Wow, what a response. I'm very well aware that you can catch & release trout during closed month. It just surprised me that they scheduled the tournament during that month. I apologize if anyone looked too deeply to pull out some sort of opinion from my statement. If it makes everyone feel better, I'll probably be fishing the event with many of you. We'll just leave it right there.

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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
-- Thomas Jefferson

Gasman...yes I had a bad day, menopause or something like that. Just wanted to keep this post on the topic of the IFA/Hobie Kayak Tourneys. As you can see, there are 18 events scheduled in multiple states, with boat anglers on saturday and kayak anglers on sunday. I'm sure the IFA and Hobie try to take everything into account. I know I wouldn't want to deal with all the venues and set up that schedule, trying to think of what effect this date may have at this city. Man, I wouldn't have time to fish. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler

I heard they are allowing the use of bait in the IFA tournaments? IMO it really needs to be artificial only. Anyone knows if this is true?

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I talked with Jerry at the IFA and the big deals that we needed more information on are as follows:

$100 entry fee

No distance requirements just be back in time to measure fish

Bait and artificial

No more lie detector test

And there is a guess on the location of the Championship but its no official yet.

Live Bait! You've got to be kidding me. What is this a charity tournament? My belief is that there will be some serious kayak fishermen that will not enter since they are allowing live bait. On the other hand, there will be bait chunkers entering that probably wouldn't enter if it was artificial only. I wonder what the HCKA and Paddlefish members will think about that, they only use artificials in their club tourneys. Hey Chappy, how much money do I need to send so you can start stocking up on the Blue Crab and we'll just drift in the St. Johns for the Bulls and win some money or yaks. How boring that will be. I thought the IFA and Hobie were serious about this??? I can bring up plenty of finger mullet for us! I wonder if the IFA will still have the rule that you can only have 1 line in the water?

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Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler

Yes there will be a one line in the water rule from what I've heard, so no trolling with the popping cork and working the bank with the other rod.

Hey Jeff...they have the IFA/Hobie Kayak site up now, even with a forum. Just read the rules and they still have the polygraph rule...which I heard was to be removed since they are allowing live bait?????

Here's the site URL

http://www.ifakayakfishingtour.com/

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Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler

They have "A" polygraph rule. That means if you are "questionable", then you will get tested.

I have a little insight into this as I have been working with them on measuring devices 321FIsh.com is a sponsor.

From what I understand the lie detector test is still something that can be administered as they see necessary rather than as an automatic. I can understand it being automatic if you win a $30,000 boat or a $10,000 cash prize but becoming an as needed tool with the smaller prizes in the kayak event.

As for the bait rules I completely understand where they are at on it. If the lie detector test becomes optional then the rules in their formula have the potential to be "abused" more - so what you do is try to find a balance between rules that are actually enforceable and those that are not, and without a lie detector there is no way to enforce an articifial only rule. Also while some "hard core" folks may pass because bait is allowed perhaps more folks will enter because of the rule - it is very difficult to quantify which rule brings more entrants which is what any organizer would like to maximize.

I like that they have gone to a single division 2 fish rule similar to the IFA tour rules, only using a red and a trout instead of two reds. It simplifies a lot and these species are common at all the tourney venues. I'm not sure how they restructured the prizes but I am guessing they will do the 3 kayaks for the top 3 followed by a cash payout, and offer cash for the biggest red and biggest trout, or they will do the pro angler for first place followed by cash and use the other 2 kayaks for the biggest fish prizes.

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"This is my signature not my facebook page."

The rules are going to be what they are and if I want to fish the tournament I will abide by them as I always do. Honest verification of a fish being caught on an artificial is no different than honest verification that a contestant only had one line in the water at a time. Therefore, if they want balance, then the IFA should delete the one line in the water rule. As for me, I just like to express my thoughts when I commit to participate. Now, Let's go Fish and may the best contestant win. (P.S., that doesn't include Chappy )

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Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler

The IFA added three new rules to the list regarding the point system, championship qualifications and angler of the year qualifications.

http://www.ifakayakfishingtour.com/menu/rules.html

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Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler

The Tournament Brochure is up and can be downloaded for entry submission. It lays out the prizes and $$$$$ amounts paying out to twenty places, with a "Big Red" and "Big Trout" bonus. Looking pretty good!

http://www.ifakayakfishingtour.com/menu/brochure.htm

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Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler

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FL EAST COAST DIVISION
FEBRUARY 28 .... JACKSONVILLE, FL
MAY 2 ...............TITUSVILLE, FL
OCTOBER 10 ......FERNANDINA BEACH, FL


The 28th of next month, who's gonna take the hometown prize???

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After extensive, diligent, and scholarly research, there is NO evidence that life should be so serious.

U14.5

T120

Hey All!! We are so excited about our upcoming IFA Jacksonville Kayak Fishing event. If you would like to have some IFA Kayak Fishing Tour brochures in hand, let me know and I will get them out to you asap! We also ask that anyone who knows they are fishing the event to please pre-register. We always like knowing a round a-bout of how many we are expecting at each event. To pre-register you can go to ifakayakfishingtour.com, call either Lee Causey(478-836-4266) or myself (941-266-5338) or mail/fax the registration form of the brochure to us. Here are the details for the Jacksonville event:

Saturday, Feb 27
Registration(6 – 7 pm) & Captain’s Meeting (7 pm) @ Sister’s Creek
Food will be provided by Sunset Grille
Sunday, Feb 28
Weigh-in will take place at the
Hampton Inn
4690 Salisbury Road
Jacksonville, FL

Hotel Info: Rates at the Hampton for anglers at $59.00, mention the IFA

We look forward to meeting you all this year!! If you have any questions, please let me know.

Christy Schad
Inshore Fishing Association
941-266-5338