Ritchey Wins IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Event at Jacksonville, FL
OutdoorHub 06.24.14
Winning angler qualifies for Hobie Fishing Worlds Championship in Amsterdam
Justin Ritchey, of Ocoee, Florida, measured a combined limit of 61.00 inches to win the final regular-season event for the Florida East Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing on June 22 at Jacksonville, Florida.
Experiencing light winds and excellent sight-fishing conditions, Ritchey fished the Indian River Lagoon area, traveling four miles round trip in his Hobie kayak. The angler sight-fished a shrimp imitation over grass flats for his redfish and blind-casted over pot holes for his trout.
“I exceeded my expectations today,” said Ritchey. “The action was steady all morning with the pleasant surprise of a large school of bull reds popping up. I am incredibly pleased with my success.”
The angler won a total of $2,439, including a Power-Pole Micro Anchor and the $250 Hobie Top Angler award for having the highest-place finish of an angler competing from a Hobie Kayak.
The IFA Kayak Tour event in Jacksonville also served as one of six U.S. qualifying events for the Hobie Fishing Worlds Championship in Amsterdam, Oct. 5-11. Ritchey will have the opportunity to travel overseas to test his fishing skills with some of the best kayak anglers in the world.
“It’s a great opportunity to go to Amsterdam and fish,” said Ritchey. “My redfish experience should translate well to catching Zander, Perch and Pike. Redfish are incredible diverse and can be found just about anywhere. I can apply many of the same redfish techniques to fish for these other species.”
John Chapman, of Jacksonville, Florida, measured a 15.00-inch trout and 44.00-inch redfish to take home the $1,000 second-place prize. The angler added $526 in Anglers Advantage cash and another $200 for the Berkley Gulp! Big Fish award for his kicker redfish.
The angler fished close to home in the Jacksonville waters. Throwing jig heads and Gulp! shrimp, the angler fished early for his trout and concentrated on the redfish late and in deep waters.
Former 2011 IFA Kayak Championship winner and 2011 Angler of the Year Justin Carter, of Charleston, South Carolina, measured a combined length of 57.50 inches to take home a total of $858 and third place.
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, Amphibia, Arctic Ice, Protect the Harvest, General Tire, Bob’s Machine Shop, Blue Point Fabrication, SuperClean, Progressive, Mustang Survival, iON Cameras, Valley Fashions, Powertex Group and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Morningstar Marinas Mayport and The Mudville Grille.
IFA Kayak Tour – Jacksonville, Fla. (Top 10)
1. Justin Ritchey – 61.00 inches
2. John Chapman– 59.00 inches
3. Justin Carter – 57.50 inches
4. Justin Rienerth – 50.85 inches
5. Rodney Nelson – 49.25 inches
6. Blake Beltz – 45.75 inches
7. Ty Nelson – 38.50 inches
8. Elizabeth Saylor – 38.50 inches
9. Chris Kirby – 27.25 inches
10. Stephen Yurkevicius – 25.50 inches
