Any Fall Classic reports?

I'm curious about Dennis Spike's Fall Classic last weekend. 

Anyone got a report?

From Facebook post:

Dennis Spike The 2014 Kayakfishing.com Fall Classic wrapped Saturday at 2:30pm with the last 3 anglers negotiating a big incoming swell and only 15 minutes to spare
before the scales closed. Turns out those 3 guys were the newly appointed RTM Fishing Team, a good sign.

 54 anglers registered, 40 of them made it to the Awards and 19 weighed in fish. It was a washing machine out there early on. The seas smoothed down as the tournament wore on and the swell built all day. Lots of lingcods from 7 to just under 10 pounds were weighed.

Scott Swehla from Santa Rosa won the First Place prize, his choice of any RTM Fishing Kayak, with a 14.82 lingcod.

The Second Place Sawyer Paddle package went to Loren Crotty from Sebastopol with a 3 fish stringer weighing in at 20.86#. 3rd year Fall Classic angler Terry Saufferer from Folsom took 3rd Place with 3 fish at 17.76# and rolled his kayak out with a new Wheeleez cart.

Per Terry:
”My brother and I would like to thank you for putting on the Fall Classic again this year. We had a great time and we caught a bunch of fish. I would say we caught about 30 lings, 5 cabs, and lots of small rockies. I am really going to enjoy the Wheeleez as they are an awesome kayak caddy. Thanks again for all of your hard work.

Gerard (Gerardspaella.com) called the morning of the event to wish us all good luck and assure us he’ll be there for the 2015 Fall Classic with his Paella and “a punch”. For food this year, we steamed up a kettle of mussels, clams and shrimp plus salad and blistered padron peppers for Friday and put a Cuban twist on Saturday’s Trencherman’s BBQ with mojo and fried yucca. It was a fun party well into the night.

I'm obliged to say we are indebted and grateful to Nate and the other State Parks Lifeguards who again worked hard up and down the coast in anticipation of the big swell coming and so many people on the water. It's an awesome thing to have them around.

Sponsors
We’d like to acknowledge the Fall Classic Sponsors who really helped make it such a great event for all the attendees -
RTM Kayaks, Guayaki Herba Mate, Wheeleez, Stolquist, Sawyer Paddles, Flite Gear Soap, Outdoor Pro Shop-Cotati CA, Malone Roof Racks, Terrafin Imaging, Fisherman’s Eyewear, JPW Inc., Darkfin Gloves, The Dog House-Bodega Bay, Rapid Media –Kayak Angler Magazine, BFT Lures (Thanks Tommy) and Jenner Sea Store.

Special thanks to Otto and Clarisse from Wheeleez for the demos, the 3rd Place Prize Wheeleez Cart and their generosity to all the attendees. Contact them soon to take advantage of that.

TX Notes:
Scott Swehla's winning fish was taken on a sponsor's lure made by Tommy from Blunt Force Trauma (BFT) Lures.

The New Tournament Rule...that "sponsored" anglers (people who get free, kayaks, gear, expenses, travel $, etc to compete at kayak fishing events against anglers who shouldn't be losing big prizes to "professionals" IMHO)....can compete for place only at the Fall Classic AND those prizes will be passed on to the next placing non-industry angler....was well received.

Sawyer Paddles- Their new fiberglass kayak paddle, the K-Flex Kayak Paddle, hand made and custom cut, is bitchen! Loren got one as part of his 2nd place prize. I sure do like the feel of glass best and don't like the conductivity of carbon although I use both.

RTM Kayaks -Kayakfishing.com's relationship with RTM is unique. They totally agree that we should let the winner have their choice of RTM fishing kayaks instead of sticking winners with the latest, greatest kayak (that they only release every few years). Sweet. 2014 Tournament Champion Scott Swehla selected the Abaco 4.20 with all the bells and whistles.

Thanks to everyone who came. Please post your event pics to my Facebook Page (Dennis Spike) or email them to spike@kayakfishing.com. We look forward to seeing all of you at the next Fall Classic....Saturday October 10th, 2015...we do it every Columbus Day Weekend in October.

