By KFC Staff Journalist

The Kayak Fishing ClassicS held their 2^nd annual Tarpon Fever Classic on June 4^th and was hosted by The Old Salty Dog restaurant on City Island, Sarasota, Florida. The Classic included Spotted Seatrout, Redfish and of course the Silver King as the guest of honor. The anglers were not disappointed by the King, Long Live the King.

Launch time was at 5:30 AM from City Island on Sarasota Bay and the contestants paddled out into a bit of a breeze that calmed as the sun came up. The anglers headed out in search of the target species into a beautiful sunrise.

The FWC Research Institute provided tarpon DNA kits to all of the contestants to take samples which provide a ‘fingerprint’ on each tarpon. The data is used to help determine general health and tracking of each tarpon. The anglers only brought juvenile tarpon alongside for samples as the big Silver King could easily upset a kayak.

The contestants also enter their catch information on all of the species at the Angler Action Organization’s website which is a part of the Snook & Game Fish Foundation. They use the data for similar purposes in their conservation efforts.

Around 9:15 AM Bob Bramblet checked in, finished for the day, unusual for any tournament angler. Bramblet scored his trout and then his redfish very early and moved on to hunting the King. Bob attributes his early success to having used Ocean Waves Sunglasses which allowed him to spot the fish in low light of the early morning. Bob spotted some tarpon on the flats and went after them. He cast a D.O.A. Bait Buster and hooked up immediately. The hook up and jump photos were taken to score the tournament points and the fish was released.

Bob Bramblet came in to the weigh in unknowingly the winner of the Tarpon Fever Classic. He did an interview with Capt. Pat Horrigan, NTD of the ClassicS and relaxed in the shade as the other contestants were still in pursuit of the mighty Silver King.

Weigh In began at 1:00 PM and Awards Ceremony took place at 1:30. Fifth Place Winner was announced and Kelly Phillips was nicely rewarded for his efforts. Mark Knowles, the defending national champion scored a highly respected Fourth Place and stayed near the top of the Series Leader Board. Next came Third Place and Will Mallet was announced as the winner. Will weighed in (photo) a 26” Spotted Seatrout. That’s a nice trout! It was down to the wire and Bramblet had not yet heard his name ring out. Next was the announcement for Second Place and William Lusk was called upon and was also nicely rewarded. Bramblet began to get nervous as he had no idea of what was about to happen. Had he made a mistake in coming in so early?

Capt. Pat then made the announcement for First Place and Bob Bramblet’s name came out loud and clear. He had just won the Tarpon Fever Classic and huge points toward his position on the board. Bob won a kayak full of gear as did the other top five anglers. Bramblet was all smiles, of course. He had just taken over First Place in the Series Lead with his victory over a very talented field consisting of some of the very best kayak anglers from along the Gulf Coast.

Congratulations Bob Bramblet in your Win at the Tarpon Fever Classic. You can see more about the ClassicS Tournament Series at www.KayakFishingClassicS.