Recap of the 2^nd annual Extreme Kayak/Paddle Board Winter Classic Fishing Tournament

by; Maria B. Hector of ExtremeKayakFishing.com

The 2^nd annual Extreme Kayak/Paddle Board Winter Classic Fishing Tournament benefiting the Palm Beach Reef Rescue took place on Saturday March 24^th, 2012.

At 6a.m. the 67 registered anglers set off to sea by the Pompano Beach Pier. They were well fueled with Starbucks coffee and well prepared with bait provided by Atlantic Bait and Tackle and Aces Bait and Tackle. Complementary Doc’s Chum Bawls were also provided to all anglers.

Around 8a.m. we got news from our rescue boat provided by Atlantic Boat Rentals that Doug Perez landed a whopping 43.2lb Amber Jack. A man with a plan as Doug mentions “The AJs (Amberjack) started showing up heavy in February so I knew this was my target species from get go.“  Knowing that the current would be a bit strong to the north with a South-South East wind, Doug says “I knew I had to paddle way South before even attempting to go offshore so that I would drift right over the wreck perfectly with little paddling.” Doug had 2 jig "set-ups" ready to go. As he dropped his jig down he hooked up right away and yelled out "FISH ON"! As fast as he could say "FISH ON!" the fish was GONE… it had cut him off above the leader. “Must of been on the wreck or tail whipped my braid” Doug mumbled in frustration.

As a true sport fisherman he only looks at this as a challenge and after 30 minutes he grabbed his other rod and as soon as it hit the bottom “FISH ON!”  After a long battle and the current not being in his favor Doug saw the bubbles come up and realized “He's mine”! As the fish approached to the surface Doug observed that it’s the “biggest Amberjack I had ever caught!”

Doug fishes out of a Hobie Outback Mirage drive kayak from Nautical Ventures which is one of the leading sponsors of the event. The fish was so big and took up too much space he was no longer able to use his mirage drive forcing him to paddle back to shore in a 3mph current with “arms that felt like jello” he summed up. Luckily the safety Boat was nearby and took the enormous fish off his hands. To his surprise he landed a 6.2lb Dolphin in around 90ft of water “Icing on the cake for me!”  Doug went on to say and paddled back to shore.

Doug opened a well deserved cold beer provided by Budweiser and enjoyed grilled chicken burgers made by J.C. Wahoo’s when just minutes later last year’s winner Joel Makielski came to shore with another prized catch. He landed a 32.8lb Amber Jack. This huge fish secured him second place. His prizes included a plaque, $300 cash, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses worth $250, and a $50 gift certificate from Atlantic Bait and Tackle. Joel also took home $260 cash for being the winner of the Calcutta pot (Largest Amber Jack wins the pot). 

Chris Agardy was fishing on a Paddle Board and came in third place. He caught a 7.4lb Kingfish and a Mackerel making his total weight 10.4lbs. He took home a plaque, $100 cash, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses worth $250, $50 Gift Certificate from Bass Pro Shops, and a $25 gift certificate from Atlantic Bait and Tackle.

Our junior angler Hunter Irvine landed a 7.2lb Dolphin making him our fourth place winner. He was happy to receive a plaque and two Extreme Tournament Shirts.

Doug Perez was our Tournament champion with a total weight of 49.4lbs and he received a beautiful Trophy from Crown Trophies and Check for $1,000. He also won a pair of Costa Del Mar Sunglasses worth $250, $100 gift certificate from Atlantic Bait and Tackle, and an autographed copy from fishing legend Tom Greene “A Net Full of Tails”.

With another successful Tournament under our belt we are already actively planning for the next one. To check out pictures of past events and to get the latest information on dates etc. visit our web-site www.extremekayakfishing.com