NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (September 1, 2016) – James Miller, of Jacksonville, Florida, measured a combined limit of 67.00 inches to win the second 2016 regular-season event for the Florida East Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie® Fishing on August 28 at New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
After fishing the IFA Kayak Tour the past four years, Miller posted his first tour victory at New Smyrna Beach. The angler began his day around Ponte Vedra in search of a keeper trout.
“I concentrate on trout first because I like to catch them on top-water early in the morning,” said Miller. “I didn’t have any luck with the top-water but did see baitfish being blasted close to the shore.”
Miller changed tactics and rigged up a four-inch Berkley Gulp! pearl white swim mullet.
“I caught a decent redfish right away,” said Miller. “I did not have any weedless hooks and kept getting snagged in the grass. I was confident I could catch a big redfish in the area so I stayed at it and eventually landed a 41-inch redfish.”
With a large redfish in the books, Miller returned to targeting trout and quickly hooked into a 26-incher with just a few casts.
Both of the angler’s fish were caught on Berkley Gulp! baits and a PENN Reel, giving Miller the Berkley Gulp! Big Trout award, Berkley Gulp! Big Redfish award and the PENN Reel contingency awards. In total, Miller took home $3,140, including $390 in Anglers Advantage cash and $250 from Power-Pole.
Ty Nelson, of Gulfport, Florida, adds a second-place finish to his two previous IFA Kayak Tour wins. The angler fought tough winds but credits the conditions for stirring up the bite.
“I did not expect it to be blowing like it was, but it did seem to get the bite going,” said Nelson. “It made maneuvering my kayak difficult, but my Power-Pole Micro helped me make it through the day.”
Nelson traveled more than 10 miles in his kayak, fishing in Mosquito Lagoon. The angler boated a 23-inch trout and 40-inch redfish by sight-casting paddle tails. Nelson won the $1,000 second-place prize and added $200 in Anglers Advantage cash.
Third-place finisher Conner Jones, of Orlando, Florida, measured a combined total of 54.25 inches to take home $240 in cash. Jones sight-fished with paddle tails and top-water baits in Mosquito Lagoon.
“I fished hard,” said Jones. “Unfortunately, the two guys in front of me showed up to the weigh-in with some very impressive numbers.”
Seventh-place finisher Derek Engle won the $100 Run with Lucas Oil cash.
The next stop for the IFA Kayak Tour is Sept. 11 at Sarasota, Florida, where the winner will qualify for the upcoming 2016 Hobie Fishing World Championship. The international event will feature 55 of the worlds best kayak anglers competing for the world title in Louisiana, Dec. 4-11. IFA Kayak Tour 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.
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 Kayak Tour – Florida East Division
New Smyrna Beach, Fla.*
James Miller – 67.00 inches
Ty Nelson – 63.00 inches
Conner Jones – 54.25 inches
Darren Frost – 51.38 inches
Dustin Braghan – 49.25 inches
Thaddeus Day – 49.13 inches
Derek Engle – 48.50 inches
Scott Stevens – 47.75 inches
Justin Ritchey – 45.00 inches
Jake Bates – 44.25 inches
