MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. (Aug. 26, 2013) —- Brendan Bayard, of Baton Rouge, La., caught a redfish and speckled sea trout that measured a combined 64.88 inches in length to win the last regular-season event for the Louisiana Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing at Grand Isle, La., on Aug. 25.
Bayard adds this victory to his previous win at Cocodrie, La., and numerous top-three finishes. Traveling 10 miles round-trip, the angler fished for trout early only to be shut down by a storm.
“I fished for trout on top-water and caught a few, “ said Bayard. “Once the storm arrived, I hunkered down. I moved locations and started deep jigging for reds.”
The move paid off for the angler. His 45-inch redfish won the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Redfish award, plus a $100 gift card to Cabela’s, courtesy of Berkley, for catching his lunker with Berkley GULP!.
“I moved and jigged deep for reds on a shelf and hooked up with a 45-inch red,” said Bayard. “I was shaking when I caught it.”
After leaving the area, the angler upgraded his trout over oysters on tough water. Bayard also took home the $200 Hobie Top Angler award for having the highest placed finish for an angler competing out of a Hobie kayak.
Second-place finisher Steve Lessard, of Geismar, La., measured a 41.50-inch redfish and 15.88-inch trout to take home a total of $1,250 in cash. The angler fought rain and wind behind Grand Isle, fishing with Berkley Gulp! on jigs for redfish and popping corks for his trout.
Scott Harper, of Montgomery, Ala., took home the $500 third-place prize by fishing top-water baits. The angler added $221 in Angler’s Advantage Cash.
Seventh-place finisher Casey Brunning won the $100 Berkley Gulp! Trout award for his 20.75-inch trout.
The fastest-growing kayak fishing tournament trail in the country, the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing events are catch-photograph-release tournaments, offering inshore kayak anglers from a multitude of states the opportunity to participate in competitive fishing tournaments with low entry fees and minimal travel requirements.
For more information or to become a member of the IFA, visit www.ifatours.com. To discover more about kayaking and Hobie Fishing go to www.hobiefishing.com.
IFA events are made possible through the sponsorship and continued support of these well-respected brands: Hobie Fishing, Ranger Boats, Cabela’s, Lucas Oil, Yamaha Outboards, RAM, Berkley Gulp!, Berkley Gulp! Alive!, PENN Reels, Spiderwire, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Power-Pole, Livingston Lures, Amphibia, Arctic Ice, Protect the Harvest, General Tire, Bob’s Machine Shop, Blue Point Fabrication, Powertex Group and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Bridge Side Marina.
IFA Kayak Louisiana Division
Grand Isle, La. (Top 10)
1. Brendan Bayard —- 64.88 inches
2. Steve Lessard —- 57.38 inches
3. Scott Harper —- 55.93 inches
4. Brandon Barton —- 54.25 inches
5. John Kay —- 54.25 inches
6. Clayton Shilling —- 54.25 inches
7. Casey Brunning —- 52.00 inches
8. Lance Burgos —- 52.00 inches
9. John Bergeron —- 49.50 inches
10. Doug Menefee —- 45.75 inches
