By Paul Lebowitz

September 21, 2007

Howerton’s WON kayak fishing tournament win at Dana Pt capped by 6-9 grumpy

DANA POINT – There’s no stopping Ed Howerton now in the race for Lowrance Electronics Angler of the Year. The humble expert compiled a huge 5-fish limit of 23.92 lbs at the latest saltwater bass catch and release kayak fishing contest in the Plastic Navy Tournament Trail Presented by Western Outdoor News.

Dana Point is a well known big-bass calico fishery, but the tournament results did not bear it out on September 15. A bunch of grumpy sandbass muscled the checkers to the sidelines.

Actually, it was a crash in the water temperature in the days leading up to the tournament that put the calicos off the bite and shifted the action to sandbass.

“The water rolled so I fished deep,” Howerton explained at the post-tournament barbecue at the Dana Harbor launch ramp. All of his fish came early in the morning in a 90 minute flurry.

“It all worked out. Things fell into place,” said the Maxima-sponsored Howerton, who deemed his day “exceptional for the conditions.” Howerton caught all of his fish on hand-poured 6-in Halloween pattern swimbaits.

Howerton’s biggest bass of the day weighed a jackpot winning 6.9 lbs. Howerton added $520 and a $400 gift certificate to Global Fish Mounts to his first place bounty of $1,001. Nice fish, but it wasn’t large enough to displace the series Okuma Jackpot of the Year leader, a 7.2-lb calico caught by Ed Keil at July’s La Jolla event.

Second place at Dana Point fell to Kerry Peeler who weighed in 17.68 lbs of sandbass.

“I caught them all before 8:00 in 60 to 62-ft of water,” Peeler said. He fished down and out from the harbor mouth with Howerton. Nick Meyer took third with a 12.75-lb score. 

Notably, several competitors hooked halibut while peppering the bottom with swimbaits and jigs for sandbass. Mark Ezell caught the largest, a 20-lber that put up an exciting fight on his 8-lb string. The fish didn’t count for a thing in the tournament, but certainly graced his dinner table. Ezell is the co-owner of Hook 1 Kayak Fishing Gear. 

The convincing win pushed Howerton’s lead in the overall points race to more than 23-lbs with only two tournaments to go. He is trailed by Peeler and Meyer.

Tournament organizer Drew Clark of Plastic Navy was pleased with the outcome. “The weather was perfect. The water was good. The fishing was all right,” Clark said.

With the winners out of the way, Clark got the raffle rolling. As usual, the Plastic Navy / WON competitors were treated to a bunch of great prizes from tournament sponsors. Tops this time were new beautiful new fishing kayaks from Wilderness Systems and Cobra Kayaks.

Perhaps no prize was as coveted as the Vendor Prize Pack from online kayak accessories shop Hook 1. It included virtually every item needed to turn a good kayak into a great fishing machine: a GTS Elite seatback and game bag from Surf to Summit; an Extrasport Solstice PFD; a Wheeleez Kayak Cart Mini; rod holders from Sea Dog Line, Scotty, and RAM; a bunch of reliable safety gear from Scotty; and more.     

Other highlights in the lucrative raffle included sunglasses from Costa del Mar, saltwater reels and kayak rods by Quantum, Promar nets and lobster hoops, Sport Chalet gift cards, Lowrance Electronics fishfinders, and Xtools floating fishing tools.

Every entrant received a Captain’s Bag stocked with lures, t-shirts, and Berkley FireLine Crystal, the world’s first translucent braid. 

Dana Point Jetski and Kayak Center extended a warm welcome to the tournament field. The shop is raffling off two $500 gift certificates, good for anything in the store. Dana Point Trail competitors have a full week to stop by and enter. Time is growing short – don’t miss your chance!

The 2007 Plastic Navy / WON kayak fishing Tournament Trail is headed into the home stretch. Although Howerton appears to have the overall Trail win wrapped up, remember, every one of the six Trail events is a stand-alone competition. First place is good for a minimum $1,001 in prize money, and there’s always a tasty lunch and ‘lux raffle. 

Expanded placement info is available at www.plasticnavy.com.

JACKPOT! – Angling powerhouse Ed Howerton shows off the 6.9-lb sandbass that kicked his 5-fish limit up to 23.92 lbs. Howerton took the jackpot and first place in the September 15 Plastic Navy / WON Tournament Trail event at Dana Point.

THAT’S NO SANDBASS – Mark Ezell was one of several competitors who dropped down for a sandy only to reel in a halibut. The 20-lb flatfish wasn’t worth a point in Plastic Navy competition, but the lucky kayak angler didn’t seem to mind.

HOOK 1 GOES LARGE WITH VENDOR PRIZE PACK – Online kayak accessories shop Hook 1 Kayak Fishing Gear assembled a great raffle prize. The Vendor Prize pack included a host of items to turn most any kayak into a fish-catching machine.

HOWERTON CASHES IN AGAIN – Howerton collects his first place and jackpot winnings from Plastic Navy tournament organizer Drew Clark. Howerton’s dominating performance pushed his lead in the race for Lowrance Electronics Angler of the Year out to more than 23-lbs.

SUPERCHARGED CARD – Trail sponsor Sport Chalet supports the Plastic Navy / WON Trail through their hotly coveted $50 gift cards. Offering tackle and paddlesports accessories alike, the chain features one-stop shopping for fish-crazed kayakers.

 COOL SHADES – Sunglass maker Costa del Mar is one of the kayak Trail’s most generous supporters. Several pairs of their stylish polarized shades have been given out at every event.

FISH CAN’T HIDE – Fishfinders from Lowrance Electronics have spiced the raffles at every 2007 Trail event. With sunlight-viewable full-color screens such as the one on this perfectly kayak-sized X67c, fish have nowhere to hide.