NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (October 13, 2015) – Benton Parrott, of Daphne, Alabama, measured a combined two-day total of 121.38 inches in length to win the 2015 IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Championship presented by Hobie Fishing at St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, on Oct. 10. The angler won the first-place prize of a Hobie Mirage Pro Angler kayak, valued at $2,549, and a Power-Pole Micro Anchor.
Not only did Parrott’s win give him back-to-back championship titles, it vaulted him to the top of the 2015 IFA Kayak Tour Angler of the Year (AOY) year-end standings. The AOY award paid Parrott an additional $1,000.
“To win the championship and the Angler of the Year award means the world,” said Parrott. “ Those are coveted titles. That’s what I work for all year.”
During his pre-fishing sessions, Parrott was unable to locate any trout. Going into the two-day tournament, the trout bite was his biggest concern.
“That really put pressure on me,” said Parrott. “I felt everyone would have good reds.”
On day one, Parrott’s concerns were not unfounded when he failed to find any trout early in the day. With a spot for bull reds in mind, Parrott made the move to a different location.
“I went out and found the area and immediately located a school,” said Parrott. “Literally, the first cast I made, I caught a 41.75-inch red on Berkley Gulp!. I had made a deal with myself that after the first 40-inch red, I’m out of there.”
The angler loaded up and began to make the 45-minute trip north to launch in the marsh.
“I jumped in several spots along the way but couldn’t find fish,” said Parrott. “I started fishing the wind-blown banks on one spot that I felt the bait would be pushed. I was throwing soft baits right against the bank and finally caught a couple of trout.”
After fishing the area until early afternoon, the angler loaded up and headed to the weigh in with 59 inches.
“Usually, 59 inches will put you in the top 10,” said Parrott. “I didn’t know that everyone else was going to have a tough day too. I was extremely fortunate to pull first place on day one.”
Feeling the pressure to perform, Parrott headed back to the same waters for day two but didn’t waste more than 15 minutes looking for trout before heading to his bull red area.
“There were two other competitors on the spot but they couldn’t find the school,” said Parrott.
After locating the school, Parrott pulled a few mid-sized redfish from the school but continued to fish for an upgrade.
“I drifted past and threw beyond them,” said Parrott. “That’s when I hit the 44.3-inch red. Once I had it, I knew a 15-inch trout could win it.”
However, with a switch in wind directions, the angler failed to find a bite at his previous trout area.
“I saw diving birds off in the distance,” said Parrott. “I hate chasing birds but I needed to get a speckled trout to get my fourth fish.”
After catching the birds, Parrott hit a school of trout where he pulled more than 20 fish.
“I culled through them until I got a 14-inch trout, which put me at over 58 inches,” said Parrott. “Now the pressure is off, I’ve got two fish. At that point, I started hitting islands.”
Parrott worked a top-water bait on the calm side by throwing into the waves and working it past the point. On the windward side, he tossed a soft plastic against the edge and managed to upgrade with an 18-inch trout.
Along with contingency winnings and his AOY award, Parrott took home a total of $9,396 for the championship event.
Steve Lessard, of Geismar, Louisiana, measured a combined two-day total of 113.88 inches to take second place and $1,752 in winnings. A consistent winner fishing from his kayak, Lessard is also a past IFA Kayak Tour Champion and won the 2014 Hobie Fishing World Championship event in the Netherlands.
Lessard jigged Berkley Gulp! deep for his reds and threw top-water baits for trout in the Grand Isle area.
Third-place finisher Brendan Bayard, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, measured a combined total of 113.25 inches, just .63 inches shy of second place. The angler faced a tough bite and only boated one redfish on day one.
“That was clutch on day one for the last minute redfish,” said Bayard. “But, I was happy with my trout fishing.”
Bayard won the $1,050 third place prize and added $228 in Anglers Advantage cash.
While most kayak anglers are finished with competitions for the season, three IFA Kayak Tour anglers are gearing up for the upcoming Hobie Fishing World Championship, Nov. 9-15 on Shang Lake, China. Benton Parrott, Steve Lessard and Dave Jaskiewicz will join 44 international competitors from 19 different countries to vie for the title of world champion.
The IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing continues to draw inshore anglers from Texas to the Carolinas with five different divisions, each with a two-event regular season. With budget-friendly entry fees, the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour offers opportunities to compete close to home while keeping anglers’ expenses to a minimum.
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, Rocky & Carlo’s, St. Bernard Parish, Docville Farm and Breton Sound Marina.
IFA Kayak Championship
St. Bernard Parish, La. (Top 10)
- Benton Parrott – 121.38 inches
- Steve Lessard – 113.88 inches
- Brendan Bayard – 113.25 inches
- Elliot Stevens – 111.13 inches
- Marty Mood – 109.38 inches
- Craig Brown- 109.13 inches
- Ryan McNeal – 107.88 inches
- Landon Mace – 107.88 inches
- Aaron Clay – 107.75 inches
- Lance Burgos – 106.50 inches
