Columbia Sportswear Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic Announced for May 11-12
OutdoorHub 12.13.11
JACKSONVILLE, FL – December 13, 2011 – 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 11-12. The 8th 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 and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. The Columbia Sportswear Company, the global leader in active outdoor apparel, is the title sponsor.
Officials expect that once again 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 $80,000 in prizes and gifts. The Classic raised over $40,000 for local children’s and conservation charities.
The captain’s meeting is scheduled for May 11th at Jacksonville’s Ramallah Club. Check-in, awards ceremonies, and a banquet are set for May 12th at Jacksonville’s Ramallah Club. The entry fee is $75 and includes a custom Columbia fishing shirt, captain’s bag, rights to fish, entry into the raffles, and catered meals at the captain’s meeting and check-in banquet. Anglers will be launching and fishing at any inshore location within Duval, Nassau, St. John’s, Flagler, 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 $30,000 worth of kayaks, equipment, and tackle. Once again the Classic will feature the FishingNosara.Com Family Cup which awards the top fishing family with a week in Costa Rica.
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, Academy Sports, and AquaEast. The world’s leading fishing kayak and accessory manufacturers are also sponsors: Ocean Kayaks, Malibu Kayaks, Jackson Kayaks, FreedomHawk Kayaks, Native Watercraft, Emotion Kayaks, Cobra, Diablo Paddlesports, Accent Paddles, Malone, and KayakFishingSupplies.Com.
Many prominent national brands such as Costa Del Mar, Penn, Guy Harvey, St. Croix, Mirrolure, Fishbites, Bomber, Riptide, Slayer Lures, Polar Bear Coolers, and DOA Lures are also major supporters. The Outdoors Show, Florida Sportfishing Magazine, Florida Sportsman, Kayak Fisherman Magazine, KayakFishingMagzine.Net, 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 www.JacksonvilleKayakFishingClassic.com. More information, rules, and prize details are available online.
