NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (September 30, 2015) – Derek Engle, of Spring Hill, Florida, measured a combined limit of 45.25 inches to win the final regular-season event for the Florida East Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing on Sept. 28 at Fernandina, Florida. The angler won a total of $2,660, including a Power-Pole Micro Anchor for his first-place finish.
With no experience fishing in northern Florida and a good track record in Mosquito Lagoon, Engle decided to drive 2.5 hours south of the weigh in to fish the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon areas.
“I only found a couple of pre-fishing on Friday,” said Engle. “I went to a spot in north Mosquito Lagoon area that I like and was able to find semi-clear water on Saturday. I was able to get on about 20 to 25 different middle slot redfish. This gave me some confidence that I could find some middle slot fish there.”
The angler began competition Sunday morning in the northern portion of Indian River.
“One of my first ten casts, I missed a pretty large trout, maybe 25 inches,” said Engle. “I lost him but about ten casts later I was able to land my 20.25-incher.”
Engle attempted a quick upgrade for the next 15 minutes but was unsuccessful. After a 30 minute run back to the ramp, Engle loaded up and made the 15-minute drive to the northern Mosquito Lagoon.
“Once I got there I landed about a 22-inch red,” said Engle. “Maybe an hour later, I upgraded to my 25-inch red. That left me with about 45 minutes of fishing.”
Engle caught his trout on top-water baits and his redfish on soft plastics. Due to the long drive back to the weigh in, Engle shut down his fishing before noon. The decision to fish further south was one of the keys to his success.
“I was pretty confident in the area and thought I could get two fish,” said Engle. “I talked to a couple of guys who live up north who mentioned the flood tides and tough fishing. I decided to stick with what I know and just cut my fishing time down.”
Second-place finisher Miguel Pandich, of Palm Coast, Florida, measured a 19.38-inch redfish and a 23.50-inch trout, , which one him the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Trout award, along with $100 in Berkley products for catching his trout with Berkley Gulp!.
The angler concentrated on drops and cuts in the flats of the Tomoka Basin area with paddletails and Berkley Gulp!. Pandich won a total of $1,200 for his limit.
John Chapman, of Jacksonville, Florida, measured a combined total of 40.75 inches to take the $500 third-place money. Chapman also added $240 in Anglers Advantage cash.
Eleventh-place finisher Jake Bates won the $100 Junior Angler award for his 18.38 inches.
The next stop for the IFA Kayak Tour is Oct. 9-10 at St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana for the IFA Kayak Tour Championship. Anglers who enter a minimum of two events and compete in at least one event will be qualified for the 2015 IFA Kayak Tour championship.
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, BoatU.S., Amphibia, Arctic Ice, Protect the Harvest, General Tire, Bob’s Machine Shop, SuperClean, Mustang Survival, iON Cameras, Valley Fashions, ENGEL Coolers, Bulldog Folding Trailers, Hildebrandt, T-H Marine, ATLAS, G-Juice Powertex Group, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Fernandina Harbor Marina.
- IFA Kayak Tour – Florida East Division
- Fernandina, Fla. (Top 10)
- Derek Engle – 45.25 inches
- Miguel Pandich – 42.88 inches
- John Chapman – 40.75 inches
- Justin Rienerth – 37.50 inches
- James Miller – 21.75 inches
- Craig Van Brocklin – 21.00 inches
- Thomas O’Bryant – 19.75 inches
- Tim Stouder – 19.50 inches
- Lynneia Kollmorgan – 19.13 inches
- Steve Yurkevicius – 18.75 inches
