By Paul Lebowitz

January 11, 2006

If you’re bold enough to name your inaugural year-long competition West Coast Whoppers (WCW), you’re expecting some big fish. But the results exceeded even the wildest dreams of the WCW organizers at kayak fishing website Big Water’s Edge. “I’m amazed by the number of big fish after big fish, real jaw droppers. They started at New Year’s with a big yellowtail and a 40-pound halibut,” said tournament director Corey Wyrick. 

The tally of whoppers is a real eye-opener. The largest fish of the year, a fat 55-pound white seabass, propelled Gabe Martin to victory in the Big Fish division of Kayak Sportfishing’s March Dana Point tournament. Several big halibut made it to the scales, topped off by Brad Messmer’s 48-pound Torrey Pines trophy.

Larry Lauman’s massive 50-pound yellowtail seemed unassailable when he landed the fish in late October, but Arne Rovell edged it out with his own 52-pound forktail about three weeks later. And to think, all of these fish were taken on kayaks that scarcely weighed more than the fish, by anglers who paddled out through the surf or from a harbor mouth.

By the time December rolled around, the WCW was pretty much a three horse race between the aforementioned Messmer and Rovell and Andrew Allen, who earlier this year became the first two-time winner of the annual La Jolla Kayak Fishing Moyer Memorial Tournament. Rovell’s kayak record yellowtail edged him into the lead, but the dogfight wasn’t decided until he held off his two rivals during some of the best December yellowtail fishing La Jolla has seen in years. Rovell ended the year with 685 points. Allen, just 28 points behind, would have claimed the win with one more solid catch. He got his fish just hours late, on New Year’s Day 2006, which gives Allen the early lead in this year’s WCW contest. Messmer finished third with 632 points. 

Rovell didn’t spend much time celebrating his achievement. “The win felt great for a couple minutes into 2006, then I realized it was over and a new year was upon us.

Sure, I worked hard to win the WCW and put in my time on the water, but I feel lucky to have done it and blessed to have had the opportunity to fish as often as I did in 2005,” said Rovell, who credited a long list of kayak anglers for making a marked difference in his fishing as he learned from their early postings and journals.

A Whopper – WCW winner Arne Rovell with one of the big yellowtail that sped him to victory in the inaugural contest put on by kayak fishing website Big Water’s Edge. Rovell’s point total was anchored by a 52-pound yellowtail, a 53-pound white seabass, and a 29-pound halibut.

Just Another Big Fish From a Small Boat – WCW second place finisher Andrew Allen with one of the 19 yellowtail he landed from his kayak in 2005. The whoppers tallied by WCW competitors were all landed by anglers who paddled out through the surf or launched onto a harbor.

Rovell singled out his rivals for particular praise, calling Allen a “pioneer of the sport” and an “incredible competitor.” “Messmer,” said Rovell, “always gives back more than he takes.”

Although the 2005 contest was a smashing success, BWE is instituting a few changes that should make 2006 even better. Most importantly, a portion of this year’s proceeds will benefit the Hubbs-Seaworld White Seabass Project. As for the rules, the biggest difference is a shift from a weekly to a monthly “weigh-in” schedule. This year, only three fish will be counted each month, and all must be a different one of the eligible species. There are two notable exceptions, a mulligan and the opportunity to weigh-in a kayak-caught exotic such as a yellowfin tuna. Also new this year is an incentive that should encourage the release of smaller fish. According to WCW organizer Corey Wyrick, the changes for 2006 should give anglers who can’t get out each week a better chance to be competitive. To learn more, visit BigWatersEdge.com.