Kayak angler takes home more than $2,000 in prize money
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Justin Rienerth, of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, measured a combined limit of 45.13 inches to win the second 2016 regular-season event for the Atlantic Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing on Sept. 25 at Georgetown, South Carolina.
The Georgetown event marks the first win for Rienerth in his three years fishing the IFA Kayak Tour. Rienerth fished just north of Charleston and estimated he traveled a total of 10 miles. The angler reported a slow early bite but began to find fish with the rising waters.
"The tide was a lot slower moving back in," said the Rienerth. "But once it got moving the fishing really picked up."
Rienerth fished top-water baits for his trout and targeted the low-tide flats with swimbaits for his redfish.
"I wasn't very happy until I caught my second fish late in the afternoon," said Rienerth. "Once I caught the second fish I knew I had a chance of winning. This was an awesome event, the IFA is the best."
The angler won $1,500 and $250 from Power-Pole for his first-place finish. He added $290 by participating in the Anglers Advantage contingency program.
Dave Jaskiewicz, of Wando, South Carolina, won second place with an 18.50-inch trout and a 21.50-inch redfish. The angler put in 45 minutes south of Georgetown to fish the Intracoastal Waterway. Jaskiewicz fished top-water baits in the morning before switching to jigs with paddletails in the afternoon.
"The wind picked up and hurt sight-casting," said Jaskiewecz. "But, besides that, things were good. This was another awesome event. Georgetown puts on a top-notch event."
The angler took home $1,100, including $110 in Anglers Advantage cash.
Third-place finisher Justin Carter, of Charleston, South Carolina, measured a combined total of 38.38 inches. The angler fished drop-offs, docks and points with jigs, top-water baits and jerkbaits. With recent rains, water clarity became a factor.
"The water was really dirty after the past two weeks of wet weather," said Carter. "I was shocked I did as well as I did. I caught a bunch of small fish and figured I might be in the top 10 but not third place."
Fifth-place finisher Josh Yeater took home the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Redfish Award and $300 in PENN products for catching his 31-inch redfish on a PENN Reel. Ninth-place finisher Michael Kachman's 19.75-inch trout earned the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Trout Award and $300 PENN products as well.
The next stop for the IFA Kayak Tour is the championship event set for Oct. 7-8 at Panama City, 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.
The IFA would like to thank the Georgetown County Recreation and Community Services for their support with this event.
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 Georgetown Quality Inn & Suites.
IFA Kayak Tour – Atlantic Division
Georgetown, S.C. (Top 10)
Justin Rienerth – 45.13 inches
Dave Jaskiewicz – 40.00 inches
Justin Carter – 38.38 inches
Stephen Yurkevicius – 34.88 inches
Josh Yeater – 31.00 inches
Joe Komyati – 28.50 inches
Andrew Imes – 28.25 inches
Nathan Raycroft – 21.50 inches
Michael Kachman – 19.75 inches
Don Brazell – 17.88 inches
