Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Rienerth Wins IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Event at Jacksonville, Florida

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla.  – Justin Rienerth, of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, measured a combined limit of 62.88 inches to win the first regular-season event for the 2018 Florida East Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing on March 18 at Jacksonville, Florida.

The kayak angler ran into unexpected winds and almost changed from his plan to fish the shallows outside St. Johns River before heading into the river to upgrade.

“I had planned to fish my normal spot because the wind was not supposed to be too bad,” said Rienerth. “The wind picked up unexpectedly early and I got worried about going into the river because I didn’t know the conditions. It was making me second-guess my plan. Once I had my two fish by 9 o’clock, I decided to go give it a look. I really wanted to win this one and knew it would take a big red.”

With conditions better than Rienerth expected, the angler began to bang away on fish holding in the slack tide, as the deeper water allowed Rienerth to get a jig down deep. The decision to pull up stakes and head to the river paid off with Rienerth upgraded with a 44-inch bull red.

“I really lucked out that the conditions on the river weren’t as bad as I thought,” said Rienerth. “Right when the tide slacked up, I was able to capitalize on the bite and get a good presentation down deep to the fish. I found the fish and they were cooperating for me. It all worked out for me thankfully.”

Rienerth adds this IFA Kayak Tour win to his previous victory at Georgetown, South Carolina, in 2016.

“I have had numerous top-fives here at Jacksonville but have never taken top honors,” said Rienerth. “This one means a lot for me. This was a big field and the competition level is through the roof. To win this is really special.”

The angler won $1,000 and a Power-Pole Micro Anchor for his performance. The angler’s 44.00-inch redfish won the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Redfish Award and $300 in PENN product for catching his lunker on a PENN reel.

Second-place finisher Craig Van Brocklin, of Jacksonville, Florida, measured a 29.50-inch redfish and a 17.00-inch speckled sea trout to win $750 along with an extra $330 in Anglers Advantage cash.

The angler fished the St. Johns River and its creeks. With the tides set to come in, Van Brocklin switched up his routine.

“I usually fish for trout early and redfish later,” said Van Brocklin. “But, with the incoming tide this morning, I went for my red first.”

The angler caught his limit on Berkley Gulp! swimming mullet and had to struggle against a tough trout bite and high winds later in the day.

“It was nice in the morning but, as the day wore on, the winds picked up,” said Van Brocklin. “I caught the red early and had to be patient and grind for five hours before catching my first trout. I feel great about my fishing day though.”

Scott Stevens fought through muddy waters two hours south of the launch for a total of 46.25 inches to take third place. The angler took home $698, including $198 in Anglers Advantage cash.

Sixteenth-place finisher Nathan Rich landed a 21.00-inch trout on a PENN Reel to win the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Trout award and $300 in PENN Reel product.

The next stop for the IFA Kayak Tour is Clearwater, Florida, on March 25. Anglers who enter at least a minimum of 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 – Florida East Division

Jacksonville, Florida (Top 10)

  1. Justin Rienerth – 62.88 inches
  2. Craig Van Brocklin – 46.50 inches
  3. Scott Stevens – 46.25 inches
  4. Derek Engle – 44.50 inches
  5. Sean Russo – 42.00 inches
  6. Eric Norberg – 41.88 inches
  7. Matthew Harris – 41.13 inches
  8. Eric Henson – 40.63 inches
  9. Pam Wirth – 40.50 inches
  10. David Driscol – 39.75 inches