JACKSONVILLE, FL - January 22, 2010 - JaxKayakFishing.com, Northeast Florida's online kayak fishing community, has again announced plans for the world's largest kayak fishing tournament to be held in Jacksonville, Florida on May 7-8. The 7th annual Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic promotes kayak fishing in Jacksonville with a fun conservation-oriented format and raises funds for children's programs at the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville, Daniel Memorial and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. The Columbia Sportswear Company, the global leader in active outdoor apparel, is the title sponsor.

With over 175 anglers onboard via early registration officials expect that more than 350 kayak anglers will target Redfish, Trout, and Flounder in a catch-photo-release format with more than $80,000 in prizes and gifts. Last year’s Classic had a world’s largest attendance of 430 paddlers with more than $75,000 in prizes and gifts. The event raised over $40,000 for local children’s and conservation charities.

The captain’s meeting is scheduled for May 7 at Jacksonville’s St. Ephrem Syriac Catholic Church. Check-in, awards ceremonies, and a banquet are set for May 8 at Jacksonville’s St. Ephrem Syriac Catholic Church. The entry fee is $60 and includes a captain’s bag with a tournament tshirt, rights to fish, entry into the raffles, and banquet. A special VIP entry for $110 is also available that additionally includes a new-technology custom-embroidered Columbia Blood and Guts Superlight fishing shirt and a Norton Brass Rattler Fish Grip. Anglers will be launching and fishing at any inshore location within Duval, Nassau, St. John’s, Camden, and Glynn counties.

Trophies, kayaks, fishing gear and gift certificates will be awarded for first place through fifth place finishers in four open divisions. Divisions include: the Redfish-Trout-Flounder slam, biggest Redfish, biggest Trout, and biggest Flounder. There are also contingency prizes and awards for Jr. Angler, Lady Angler, Sr. Angler, Fly Angler, a Mystery Fish prize, a raffle for the Best Dang Tackle Box, and raffles that include more than $20,000 worth of kayaks, equipment, and tackle.

The event is co-sponsored by many of North Florida’s finest kayak and fishing retailers, including Strike-Zone Fishing, Black Creek Outfitters, Gander Mountain, Dick’s Sporting Goods, All Wet Sports, Black Fly Outfitters, and AquaEast. The world’s leading fishing kayak and accessory manufacturers are also sponsors: Hobie Kayaks, Malibu Kayaks, Ocean Kayaks, Emotion Kayaks, Native Watercraft, Cobra, Wilderness Systems Kayaks, Accent Paddles, and Malone.

Many prominent national brands such as Costa Del Mar, Penn, Daiwa, Guy Harvey, St. Croix, Tilley Hats, Tsunami, Mirrolure, Fishbites, Slayer Lures, Polar Bear Coolers, and DOA Lures are also major supporters. The Outdoors Show, Florida Sportfishing Magazine, Florida Sportsman, Kayak Fisherman Magazine, Kayak Angler Magazine, Coastal Angler Magazine, Fishing Connection, Canoe&Kayak Magazine, Paddler Magazine, and Great Atlantic Outfitters are promoting and advertising the event.

Kayak fisherman can register online at http://www.JacksonvilleKayakFishingClassic.com or can also pick up an entry form at Strike-Zone Fishing, Black Creek Outfitters, All Wet Sports, and Gander Mountain. More information, rules, and prize details are also available online.

Sponsors for the 2010 Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic include: Columbia Sportswear, Strike Zone Fishing, BlackCreek Outfitters, Gander Mountain, Accent Paddles, Hobie Kayaks, Cobra Kayaks, Costa Del Mar, Malibu Kayaks, Emotion Kayaks, Advanced Elements, Wilderness Systems Kayaks, Ocean Kayaks, Native Watercraft, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Black Fly Outfitter, All Wet Sports, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Purefishing, Great Atlantic Outfitters, Slayer Lures, Bending Branches, FishingNosara.Com, Creative Feathers Studio, Outdoors Show, Florida Fishing Weekly, BullFrog, Mirrolure, Daiwa, DOA Lures, Calcutta, Crack of Dawn, MTI, Surf To Summit, Malone Auto Racks, KayakFishingSupplies.Com, Kayak Amelia, Florida Sportsman, Kayak Fisherman Magazine, B&M Bait&Tackle, Talic, RAM, Polar Bear Coolers, Otter Box, Scotty Rod Holders, Daiichi Hooks, Hook1, GearKeeper, Pier 17, Slayer Lures, Fishbites, ThermaCELL, Penn Fishing, Exude Mister Twister, Kayak Angler Magazine, Stohlquist, AquaEast, Bite-A-Bait, Wheeleez, White Shell Bait&Tackle, Arlington Bait&Tackle, Extrasport, Carlisle, Tilley Hats, 3rd Grip CrateMate, Precision Pak, 321Fish.Com, Fisherman’s Seafood & Bait, YakLife.Com, TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group, AT Paddles, Wang Anchors, Yak-Gear.Com, Skwoosh, Helter Skeletons, Florida Sportfishing, IrishWaterDogs.com, Aquabound, Bluestorm, Stowmaster Nets, St. Croix Rods, Heddon, StandNFish.Com, FlyFishingJax.Com, QuickSlide Stringers, Qualia Fishing, ZackTack, RodWrap.Com.

Interview and Public Relations Contact:
Mike Kogan
JaxKayakFishing
PO Box 330465
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
O: 904.382.5007
E: mike@JaxKayakFishing.com
W: http://www.JaxKayakFishing.com

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Awesome! Can't wait to fish my first kayak tournament. Just signed up, paid up and now I can't wait to get out there. Great event going to a great cause!

Greg

just signed up! hope I win something good! Good luck to everyone else entered.

Did a few stats from the entry list.

Kayak anglers from 13 states and the United Kingdom .
Texas represents the most entrants from out of state with 25, followed by Georgia with 16, S.C. with 10, and the UK 4.
24 Jr Anglers (18 & under)
30 Sr Anglers (60 & over)
40 Lady Anglers
(this is just from the current list and will change)

This is the biggest one yet folks, and it should be a lot of fun!!