MOUNTAIN HOME, AR - Ty Nelson, of Orlando, Florida, measured a combined limit of 52.63 inches to win the first regular-season event for the Florida East Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing on March 29 at Titusville, Florida. The angler took home $2,127 and a Power-Pole Micro Anchor for his first-place finish.
In only his second year fishing the IFA Kayak Tour, Nelson has put up four top-five finishes before landing his first win in Titusville. The angler experienced sunny and windy conditions on tournament day.
"Cold weather made the trout bite difficult," said Nelson. "But the redfish were fired up early. The Micro Power-Pole made fishing in the wind a breeze."
The angler fished the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoons after launching at three different ramps. Nelson threw Berkley Gulp! and soft plastics for his limit.
"I fished slow and methodical for redfish," said Nelson. "For my trout I would drift, set my Power-Pole, and fan-cast an area and then I would drift again."
The angler feels his victory is well deserved due to the time he put in before and during the competition.
"I worked hard this past week to find my fish and I worked even harder to find them again on tourney day," said Nelson. "I didn't do as well as expected, but conditions were tough."
Second-place finisher Derek Engle, of Spring Hill, Florida, measured a 29.50-inch redfish and a 15.63-inch speckled sea trout for a combined total of 45.13 inches. The angler took home $1,000 for his two-fish limit.
Engle worked soft plastics slowly in the lagoon and reported rough, windy and wet condition, which made for a tough fishing day.
Lachlan Cameron, of Spring Hill, Florida, is in his first year fishing competitively on the IFA Kayak Tour. The angler also reported a tough bite but made the most of his day drifting his kayak while sight-casting in the Mosquito Lagoon.
Cameron's combined measurement of 44.13 inches netted him $500 in cash.
The next stop for the IFA Kayak Tour is May 3 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 2015 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, Amphibia, Arctic Ice, Protect the Harvest, General Tire, Bob's Machine Shop, SuperClean, Mustang Survival, iON Cameras, Valley Fashions, ENGEL Coolers, Bulldog Folding Trailers, Hildebrandt, T-H Marine, ATLAS, G-Juice Powertex Group, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, CrackerJacks Tiki Bar and Kayaks by Bo.
IFA Kayak Tour - Florida East Division
Titusville, Fla. (Top 10)
Ty Nelson - 52.63 inches
Derek Engle - 45.13 inches
Lachlan Cameron - 44.13 inches
Charles Hughes - 43.38 inches
Pepi Vidal - 40.88 inches
Dustin Bragman - 38.63 inches
Arron Barber - 36.50 inches
Michael Sadler - 33.75 inches
Rodney Nelson - 28.38 inches
Justin Rienerth - 25.50 inches
Media Contact Greg Duncan,
Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766 or greg@blueheroncomm.com.
