EKFT Summer Slam Part 1

jcanracer

First of all, congrats to all the winners on Saturday and a big Thank You Joe Hector and EKFT team for putting on another great event.

Results:

1st - Jim Jobson (34.6lbs) -$5,000.00 (Turbo USA) & Trophy from (Global Fishmounts)
2nd - Benny Townend (20.1lbs) - HOBIE OUTBACK KAYAK (Nautical Ventures)
3rd -Ahmad Vazquez (19.6 lbs) - HOBIE REVO KAYAK (NAUTICAL VENTURES)
4th - Benny Scoca (18.1 lbs) - $1,000.00 (POMPANO FORD)
5th - Michael Wood (17.9lbs) - Sea Ghost Vibe Kayak worth $899
6th - David Gauzens (17lbs) - $500.00 (POMPANO FORD)
7th - Frank Troppe (15.7lbs) - Hobie Livewell worth $300
8th – Jon Venarchick (13lbs) - COSTA Glasses worth $250
9th – Marcos Baldo (11.9lbs) - $100 AFTCO Gift Certificate
10th – Christopher Crawford (10.1lbs) $50 Gift Certificate to Houston’s
Benny Townend - (20.1lbs) - $2,000 RAILBLAZA Kingfish Calcutta
DIVISIONS:
Ahmad Vazquez - (19.6lbs) - $500.00 YakAttack Tuna Division
Justin Rienerth (15lbs.) - Trash Can Slam - Trophy and Costa Sunglasses
Ahmad Vazquez - $300 Vibe Kayaks Prize Pack
​Jeff Forand - Sailfish Division

To be perfectly honest, it was a hard day of fishing as you can tell by the low weight numbers listed above. We kicked off at 7am and many anglers headed south in anticipation of the brutal 2mph current ripping north. Many kingfish were caught in the first 3 hours, I've also heard that some big tuna were lost during this time too. By 10:15am the clouds were rolling in and it was evident that we were in for some inclement weather. The next 4 hours were filled with rain, wind and strong current. A few anglers were rescued, some beached themselves to avoid the storm, and I was the idiot who tried to go deep to jig for tuna in the rain. By the time I was in 300ft I was jigging in the rain with very limited visibility and nothing biting. I made the slow and arduous trek back to the beach and arrived just in time for the weigh in.

If you've got 6 minutes to kill, here's my video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ymeVT0GQqs

John McKroid

Good Report and video.:thumbsup Congratulations to all the winners !

Sorry to see that the sailfish got away -- The tournament boat might have taken some good photos for you. Is a sailfish still on your bucket list ? If you just could have caught one more of those kings -- would have put you in the money.

jcanracer

Hey Thanks John. Yes the sailfish is my kayak unicorn; I always get close, but never land it. I think my problem is that I never remember to keep the drag loose and I almost always pull the hooks out (especially since I hook them with kingfish stinger rigs instead of a good circle hook).

I'm considering the second summer slam tournament, but it all depends on timing and finances.

palmbeachpete

You will do better in the next tournament.
Now go out there and get that sail.
:Griz

John McKroid

jcanracer wrote: »

Hey Thanks John. Yes the sailfish is my kayak unicorn; I always get close, but never land it. I think my problem is that I never remember to keep the drag loose and I almost always pull the hooks out (especially since I hook them with kingfish stinger rigs instead of a good circle hook).

I'm considering the second summer slam tournament, but it all depends on timing and finances.

I rarely fish for Sails, and they are always an incidental on a kingfish stinger rig -- usually wrapped on the bill. Sounds like you know what you need to change....when a fish has a lot of line in the water, the drag has to be backed off, or it will break off. We need to get that off your unicorn list... msg me the next time you go offshore.

jcanracer

John McKroid wrote: »

I rarely fish for Sails, and they are always an incidental on a kingfish stinger rig -- usually wrapped on the bill. Sounds like you know what you need to change....when a fish has a lot of line in the water, the drag has to be backed off, or it will break off. We need to get that off your unicorn list... msg me the next time you go offshore.

Sure thing John, as soon as this weather gets more predictable.

kayakerinkeywest

Good job on sticking it out. Got some action in so that makes a worthwhile day. Keep on tweeking stuff and you will get that Sail.