First-place finisher Clayton Shilling displays his winning check, plaque and Power-Pole Micro Anchor at the IFA Kayak Tour event at Houma, La., on August 5.
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NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Clayton Shilling, of Prairieville, Louisiana, measured a combined limit of 56.38 inches to win the second regular-season event for the 2018 Louisiana Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing on August 5 at Houma, La.
In his seven years fishing the IFA Kayak Tour, Shilling has placed second and fifth before taking the top of the leaderboard in Houma. Like the other kayak anglers, Shilling fought high winds and rough waters in his kayak.
The angler fished popping corks for his 14.13-inch trout and deep jigged for his 42.24-inch redfish in the Grand Isle area. For first place, he won $1,000 in cash and a Power-Pole Micro anchor. The angler added $400 in Anglers Advantage cash for a total of $2,100 in winnings.
Second-place finisher Owen Caraway, of Spanish Fort, Alabama, measured a 16-inch trout and a 40-inch redfish to win $600.
Arlo Burgos, of Bastrop, Texas, measured a combined total of 56 inches to take home the $390 third-place prize. The angler faced choppy waters and high winds during the competition.
“Although the water was choppy, the weather was nice and sunny,” said Burgos. “Conditions were tough with lots of boats all around.”
The angler fished shallow for trout and out deeper for redfish in the Grand Isle area with Berkley Gulp! and other soft plastics.
“It was fantastic,” said Burgos. “I didn’t really come here to finish in the top three but rather to help scout with my brother Lance and try to learn from him.”
Burgos’ 44-inch redfish was the largest of the day and won the angler the Berkley Gulp Big Redfish award along with the $300 in PENN products for catching his kicker fish on a PENN reel.
The next stop for the IFA Kayak Tour is Orange, Texas, on August 19. Anglers who enter at least two events and compete in at least one event will be qualified for the 2018 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, Mercury Marine, Berkley Gulp!, Berkley Gulp! Alive!, PENN Reels, Spiderwire, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Power-Pole, Valley Fashions, T-H Marine, ATLAS, G-Juice, Navionics, Garmin and Powertex Group.
IFA Kayak Tour – Louisiana Division
Houma, Louisiana (Top 10)
Clayton Shilling – 56.38 inches
Owen Caraway – 56.00 inches
Arlo Burgos – 56.00 inches
Jimmy Baker – 56.00 inches
Brandon Thibodaux – 55.25 inches
Lance Burgos – 54.25 inches
Mathew Carr – 54.13 inches
Scott Bienvenu – 53.75 inches
Trent Steege – 53.75 inches
Matthew Vann – 53.38 inches
Media Contact: Greg Duncan
Blue Heron Communications
(405) 364-3433