Kayak angler racks up fifth IFA Kayak Tour win
| First-place finisher Dave Jaskiewicz poses with his first-place plaque and Hobie kayak at the IFA Kayak Tour event at Georgetown, S.C., on May 1 |
Jaskiewicz has recently dominated the Atlantic Division by winning the last three divisional events. The seasoned angler won this event by fighting the unexpected weather, reading the tide and pre-fishing one month in advance to coincide with the correct tides.
"The morning was great with overcast skies and I headed up river against a fast current to where I pre-fished," said Jaskiewicz. "I knew if I fished the same tide and the same spot I pre-fished a month before, I would catch them." It didn't take long for Jaskiewicz to locate and catch a sizable redfish measuring over 28 inches.
"I caught a few on top-water before reaching my spot. When I got there I worked the area for 15 minutes before catching a fish," said Jaskiewicz. "I threw a paddle tail and bounced it along the bottom and finally hooked into a red. I knew he was a good one and I worked him hard."
With a sizable redfish successfully caught and measured, the angler switched his attention to trout. By 8:00 a.m., he had managed to boat a 20-inch trout, securing his place somewhere at the top of the leaderboard.
"I turned my attention to trout and I knew if I hooked a 20 I could be in this thing," said Jaskiewicz. "I caught a half dozen fish ranging from 14 to 16 inches and finally hooked into a 20 on a top-water. This put my total length around 49.50 by 8:00 a.m."
Jaskiewicz decided to fight high winds and attempt to upgrade his redfish. Surprisingly he did not upgrade his redfish but instead caught three trout measuring 20-plus inches, eventually landing a 21.50-inch giant.
"I absolutely love the IFA. I believe it is the best tournament trail for kayakers," said Jaskiewicz. "I have been fishing it since 2010 and I still cant sleep the night before an event. I have met a lot of guys who have become my fishing buddies."
Along with the first-place prizes, the angler won an additional $480 in Anglers Advantage cash along with the $100 Lucas Oil contingency program.
Joe Komyati, of Raleigh, North Carolina, won second place with a 14-inch trout and a 32.25-inch redfish, which was the largest of the tournament and won the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Redfish award.
The angler fought winds and fished tidal pools in the Copahee area.
"It was windy, very windy," said Komyati. "Overall I am happy with my performance."
Third-place finisher Nathan Raycroft, of Townville, South Carolina, measured a combined total of 44.75 inches to take home $370 in cash.
Despite finishing in 15th place, Derek Engle took home the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Trout Award for his monster 23.50-inch trout. The angler also won $300 for catching his kicker fish on a PENN Reel.
Noah Lowenbach bested the other junior anglers to take home the $100 Jr. Angler award.
The next stop for the IFA Kayak Tour is May 15 at Lafitte, Louisiana. Anglers who enter at least a minimum of two events and compete in at least one event will be qualified for the 2016 IFA Kayak Tour championship.
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, BoatU.S., Amphibia, Arctic Ice, Protect the Harvest, General Tire, SuperClean, Valley Fashions, ENGEL Coolers, T-H Marine, ATLAS, G-Juice Powertex Group, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas Campbell Marine Complex and Surf The Earth.
IFA Kayak Tour – Atlantic Division
Georgetown, S.C. (Top 10)
- Dave Jaskiewicz – 50.38 inches
- Joe Komyati – 46.25 inches
- Nathan Raycroft – 44.75 inches
- Justin Carter – 43.50 inches
- Stephen Yurkevicius – 42.50 inches
- Aaron Baldwin – 42.38 inches
- Dolphin Hamilton – 41.13 inches
- Andrew Imes – 32.13 inches
- Scot Townsend – 31.88 inches
- Larry Hancock – 31.25 inches
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