by Dan Carns
Once again Gulf Coast Kayak is hosting Lee County’s 15th Annual Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament on December 8th in beautiful Matlacha, FL. This is an unusual event as you are allowed to fish anywhere in Lee County and as many of you know, Lee County is a paddler’s paradise. Our shallow water fisheries are feed by deep cut passes and channels that are in turn lined with oyster beds and pot-holed grass flats, so all three target fish, snook, redfish and spotted seatrout can be found within a short paddle distance. This is a great event for novice and experienced anglers alike, as the entrance fee is very low compared to boat tournaments and the catch, photo, release rules are easy on the fish!
Tournament fishing can be very competitive, but the kayak fishing community is very laid back, so the mandatory Captain’s Meeting is usually a fun evening of food and drinks followed by a reading of the rules. As I have fished both boat and kayak events, kayakers are far more inclined to discuss tactics, lures or bait choices (never locations) and are, in general, much more forthcoming with general suggestions for the new comers and especially to younger anglers who can partake in this event with an adult present! I encourage anyone with a fishing pole and a kayak to try this tournament, but there are a few things to consider. Do you have a spare fishing pole in your car/truck in case of breakage? If the fishing is not panning out as planned, do you have a backup location you can move to in a hurry and are you prepared for unforeseen issues, i.e.; flat tire, construction traffic, dead camera battery, I think you get the idea. The Captain’s Meeting will go into the night, so don’t plan to go home and get your gear ready for the morning. All your line should be new with lures and leaders tied on and if you’re buying bait, call the day before so you’re not waiting for them to open only to find out they don’t have any! You could be on the water for a long time, so make sure you’re covered up; long sleeve SPF shirts and fast dry pants, a floppy hat to shield you from the sun. Pack snack food to keep your energy level up, freeze your water bottles, and take a moment or two to get out of your kayak to stretch and relax, remember this supposed to be fun. Do not miss weigh-in, (Keith), after all your planning and time fishing, plan for the time it takes to paddle back and drive if you’re across town. Proceeds from this event go to Candlelighters of Southwest Florida, whose mission it is to provide a network of support for families and their children who suffer from blood disorders and cancer. To register or find tournament information go online @2018calusabluewaykayakfishingtournament.evenbrite.com
It’s A Wild World-Get Out There!
Fishman Dan