2011 JKF Classic Press Release

[KayakMike]

JACKSONVILLE, FL - January 24, 2011 - JaxKayakFishing.com, Northeast Florida's online kayak fishing community, has again announced plans for the world's largest kayak fishing tournament to be held in Jacksonville, Florida on May 13-14. The 8th annual Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic promotes kayak fishing in Jacksonville with a fun conservation-oriented format and raises funds for children's programs at the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. The Columbia Sportswear Company, the global leader in active outdoor apparel, is the title sponsor.

Officials expect that once again more than 350 kayak anglers will target Redfish, Trout, and Flounder in a catch-photo-release format with more than $80,000 in prizes and gifts. Last year’s Classic had a world’s largest attendance of 430 paddlers with more than $80,000 in prizes and gifts. The event raised over $40,000 for local children’s and conservation charities.

The captain’s meeting is scheduled for May 13th at Jacksonville’s St. Ephrem Syriac Catholic Church. Check-in, awards ceremonies, and a banquet are set for May 14th at Jacksonville’s St. Ephrem Syriac Catholic Church. The entry fee is $75 and includes a customized Columbia fishing shirt, captain's bag full of fishing goodies, rights to fish, entry into the raffles, and catered meals at the captain’s meeting and check-in banquet.
Anglers will be launching and fishing at any inshore location within Duval, Nassau, St. John’s, Flagler, Camden, and Glynn counties.

Trophies, kayaks, fishing gear and gift certificates will be awarded for first place through fifth place finishers in four open divisions. Divisions include: the Redfish-Trout-Flounder slam, biggest Redfish, biggest Trout, and biggest Flounder. There are also contingency prizes and awards for Jr. Angler, Lady Angler, Sr. Angler, Fly Angler, a Mystery Fish prize, a raffle for the Best Dang Tackle Box, and raffles that include more than $20,000 worth of kayaks, equipment, and tackle.

The event is co-sponsored by many of North Florida’s finest kayak and fishing retailers, including Strike-Zone Fishing, Black Creek Outfitters, Dick’s Sporting Goods, All Wet Sports, and AquaEast. The world’s leading fishing kayak and accessory manufacturers are also sponsors: Jackson Kayaks, FreedomHawk Kayaks, Hobie Kayaks, Malibu Kayaks, Ocean Kayaks, Emotion Kayaks, Native Watercraft, Cobra, Wilderness Systems Kayaks, Yak-Gear.com, Accent Paddles, and Malone.

Many prominent national brands such as Costa Del Mar, Penn, Daiwa, Guy Harvey, St. Croix, Tilley Hats, Tsunami, Mirrolure, Fishbites, Slayer Lures, Polar Bear Coolers, and DOA Lures are also major supporters. The Outdoors Show, Florida Sportfishing Magazine, Florida Sportsman, Kayak Fisherman Magazine, Kayak Angler Magazine, Coastal Angler Magazine, Fishing Connection, Canoe&Kayak Magazine, Paddler Magazine, and Great Atlantic Outfitters are promoting and advertising the event.

Kayak fisherman can register online at http://www.JacksonvilleKayakFishingClassic.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or can also pick up an entry form at Strike-Zone Fishing, Black Creek Outfitters, All Wet Sports, and Gander Mountain. More information, rules, and prize details are also available online.

Sponsors for the 2011 Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic include: Columbia Sportswear, Strike Zone Fishing, BlackCreek Outfitters, Gander Mountain, Accent Paddles, Hobie Kayaks, Cobra Kayaks, Costa Del Mar, Malibu Kayaks, Jackson Kayaks, FreedomHawk Kayaks, Emotion Kayaks, Advanced Elements, Wilderness Systems Kayaks, Ocean Kayaks, Native Watercraft, Academy Sports, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Black Fly Outfitter, All Wet Sports, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Purefishing, Great Atlantic Outfitters, Slayer Lures, Yak-Gear.Com ,Creative Feathers Studio, Outdoors Show, BullFrog, Mirrolure, Daiwa, DOA Lures, Calcutta, Crack of Dawn, MTI, Surf To Summit, Malone Auto Racks, KayakFishingSupplies.Com, Kayak Amelia, Florida Sportsman, Kayak Fisherman Magazine, B&M Bait&Tackle, Talic, RAM, Polar Bear Coolers, Otter Box, Scotty Rod Holders, Daiichi Hooks, Hook1, GearKeeper, Slayer Lures, Fishbites, ThermaCELL, Penn Fishing, Exude Mister Twister, Kayak Angler Magazine, Stohlquist, AquaEast, Bite-A-Bait, Wheeleez, White Shell Bait&Tackle, Arlington Bait&Tackle, Extrasport, Carlisle, Tilley Hats, 3rd Grip CrateMate, Precision Pak, 321Fish.Com, Fisherman’s Seafood & Bait, YakLife.Com, TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group, AT Paddles, Wang Anchors, Skwoosh, Helter Skeletons, Florida Sportfishing, IrishWaterDogs.com, Bluestorm, Stowmaster Nets, St. Croix Rods, Heddon, StandNFish.Com, BackwaterFishingAdventures.Com, FlyFishingJax.Com, QuickSlide Stringers, Qualia Fishing, ZackTack, RodWrap.Com

Interview and Public Relations Contact:
Mike Kogan
JaxKayakFishing
PO Box 330465
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
O: 904.382.5007
E: [email protected]
W: http://www.JaxKayakFishing.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PDF Version Of This Release

[KayakMike]

It's that time of year guys - sorry if this is in the wrong forum. Hope to see some of ya'll in Jax this May!

Something different this year is that we have only one entry type at $75, and everyone will receive a custom Columbia fishing shirt ($50 value) from one of the following styles:

Men's Blood N Guts Long Sleeve Tee (S-XXL men's sizing)
Women's Omni-Freeze Long Sleeve Tee (XS-XL women's sizing)
Kids Skiff Guide Long Sleeve Shirt (M-L youth sizing)

Of course everyone still gets capt bag full of the usual goodies, raffle tix, rights to fish, and catered food at both the capt meeting and check-in banquet.

[Todd]

Great event, thanks for all your herculean efforts Mike!

[DoubleM]

I hope to attend this year. Thanks for posting good 'n early, my wife is a planner so advance communications are key.

[GILs_GONE_WILD]

I took that week off starting Sat to head up to Virginia a fish for mountain trout All I need is to get Friday the 13th off. Think I'll stop in JAX on the way up to VA.

[bigguy]

Im pretty sure i have that weekend off. I might try to make this event. Anyone else going? Anyone want to split a hotel?