NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Joe Komyati, of Raleigh, North Carolina, measured a combined limit of 52.75 inches to win the second 2016 regular-season event for the Florida West Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing on Sept. 11 at Sarasota, Florida. With the win the kayak angler qualified to compete in the 2016 Hobie Fishing Worlds this December.
The Sarasota event marks the first win for Komyati in his five-year career fishing the IFA Kayak Tour. Komyati started his day trying to catch a redfish, but a pick up in wind changed the expected morning pattern.
"During my three days pre-fishing there was zero wind and the redfish came out into the bays at first light," said Komyati. "On the day of the tournament the wind picked up and the chop was enough to keep the fish out of the area I had been catching them in."
The angler decided to change tactics and target trout. The decision paid off, as the trout were biting with Komyati landing a 20.75-inch trout. Komyati returned to the area he felt the redfish would be only to see the area filled with other anglers.
"I got back to my spot and there were a bunch of boats in a circle around a big school of fish," Komyati said. "I just waited them out and eventually the fish came my way. My first cast I caught a 30-inch snook. The snook tore up my line so I grabbed another rod already rigged with Gulp! and casted back into the school of fish. Within a couple of minutes, I hooked up and I knew it was a big fish. It was a good thing too because it was the only redfish I caught all day."
The angler won at total of $2,350, including $250 from Power-Pole. Komyati's 32-inch redfish and 20.75-inch trout were the longest of the event and earned the angler the Berkley Gulp! Big Redfish and Big Trout awards. The angler also earned the $300 PENN Reels award for using a PENN reel to win the tournament.
Derek Engle, of Spring Hill, Florida, won second place with a 19-inch trout and a 31-inch redfish. The angler took home $1,443 for his efforts, including $343 in Anglers Advantage cash and the $100 Run with Lucas Oil cash.
Third-place finisher Mike McDonald, of Sarasota, Florida, measured a combined total of 45.63 inches to take home $401. The angler worked a spoon to land his redfish and a top-water for his trout.
"Fishing was tough with lots of dirty water," said McDonald. "The boat traffic made my trout bite difficult. I was surprised that I did so well."
The next stop for the IFA Kayak Tour is Sept. 25 at Georgetown, South Carolina. 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, Centennial Park and Economy Tackle.
IFA Kayak Tour – Florida West Division
Sarasota, Fla. (Top 10)
Joe Komyati – 52.75 inches
Derek Engle – 50.00 inches
Mike McDonald – 45.63 inches
Tony Lai – 44.88 inches
Michael Lahn – 43.50 inches
Justin Ritchey – 43.50 inches
Rodney Nelson – 42.00 inches
Travis Carew – 40.63 inches
Kasey Arrowsmith – 40.50 inches
Jake Bates – 37.13 inches
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Media Contact: Greg Duncan
Blue Heron Communications
(800) 654-3766
Greg@blueheroncomm.com
