Roger Bump Wins IFA Kayak Tour Event at Savannah, GA
OutdoorHub 08.07.13
Roger Bump, of Jacksonville, Fla., caught a redfish and speckled sea trout that measured a combined 58.50 inches in length to win the last regular-season event for the Atlantic Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing at Savannah, Ga., on Aug. 4.
Bump, a veteran of the IFA Kayak Tour, won the $1,500 first-place prize along with $455 in Angler’s Advantage cash. The angler also took home the Hobie Top Angler award for having the highest placed finish for an angler competing out of a Hobie kayak. Bump’s 38-inch redfish earned the angler the $100 Berkley Big Redfish award, plus a $100 gift card to Cabela’s, courtesy of Berkley, for catching his lunker with Berkley GULP!.
Fighting windy conditions, Bump fished in the Jacksonville area with top-water baits for his redfish but couldn’t find the bite.
“I started with top-water,” said Bump. “But the deeper water pattern was the bite, so I made the change.”
Second-place finisher Elizabeth Saylor, of Jacksonville, Fla., measured a 27-inch redfish and 24-inch trout to take home a total of $1,255 in cash. The angler placed second in last year’s IFA Kayak Tour event in Savannah as well.
Fishing in her home waters of Jacksonville, the angler threw top-water baits early for her trout and jigs with paddle-tail soft baits for her redfish.
“It was a beautiful day with light winds,” said Saylor. “I had a calm and enjoyable day and it paid off. I remained calm and just followed the fish. It was an honor to compete against Roger and Chappy and all the other amazing anglers.”
John Chapman, of Jacksonville, Fla., continued his strong showing on this year’s IFA Kayak Tour. With a fourth-place finish at the Charleston event and a win at Titusville, Chapman is showing his prowess as an angler.
Chapman took home the $500 third-place prize and an extra $170 in Angler’s Advantage cash.
Fourth-place finisher Nathan Raycroft measured a 25.75-inch speckled sea trout to win the $100 Berkley Big Trout award while Austin Leggett won the $100 Junior Angler award.
The fastest-growing kayak fishing tournament trail in the country, the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing events are catch-photograph-release tournaments, offering inshore kayak anglers from a multitude of states the opportunity to participate in competitive fishing tournaments with low entry fees and minimal travel requirements.
For more information or to become a member of the IFA, visit www.ifatours.com. To discover more about kayaking and Hobie Fishing go to www.hobiefishing.com.
IFA events are made possible through the sponsorship and continued support of these well-respected brands: Hobie Fishing, Ranger Boats, Cabela’s, Lucas Oil, Yamaha Outboards, RAM, Berkley Gulp!, Berkley Gulp! Alive!, PENN Reels, Spiderwire, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Power-Pole, Livingston Lures, Amphibia, Arctic Ice, Protect the Harvest, General Tire, Bob’s Machine Shop, Blue Point Fabrication, Powertex Group and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Hogan’s Marina.
IFA Kayak Atlantic Division
Savannah, Ga. (Top 10)
1. Roger Bump – 58.50 inches
2. Elizabeth Saylor – 51.00 inches
3. John Chapman – 45.25 inches
4. Nathan Raycroft – 43.25 inches
5. Kevin Kappel – 39.75 inches
6. Benton Parrott – 38.50 inches
7. Trey Leggett – 35.75 inches
8. Austin Leggett – 28.00 inches
9. Lewis Brownlee – 27.00 inches
10. Robby Freeman – 18.25 inches
