We asked the six USA competitors some questions just before they fly to the Netherlands for the Hobie Fishing World Championship IV. The competitors are on the edge of their seats waiting for their chance to compete against some of the top kayak anglers from around the world. Are they prepared? What can we expect from these top anglers? Find out what they said when we interviewed them before the tournament starts.
Justin Carter, Hobie Fishing Team Member and Captain of Team USA, is ready for his rematch. While his incredible Day 1 victory in last year’s Hobie Fishing Worlds was a shocker, the change in tournament location stopped Carter’s momentum in a tragic way. Now he returns with more ambition to prove himself, and without the change in location he will be a competitor to keep an eye on.
We had a small window to ask him some questions as he was wrapping up 7 rods for the long 9+ hour flight to the Netherlands.
How do you feel about the practice period?
Thank you Hobie staff for allowing us to practice (he laughed, apparently thrilled). If there wasn’t any practice period there would not be an even playing field. Also, having no practice on the lake for any of the competitors for 30 days will make it even more even. But what I am most thrilled about is not having the location change that threw me off last year. I am really looking forward to getting on the lake to test some ideas.
Are you going to be using any specific techniques and lures in the tournament?
I’m not really sure, but I will have a better idea once I fish on the practice day. My main patterns will be slow moving techniques for zander like slow trolling soft plastics along the bottom. Pike seem more aggressive, so I may use larger baits like big swimbaits and jerkbaits. The perch are my last consideration as they seem the easiest to catch. Small spinners and small artificials will be on at least one of my lighter rods.”
How do you feel about Team USA?
I feel like the team is a solid group of anglers. They have proven themselves as qualified anglers among excellent anglers across the country. Collectively, we will share information about each particular species and figure out what to use. Competing in a tournament without much knowledge on each fish species and the lake we are fishing is going to be the greatest challenge. But any angler on Team USA has the ability to overcome this obstacle.
Justin is a competitor at heart. His angling skills along with being a team player have built a foundation of several tournament victories. Since last year’s World Championship, Carter’s attitude has changed! He is confident and excited to ‘bring the heat’ while maintaining consistency as an angler and a team member.
To learn more about Justin and the Hobie Fishing World Championship IV, visit: http://www.hobiefishingworlds.com/.
