By Paul Lebowitz

April 18, 2008

Fine weather makes up for slow fishing at Plastic Navy’s 2008 Tournament Trail debut

SAN DIEGO – The 160 kayak anglers gathered at Dana Landing for the Fastlane Kayak Fishing Frenzy couldn’t have asked for a better weather day. It was gorgeous on Mission Bay on Saturday, with a high blue sky, next to no wind, and plenty of warm sun for the first event in the 2008 Hobie Kayaks Plastic Navy Tournament Trail Presented by Western Outdoor News.

“Go out and have a good time. Catch fish!” Plastic Navy tournament director Drew Clark said as he sent the field of bass-fixated anglers scrambling for their ‘yaks. The clock hit 7:00, scattering kayakers into every corner of the bay in search of the heaviest 5-fish tournament limit.

It was a task that wasn’t as kindly as the weather. Most struggled through a challenging tidal sequence that started with an outgoing flush then transitioned to a long lull lasting nearly to the closing gun. 

Brian Sanner of Team Wilderness Systems solved the puzzle, claiming first place and a $1,001 payout with an 8.66-lb 5-fish string. Sanner fished Fiesta Bay opposite Ski Beach and flogged the water all day with a firetiger spinnerbait. He got a few good fish right off the bat, but then the tide hit slack and the bite died.

“I just had to wait it out. There was no sense to moving around. Why leave fish to find fish?” Sanner observed later.

Okuma’s Dave Brown followed the same strategy nearby at the ‘Bowling Pin,’ compiling a 6.48-lb limit on Berkley Frenzy crankbaits to end up just hundredths of a pound out of third place. That fell to jet-setter and Plastic Navy powerhouse Ed Howerton (6.56 lbs). He and his fishing partner Dennis Burlason stepped off a flight from Panama on the eve of the tournament. Missing the chance to prefish in the days leading up to the contest barely slowed the pair.

“I never put a lure on until this morning,” Burlason revealed. He and Howerton banked on their confidence zone, a place where trolled plugs consistently pay off with bigger fish. “I figured it would hold. I only brought crankbaits. If it didn’t, I was done.”

Burlason managed just four legal bass, but one weighed in at 2.45-lbs and claimed the Global Fish Mounts Jackpot good for cash and a $400 replica mount. His cumulative score of 7.55-lbs earned second place and a $400 custom stick from CC Custom Rods.

Once the fishing was done, the crowd of anglers gathered at Fastlane Sailing and Kayak Center for a fantastic Mexican taqueria feast prepared by Gorditas Perez 2. The Plastic Navy crew handed out hundreds of dollars of blind bogey cash – bass of 0.7, 0.9, and 1 lb paid off far out of proportion to their sizes. 

Then it was time to start the angler raffle, and just as it always is, it was stocked with great prizes. Okuma gave away a veritable parade of Baidarka kayak rods and Induron and Alumina reels. Given the bright sun, folks who won stylish Costa del Mar sunglasses were the envy of the crowd. Electronic goodies from Lowrance really stood out – VHF radios, a navigation system, and a color handheld waterproof fishfinder. And then there was SPOT Satellite Messenger, a gizmo to call for help when the fat is in the fire.

Berkley came strong, with so many 5-in Saltwater Gulp Jerkshad bait packs nearly every competitor took one home. “These are excellent baits, in all the right colors. Plastic Navy approved for use in Mission Bay,” quipped Clark, a Berkley staffer. Clark and his cohorts also awarded a mountain of Trilene Maxx spools, Clark’s favorite.

Sport Chalet offered gift cards; Seaguar proffered their superior 100 percent fluorocarbon line. Premier Kayak had a unique splash guard available for the asking. And American Battery, CC Custom Rods, Hook 1 Kayak Fishing Gear, and Tenacious Baits all awarded raffle winners top quality gear.

Plastic Navy kayak fishing competition resumes on June 21 at Newport Harbor, where the field of anglers fishing the plastic fantastic will converge for the Southwind Kayaks Bass Attack.  To sign up or for expanded Mission Bay placement info, visit www.PlasticNavy.com, and stay tuned to the pages of WON for on-going Tournament Trail coverage.

HOBIE IN THE HOUSE – Plastic Navy’s Mission Bay party was hosted by Ron Lane (left) at his Fastlane Sailing and Kayaking Center, the city of San Diego’s top-flight Hobie Kayaks dealer. Lane and Hobie raffled off a pair of incredible prizes, one of the company’s slick new Livewells (veritable bass hotels), plus this Mirage Outback Fish hands-free fishing machine won by lucky competitor David Wilson (right). Look for more great Hobie gear all along the Tournament Trail; Hobie is on board as the series’ title sponsor.

RAFFLE TO THE MAXX – Berkley is one of Plastic Navy’s biggest backers. The company’s support for kayak fishing showed in a great line-up of give-aways, including bay bass staples Trilene Maxx and Saltwater Gulp.

AND THEY’RE OFF – Nearly 160 kayakers paddled out at Mission Bay for the Fastlane Kayak Fishing Frenzy, the first event in the four stop Hobie Kayaks Plastic Navy Tournament Trail Presented by Western Outdoor News. The kayak bass fishing action will continue throughout the year. Don’t miss the next contest; the Southwind Kayaks Bass Attack fishes Newport Bay on June 21.

FRECKLED FISH – Mike Boemke shows off the star of Plastic Navy’s Mission Bay show, the spotted bay bass. This nice specimen weighed in at 2.3-lbs, just a hair out of jackpot territory.

AN EXPECTANT CROWD GATHERS – Stuffed with Plastic Navy’s traditional Mexican-style lunch, competitors wait with bated breath to learn the day’s results and win one of the fabulous raffle prizes.

SANNER AT THE TOP – Fastlane Frenzy champ Brain Sanner (left) receives congratulations and $1,001 from Plastic Navy tournament director Drew Clark. A consistent top finisher, this was Sanner’s first Trail victory. Sanner’s 5-bass limit clocked in at 8.66 lbs.

BURLASON HITS THE JACKPOT – Bass threat Dennis Burlason stepped off a plane from Panama on tournament eve. The lack of a prefish session didn’t show much if at all. Burlason’s 2.45-lb kicker fish scored the Global Fish Mounts Jackpot and propelled him to a second place finish.

HOWERTON RIGHT BACK WHERE HE STARTED – Here’s third place finisher Ed Howerton. The irrepressible angler and defending 2007 Tournament Trail Angler of the Year ended up right back in the money.