Six qualifying tickets to the 2016 Hobie Fishing World Championship are up for grabs. If you think you’re one of Hobie’s best anglers, here are your chances to earn an entry to the big dance:
The Jamaica Bay Kayak Fishing Classic, May 12-15
The multi-species format of the Jamaica Bay Kayak Fishing Classic makes it a fitting event to launch an angler with diverse skills to the Hobie Fishing Worlds. “Getting three out of the four species is a big challenge. One day you might fish for striper and blues the next maybe trout or fluke. Each has its own ways of being caught,” says Hobie Fishing Team member Joe Hosler.
The Hobie Bass Open, Kentucky Lake, KY, June 3-5
Hobie’s Bass Open is a lures-only tournament contested over two days. Aiming for the largest three fish per day brings out the best in anglers. You can’t win by catching one big, lucky fish. “Consistency and true skill will win you the tournament,” says Morgan Promnitz, Hobie Fishing Product Manager.
The top two anglers will punch their Hobie Fishing Worlds tickets. The online early entry fee is $100 through May 3.
In 2014 BBC representative Kyle Moxon went on to place second at the Hobie Fishing Worlds, contested that year in the Netherlands. In 2016, two qualifying slots are avvailable: one for a Canadian angler, the other for the U.S.
The IFA Kayak Fishing Tour, Sarasota, Florida, September 11
Many of the best kayak anglers to hail from the southeast are regular IFA Kayak Tour competitors. The tournaments are rigorous Catch, Photo, Release events, and carry considerable prestige and other rewards. “The IFA has a pretty big payout per tournament and a very large payout at the championship. Plus you can win more cash by doing well throughout the year and winning angler of the year,” says Brandon Barton.
The IFA produced 2014 Hobie Fishing Worlds champ Steve Lessard and 2014 fifth place angler Justin Ritchey. One Worlds qualification will be awarded at Sarasota.
More Hobie Fishing Worlds qualifying opportunities may be announced later.
