By Wendy Biles
September has arrived and in Florida, that means the start of several kayak bass fishing clubs to kick off their season. After a long, hot summer, I get excited about being on the water when the temperature drops to a more comfortable level. Even though I wore out my rods, reels and tackle this summer, it’s time that I start cleaning my gear, checking for faulty rods or reels, adding new line, putting new sharp hooks on and restocking my BlackPak Pro (big box by YakAttack which holds everything nicely) ensuring that I will be tournament ready.
There are 4 important things I consider well in advance before tournament season. No. 1: Educate. As with any club, it’s important to read or re-read the rules for the upcoming season as many times small adjustments may have been made based on issues that came up the prior season. I calendar all of the tournament dates so that I can plan and prepare for each tournament I want to fish. I also follow the club’s social media platforms and ask any questions I have to the tournament director. No. 2: Budget. Learning from experience, I budget for my membership fees and the monthly tournament dues. It’s not nearly as expensive as a bass boat tournament, but it’s easier on the wallet when I plan ahead. Not to mention the cost of gear… which I would spend on my love for fishing anyway! No. 3: Organize. It is so important to organize my tackle so that I can easily access what I need while on the water. Besides my BlackPak Pro which also doubles as a 4-rod holder, another useful tool is my YakAttack TrackPak Combo which holds my frequently used items right at my fingertips. Things like soft plastics, scissors, pliers, sunscreen and even snacks are stored right by my seat.
No. 4: Necessities. In a kayak tournament, it’s always important to make sure I have the approved measuring board and I’m so excited that this year the new YakAttack Leaderboard has been approved for my club. I also need to have the proper identifier in my kayak or already on my board before the day of the tournament. Since we typically launch before daylight, I will make sure my YakAttack Visi-Carbon Pro flag and light are in working order since these are required by law. Before the tournament, I need to double-check for updates on the tournament fishing app to make sure my location services are turned on and it will allow my photos to be uploaded properly during the tournament. Fishing Chaos and Tourney X are the platforms we use. Lastly, in addition to always having a whistle, I wear my PFD from the moment my kayak enters the water until the moment I step back onto land when the tournament is over. Failure to do so will lead to disqualification!
With starting a new season, there are always new anglers to join the club. This makes me so excited to see our sport grow and it’s nice to offer tips, advice, and my own experience to help new anglers understand the art of kayak tournament fishing. I think all of us dream about the thrill of winning, but honestly for me, the excitement is just getting out on the water, fishing and competing with like-minded anglers. Being a part of a fishing club brings fun, friendships, and even a peace of mind that I’m not alone on the water. Here’s to a safe and fun season!
