PORT ARANSAS, Texas (April 3, 2016) – Home cooking helped Rene Lopez of Port Aransas top all comers at the recent IFA Kayak Tour event in Texas. Port Aransas local Lopez fished the east flats for a 34-inch redfish and 19-inch sea trout, for a 53-inch winning total good for $2,550 in winnings. It was the first event of the Texas division.
Lopez enjoyed nice conditions and clean water as well as a west wind. It was his second IFA Kayak Tour event win. “Prefishing paid off,” he said.
Second place angler Shane Okrasinksi was just three-quarters of an inch behind on the strength of a 32-inch redfish and 20.25-inch sea trout. He used a popping cork and Berkley Gulp bait to earn his $1,350 in prize cash.
David Norris was third with a 49.5-inch total based on a 30-inch redfish and 19.5-inch sea trout. Norris said the wind was a bit higher than expected, causing some difficulties early. “I hoped to get the win but I felt good about the finish,” he said. Norris took home $533.
James Tesch Jr. scored the big redfish of the day at 35 inches, worth $500.
The next stop for the IFA Kayak Tour is the Atlantic Division kick-off May 1 at Georgetown, South Carolina. Anglers who enter a minimum of two events and compete in at least one event will be qualified for the 2016 IFA Kayak Tour championship.