Fifty anglers from 18 countries are gathering in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana this week for one of the greatest spectacles in kayak fishing: the Hobie Fishing World Championship. The action will play out at HobieFishingWorlds.com and the Hobie Fishing Facebook page. Click through for competitor bios and daily updates.
RELATED: Team North America Set for Hobie Fishing Worlds 6
The sixth edition of this spectacular Catch, Photo, Release (CPR), artificials-only test of angling skill will be contested over three days of competition and three iconic Gulf Coast species: redfish, sea trout and flounder. The playing field is as level as Hobie can make it. Every angler will fish aboard an identically and lavishly rigged Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14.
Here’s the schedule:
Tuesday Dec. 6: Lowrance Navigation Day and Pre-Fish Day
Wednesday Dec. 7: Power-Pole Pre-Fish Day
Thursday Dec. 8: Rhino-Rack Competition Day 1
Friday Dec. 9: Rhino-Rack Competition Day 2
Saturday Dec. 10: Rhino-Rack Competition Day 3
Three past world champions are taking their swings: Richard Somerton of Australia (2013); Steve Lessard of the USA (2014); and Xiaohong Ma of China (2015), defending titlist.
Given the history of the Hobie Worlds, the home team is favored. Only one visiting angler has pulled off a championship; Steve Lessard upset the homestanding Dutch in 2014.
The Hobie Fishing Worlds: The Five Past Years in Global Angling Competition
Year: Location; Fish Species; World Champion
2011: New South Wales, Australia; bream; Scott Baker of Australia
2012: Texas, United States of America; largemouth bass; Marty Mood of the USA
2013: Victoria, Australia; bream; Richard Somerton of Australia
2014: Vinkeveense Plassen, Netherlands; pike, zander, yellow perch; Steve Lessard of the USA
2015: Shang Lake, China; Chinese perch, topmouth culter, yellowcheek carp; Xiaohong Ma of China
