FW "09" Yak Schedule

Well it's time to think about marking the calender for the "09" events.
Last year I was able to get Kayaks into my Fresno (Fisherman's Warehouse) location, and to introduce new people to the fine sport of Kayak Fishing I put on a series of 5 events on the local waters. This was a great success and brought over a dozen new anglers to the sport. Because of this success I been able to put kayaks in all 4 of our stores and have convinced the owner of Fisherman's Warehouse to help me bring an even larger series of events for "09" which will include 5 events spread across the Central California Region. As in "08" I will continue to keep these events FREE of charge to any angler who wants to participate and encourage all anglers to invite a friend. Each time an angler joins a event I will put his name and phone on a ticket and lock it in a box, at the last event I will draw a ticket and give that person a FREE kayak. Also I am talking with all the Tackle Manufacturers I have come to know over the last 20+ years in the business and have been successful in getting their participation ass well. If you would be interested in joining me for one or more of these events please check out the schedule I am posting below and mark your calenders. feel free to call me with any questions. (launch details will be posted as we get closer to dates of events)
Thank you and hope to see you on the water soon,

Eric Kaai
Ocean Kayak Pro Staff
fishermanswarehouse.com
yakhopper@att.net
(559)225-1838 Store
(559)284-4299 Cell

2009
Fisherman's Warehouse
Kayak Fishing Series

May-17
Alameda
(Halibut)

June-28
Delta
(Bass)

July-19
New Hogans Res.
(Striped Bass)

August-16
Davenport
(Rock Cod)

September-20
Bass Lake
(Trout/Kokanee)

*** Each event will be FREE to enter ***

*** Lunch will be supplied for all participants ***

*** Prizes will be awarded to top 3 anglers of each event ***

*** For details call Eric Kaai at (559)225-1838 ***

*** Participation in each event will gain 1 ticket towards end
of year drawing for a new Ocean Kayak (model to be announced) ***

*** Top anglers based on a C.P.R. (Catch/Photo/Release or keep) format ***

Hope to make a few events this year although it won't be the first one because I've got a wedding to attend in VA.

BTW, it was nice meeting you Saturday at the ISE. Bassmanben introduced us and you gave me a copy of the schedule you posted above.

Michael

This is a really cool Series that you put on, Eric. I plan to participate in a few this year.

And I have a feeling the September event at Bass Lake could draw a lot of AOTY participants....in hopes of filling the salmon category.

im in do i get two tickets for the July 19 cause the 20 is my b-day  
on free wienies woohoo

Like the variety.  Super glad to see someone else holding events so I actually get to fish!! 

Two comments:

1) Why Davenport?  The rocky scene there is kinda sucky (really sucky actually) and its sharky.  NCKA had its first ever event there and it was won by a 2 pound black rockfish.

2) CPR kayak halibut?  Not practical in my experience.  I would be willing to release one to the Panko after the event!

Thanks again, I can't wait to fish an event instead of hosting!!!!

Like the variety.  Super glad to see someone else holding events so I actually get to fish!! 

Two comments:

1) Why Davenport?  The rocky scene there is kinda sucky (really sucky actually) and its sharky.  NCKA had its first ever event there and it was won by a 2 pound black rockfish.

2) CPR kayak halibut?  Not practical in my experience.  I would be willing to release one to the Panko after the event!

Thanks again, I can't wait to fish an event instead of hosting!!!!

   I think it says keep also, right?

   Eric these sound like real fun and a great way to meet new people and possibly get some AOTY fish.

Hello yakhopper, nice metting you at the ISE,really cool you put on these events!!! You should consider putting one in or around Monterey Bay. Lots of members around here. Just my two cents...Andy

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the intrest and comments.
I have been very excited about putting these event's together and getting new people into this sport.
It was also nice to meet many of you at ISE and put names and faces together.

Shawn - I know there's better places to rockfish but this will help test our skills and I like the nostalgia of the first NCKA event thing (even though I wasn't there). Also it will be CPR or CPK which will allow anglers to let their catch go if they don't want to keep them.

Andy - I also like to fish out of Monterey but didn't want to step on Tara's (MBK) territory, she supports a nice event each year and I figured I would respect that.

James - Sorry, no B-Day bonus points but you got me thinking maybe we should give a bonus point to anybody who brings a new person into this madness.

Eric-

I'm digging this. I was bummed that I couldn't make any of your derbies last year but, this year... I'll be looking forward to them. I may be able to get Melissa out there too.

Freddie

Thanks for the clarification.

Looking forward to these events! Off the top of my head I think I should be able to hit 2 or 3 of them. 

Way to go Eric  Thanks for organizing these events! Looking forward!!!

eric, i think you should give an extra ticket to the winner of each event
=)

will these tourneys be based on length then if we are to cpr? 

my only tourney that i'm slightly worried about is the hogan one. in the summer that place is infested with lake lice.  while most will probably avoid a group of 30+ kayakers not all will be so friendly.

Can't wait for these....Lets do something sooner! I was at Aquan the other day and talked to Mooch about a road trip over three or four days. Down to Santa Barbara fish and camp then road trip up the coast to SLO/Morrow Bay and fish and camp for another day or two. OK Sorry thread jack over!

Thanks in advance Yakhopper!

Thanks for organizing this Eric.

Looking forward to them.

RR