By Paul Lebowitz

December 14, 2007

Howerton crowned as series champ at Plastic Navy / WON Kayak Fishing Classic

SAN DIEGO BAY – Ed Howerton has a knack for taking a soaking at Plastic Navy Tournament Trail kayak fishing contests. In April he emerged drenched but beaming from a Mission Bay dunking. Then in July he crashed his kayak in the surf at La Jolla. At least the water was warm. 

Saturday December 8 found him sopping wet again at the Kayak Fishing Classic, the finale of the 6-event bass catch and release series presented by Western Outdoor News. At least this time Howerton was dripping victory champagne instead of saltwater. The talented angler had just captured the Lowrance Electronics Angler of the Year points title.

“I had to prove to myself I could do it,” Howerton said as he hefted the oversized $2,500 check and the Lowrance X67c color fishfinder that came with the honor.

Howerton dominated the series, logging huge 5-fish scores for victories at Mission Bay (13.4 lbs), La Jolla (17.16 lbs), and Dana Point (23.92 lbs). He finished below 7th only once.

“It was a great year. It proved you can catch big weights from kayaks when it all comes together,” Howerton said.

Ed Keil won the Okuma Big Fish award and $1,500 for the 7.20-lb calico he landed at La Jolla back in July, the heaviest single bass of the series. “I sweated it a bit,” said Keil, whose fish edged out a 6.90-lb sand bass caught by Howerton this September at Dana Point.       

The series winners shouldn’t overshadow the top performers during Saturday’s tough, storm-slowed bite. Joe Tuipala turned in the heaviest 5-bass limit of the day (10.21-lbs), doubling his first place winnings with the jackpot fish, a 3.15-lb sand bass.

Tuipala fished just inside Ballast Point, where he patiently worked tiny brown grubs on 1/2 oz leadheads. “I use them when I take my kids and they slam all kinds of fish,” said the long-time San Diego Bay angler. Tuipala was rewarded with $1,111 in first place winnings and another $920 in jackpot cash.

Nathan Clookie paddled all the way downtown to compile his 10.10-lb 2nd place bag. Clookie fished 5-in MC Swimbaits and 1.5-oz FishTrix Spinbombs over a bait school he’d been tracking all week.

Dennis Burlason rounded out the top three with a 10.02-lb 5-fish limit anchored by a 2.66-lb sand bass. Burlason found most of his bass in the deep channel outside the Shelter Island fishing pier.

It was the first time in the Kayak Fishing Classic’s 5-year history that weather was a factor. The conditions didn’t dampen the spirits of the competitors, most of whom came bundled up against the chill. A few defiant die-hards fished in shorts.

Tournament director Drew Clark considered the strong turnout and summed up his feelings. “When I look back at what makes this series so successful and worthwhile, I think about our awesome participants. They come to every event to have a great time. There’s a wonderful spirit of community,” Clark said.

“140 people showing up in 50 degree weather with rain and wind shows true commitment,” Okuma marketer Ric Hawthorne said. “We are proud to be a part of the Trail.”

“With $3 a gallon gas the sport can only grow. We were very happy to participate,” added John Kushnerek of Quantum. Both companies lavished the tournament series with their innovative lines of kayak and saltwater-specific rods, reels, and fishing gear. 

They were joined by an impressive list of sponsors. Global Fish Mounts awarded a $400 gift certificate to every jackpot winner. Costa del Mar provided thousands of dollars of top shelf sunglasses and eyewear. Lowrance offered electronics, while Sport Chalet handed out stacks of $50 gift cards good toward their excellent selection of apparel, tackle, and watersports gear. Shiny new fishing kayaks from Perception, Wilderness Systems, Cobra Kayaks, and Hobie Kayaks graced the raffles. Xtools proffered floating tools; Promar featured nets and Sabiki Sticks.

Berkley piled on Gulp!, Trilene, and translucent FireLine Crystal braid, while Seaguar offered up fine fluorocarbon lines. Local paddle shops stepped up to support the Trail: Dana Pt Jetski, Fastlane Sailing and Kayaking, OEX Kayak Centers, San Diego Kayak Adventures, and Southwind Kayak Center.

CHAMPAGNE RAIN – Lowrance Kayak Angler of the Year Ed Howerton (foreground) dodges his victory shower. Howerton frequently ended Plastic Navy / WON kayak competition all wet. Whenever he did, he cleaned up on the scorecards.

CASHING IN AT THE KAYAK FISHING CLASSIC - Joe Tuipala doubled down on a weather-marred day of fishing, taking both first place and the jackpot. His 3.15-lb sand bass fell for a tiny plastic, disproving the big fish, big bait adage.

LOWRANCE ANGLER OF THE YEAR STANDS TALL – Overall points winner Ed Howerton dominated the 6-event Plastic Navy Tournament Trail Presented by Western Outdoor News. The talented angler took first in three events and only finished lower than 7th once.

CALICO BASS, $208 PER POUND – Ed Keil happily accepts a giant $1,500 check from Ric Hawthorne of Okuma. Keil earned his windfall by catching the heaviest bass of the series, a 7.20-lb calico caught, weighed and released at La Jolla.

DIRECTOR’S CHALLENGE NETS $500 – CJ Siebler holds one of the three sand bass he weighed on the day. The lucky angler came closest to Plastic Navy staffer Janette Weintraub’s total and took home a nice cash bonus for his efforts.