Continued Good Fishing and Whack `em,

Spike and Michelle


Coastal Kayak Fishing



kayakfishing.com

It's been a week since the fall classic, and I was there  along with 40-50 ish others to enjoy the 3Big  F"S  Friends, Food, FISHING!
The sea's were a little more than you'd prefer, but do able.
This is from my perspective....
I had just missed a Ling that got off 10 min ago, so I was still a little GRRRRR...
when I felt that familiar tug on my pole, and it was healthy!
I was using a 6 oz jig with BFT gear,Thanks Tommy,and was in about 60-70 ft of water
A few min later she got about 15-20 ft from the top and said "I don't think so"
And went for a ripper to the bottom, zzztt, zzzzZZtt, zzzZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTTTttttt!!!!!, After that 3rd one is when I thing I had my fishing Orgasm!?!!!! Or it was in  a couple min , when she was up to the boat, net lowered as low as I can,pull her over the top and in 1 felled swoop up she comes into my lap! Had a nice upper lip hook up and with that mouth open  as she came up, Man,  it was HUGE! It was almost as big as my head! So it's flopping  like hell, and I'm  hugging her like a Honeymooner, I realize this is one NICE fish!
Get her secured and keep fishing, I didn't think it was a winner cause I know what can be pulled from these waters..... But I was Happy!
Got to the weigh station and took over 1st place with 14.82 lb., and a full 36 in.
Had 30 min to go so had to play the waiting game.....Few nice fish came in, still had the lead. turns out I won!!!!!
Yea I was thrilled, Was the recipient of a Brand new RTM Abaco 420 fishing kayak!
So it was  a good weekend for me and am very grateful It turned out the way it did. Thanks to Spike and Michelle for hosting a fun weekend.
You've always been a gracious Host. It was nice to meet some other fellow NCKA bros, and Keep Fishin and Stay Safe!

It's been a week since the fall classic, and I was there  along with 40-50 ish others to enjoy the 3Big  F"S  Friends, Food, FISHING!
The sea's were a little more than you'd prefer, but do able.
This is from my perspective....
I had just missed a Ling that got off 10 min ago, so I was still a little GRRRRR...
when I felt that familiar tug on my pole, and it was healthy!
I was using a 6 oz jig with BFT gear,Thanks Tommy,and was in about 60-70 ft of water
A few min later she got about 15-20 ft from the top and said "I don't think so"
And went for a ripper to the bottom, zzztt, zzzzZZtt, zzzZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTTTttttt!!!!!, After that 3rd one is when I thing I had my fishing Orgasm!?!!!! Or it was in  a couple min , when she was up to the boat, net lowered as low as I can,pull her over the top and in 1 felled swoop up she comes into my lap! Had a nice upper lip hook up and with that mouth open  as she came up, Man,  it was HUGE! It was almost as big as my head! So it's flopping  like hell, and I'm  hugging her like a Honeymooner, I realize this is one NICE fish!
Get her secured and keep fishing, I didn't think it was a winner cause I know what can be pulled from these waters..... But I was Happy!
Got to the weigh station and took over 1st place with 14.82 lb., and a full 36 in.
Had 30 min to go so had to play the waiting game.....Few nice fish came in, still had the lead. turns out I won!!!!!
Yea I was thrilled, Was the recipient of a Brand new RTM Abaco 420 fishing kayak!
So it was  a good weekend for me and am very grateful It turned out the way it did. Thanks to Spike and Michelle for hosting a fun weekend.
You've always been a gracious Host. It was nice to meet some other fellow NCKA bros, and Keep Fishin and Stay Safe!

awesome, congrats on the win, cameron

Glad to meet and talk with you a bit scotty at the tourney.
WTG on the win and your new kayak.

Tim

Congratulations ScottyMB exciting report I do like Spike's smart new rule.

The New Tournament Rule...that "sponsored" anglers (people who get free, kayaks, gear, expenses, travel $, etc to compete at kayak fishing events against anglers who shouldn't be losing big prizes to "professionals" IMHO)....can compete for place only at the Fall Classic AND those prizes will be passed on to the next placing non-industry angler....was well received.

Who gets free kayaks? Just because you are sponsored doesn't mean you get free stuff or travel expenses. What's travel expenses? When I work the ocean booth at ISE I'm getting paid because its a JOB.  From MR. SPONSORED himself. Spike. hahahahaha What a joke

Congratulations ScottyMB exciting report I do like Spike's smart new rule.

The New Tournament Rule...that "sponsored" anglers (people who get free, kayaks, gear, expenses, travel $, etc to compete at kayak fishing events against anglers who shouldn't be losing big prizes to "professionals" IMHO)....can compete for place only at the Fall Classic AND those prizes will be passed on to the next placing non-industry angler....was well received.

I like it.

WTG, Scotty!   

I forgot to put up some pics of that puppy...
Also the waves the next day were  incredible, a day to watch in awe!
Oh yea... Go giants!

That is a nice fish. Congrats.
I have a love/hate relationship with waves like that.
Love how they look/hate when they spoil a trip.

oops! Forgot. Hell yea Scotty. That's really cool you got it. Homies rule.

Way to go, Scotty!!!


Craig, I think there is a big misconception as to what it is to be a "sponsored" angler, and I think it warrants its own thread.

Scotty, not a bad year for you so far.  Kayak rack at Crabfest and kayak at Spike's tourney.  Congratulations.

Congrats on the win Scotty! My wife & I were camping out at Ocean Cove that weekend & watched you come in to weigh your ling. You guys made it in just in time as the wind really picked up just as the last few guys came into the Cove. We walked back down around 5pm & that guy with the big Rangerover was getting ready to paddle out into the wind. Wonder if he caught any fish in the slop?

Who gets free kayaks? Just because you are sponsored doesn't mean you get free stuff or travel expenses. What's travel expenses? When I work the ocean booth at ISE I'm getting paid because its a JOB.  From MR. SPONSORED himself. Spike. hahahahaha What a joke

Yep. I don't get any of that. Guess I can still play.