NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (May 17, 2016) - Owen Caraway, of Spanish Fort, Alabama, caught a combined limit of 48.00 inches to win the first 2016 regular-season event for the Louisiana Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing on May 15 at Lafitte, Louisiana. The angler won at total of $1,750, including a $250 Power-Pole gift certificate for his first-place finish.
In his first year fishing IFA Kayak Tour events Caraway fought the wind and muddy waters to locate some quality fish in an area three to four miles from the launch site. Knowing the weather was going to worsen as the day went on, Caraway concentrated on catching his trout first.
“I caught two trout in the first ten minutes using Berkley Gulp! shrimp,” said Caraway. “Luckily the second fish was a really nice fish so I could concentrate on finding redfish the rest of the day.”
It took Caraway four hours to find a pool of clear water that was loaded with redfish, and within a few minutes the angler landed his winning fish, a 33-incher on a ΒΌ-ounce spinner bait.
“When I found the pool of fish I knew I had to capitalize on it,” said Caraway. “I only had about 30 minutes to fish before I had to head back to the weigh-in. The fish were in about eight inches of water. I saw a big one and went after him.”
Even though this was the angler’s first time to fish an IFA Kayak Tour event, the 19-year-old Caraway is no stranger to either kayak fishing or to the Louisiana gulf.
“I have been kayak fishing since I was twelve years old,” said Caraway. “I fish Louisiana quite a bit and this weekend was by far the toughest conditions I’ve ever fished. The IFA tournaments are awesome.”
Gordon Bahan, of Metairie, Louisiana, won second place with a 16.25-inch trout and a 26-inch redfish. The angler took home $1,375 for his efforts, including $375 in Anglers Advantage cash.
Third-place finisher Lance Burgos, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, measured a combined total of 41.75 inches to take home $375 in cash.
Fifth-place finisher Shane Coleman’s 16.75-inch trout won the $100 Berkley Big Trout Award while eighth-place finisher Clayton Shilling won the $100 Berkley Big Redfish Award for his 35.50-inch Redfish. Bryson Hatcher finished in ninth place and took home the $100 Jr. Angler award with Elliot Stevens winning the $100 Run with Lucas Oil cash.
The next stop for the IFA Kayak Tour is August 7 at Houma, Louisiana. Anglers who enter at least a minimum of two events and compete in at least one event will be qualified for the 2016 IFA Kayak Tour championship.
IFA Kayak Tour – Louisiana Division
Lafitte, LA. (Top 10)
1. Owen Caraway – 48.00 inches
2. Chuck Bahan – 42.25 inches
3. Lance Burgos – 41.75 inches
4. Marty Mood – 41.25 inches
5. Shane Coleman – 34.13 inches
6. Brendan Bayard – 32.25 inches
7. Elliot Stevens – 30.50 inches
8. Clayton Shilling – 35.50 inches
9. Bryson Hatcher – 30.50 inches
10. Steve Lessard – 28.75 inches
