers Studio, Outdoors Show, BullFrog, Mirrolure, Daiwa, DOA Lures, Calcutta, Crack of Dawn, MTI, Surf To Summit, Malone Auto Racks, KayakFishingSupplies.Com, Kayak Amelia, Florida Sportsman, Kayak Fisherman Magazine, B&M Bait&

Tackle, Talic, RAM, Polar Bear Coolers, Otter Box, Scotty Rod Holders, Daiichi Hooks, Hook1, GearKeeper, Slayer Lures, Fishbites, ThermaCELL, Penn Fishing, Exude Mister Twister, Kayak Angler Magazine, Gulp, Fenwick, Stohlquist, AquaEast, Bite-A-Bait, Wheeleez, White Shell Bait&Tackle, Arlington Bait&Tackle, Extrasport, Carlisle, Tilley Hats, 3^rd Grip CrateMate, Precision Pak, 321

Fish.Com, Fisherman’s Seafood & Bait, YakLife.Com, TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group, AT Paddles, Wang Anchors, Yak-Gear.Com, Skwoosh, Helter Skeletons, Florida Sportfishing Magazine, IrishWaterDogs.com, Aquabound, Bluestorm, Stowmaster Nets, St. Croix Rods, Heddon, StandNFish.Com, FlyFishingJax.Com, QuickSlide Stringers, Qualia Fishing, ZackTack, RodWrap.Com, FINS Braid, WiiDoSolar, IceMule, BackwaterFishingAdventures.Com, First-Light USA, RodOarPaddle.Com

, Coastal Angler Magazine, Kayak Fishing Magazine, Emmrod, FindMeSpot, IFA Kayak Fishing Tour, FlyFishingJax.Com, Sticky Fingers BBQ.