Kayak angler takes home $2,050 in prize money
Colton Scott, of San Antonio, Texas, caught a combined limit of 49.88 inches to win the second 2016 regular-season event for the Texas Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing on August 14 at Aransas Pass, Texas. The angler won at total of $2,050, including $250 from Power-Pole and $300 in PENN products.
The kayak angler faced a rainy morning, creating tough conditions.
“It was extremely wet in the morning,” said Scott. “After about an hour of rain, the sky cleared up and the rest of the day consisted of low winds and overcast skies.”
Scott put in at Redfish Bay, traveling approximately a quarter mile fishing the flats for reds and going deep for his trout. The angler threw soft plastics and top-water baits to land his 27-inch redfish and 22.88-inch speckled sea trout.
“I am proud of the way I performed at this event,” said Scott. “Even though conditions were tough, I stuck it out and was rewarded.”
Second-place finisher David Norris, of Corpus Christi, Texas, added another top-10 finish with a combined total of 48.75 inches. The three-year IFA Kayak Tour angler won the $1,000 second-place prize, along with $560 in Angler’s Advantage cash, a $300 PENN Reel credit and the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Redfish award.
Chase Okrasinski, of New Braunfels, Texas, measured a 28.75-inch redfish and a 19-inch trout to take third-place. While anticipating a rainy day of competition, the angler benefited from the calm conditions.
“I expected more rain, but luckily the forecast was wrong,” said Okrasinski. “There was very little rain where I fished and was able to use the calm wind to my advantage in the shallow water.”
The angler fished hardbaits, artificial minnows and Berkley Gulp! shrimp in Copano Bay. With changing conditions, the angler continuously changed his tactics to meet the situation.
“The weather continued to change throughout the day, causing fish patterns to change as well,” said Okrasinski. “I used dark top-waters due to overcast skies and dark-colored paddletails in murky waters.”
The angler won a total of $525 for his efforts.
Eighth-place finisher Elliot Stevens won the $100 Run with Lucas Oil award.
The next stop for the IFA Kayak Tour is August 28 at New Smyrna Beach, Florida. 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.
