Sanchez Wins IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Event at Aransas, TX
OutdoorHub 06.10.14
James Sanchez, of Corpus Christi, Texas, measured a combined limit of 42.00 inches to win the final regular-season event for the Texas Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing on June 8 at Aransas Pass, Texas.
After fishing the IFA Kayak Tour for the past two seasons, the Aransas Pass event marks Sanchez’ first IFA Kayak Tour win. The angler reported windy conditions, making for a difficult two and half mile run. Sanchez targeted grass beds in two to three feet of water with top-water baits, soft plastics and spoons.
“The winds affected the bite today,” said Sanchez. “My pre-fishing efforts paid off though. I was pretty surprised I was able to do so well considering the conditions.”
For first place, Sanchez received $1,500 and a Power-Pole Micro Anchor, valued at $700. The angler improved his winnings by participating in the Anglers Advantage program and added $546 in cash.
Matthew Moccia, of Manchaca, Texas, measured a 21.75-inch redfish and a 17.25-inch speckled sea trout for combined total of 39.00 inches. Moccia’s second-place finish was his first trip to the winner’s stage in his two years fishing the IFA Kayak Tour. The angler took home $1,000 in second-place prize money, plus $266 in Anglers Advantage cash.
To catch his fish, Moccia targeted grass beds along wind-blown shores with Berkley Gulp!
Collin Elrod, of Corpus Christi, Texas, failed to boat a trout, but his 28.00-inch redfish earned the angler $500 for third place and a $100 Cabela’s gift card for the Berkley Gulp! Big Fish award.
The fastest-growing kayak fishing tournament trail in the country, the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing events are catch-photograph-release tournaments, offering inshore kayak anglers from a multitude of states the opportunity to participate in competitive fishing tournaments with low entry fees and minimal travel requirements.
For more information or to become a member of the IFA, visit www.ifatours.com. To discover more about kayaking and Hobie Fishing go to www.hobiefishing.com.
IFA events are made possible through the sponsorship and continued support of these well-respected brands: Hobie Fishing, Ranger Boats, Cabela’s, Lucas Oil, Yamaha Outboards, RAM, Berkley Gulp!, Berkley Gulp! Alive!, PENN Reels, Spiderwire, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Power-Pole, Amphibia, Arctic Ice, Protect the Harvest, General Tire, Bob’s Machine Shop, Blue Point Fabrication, SuperClean, Progressive, Mustang Survival, iON Cameras, Valley Fashions, Powertex Group and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Redfish Willie’s and Seaworthy Marine.
IFA Kayak Tour – Aransas Pass, Texas (Top 10)
1. James Sanchez – 42.00 inches
2. Matthew Moccia – 39.00 inches
3. Collin Elrod – 28.00 inches
4. John Canion – 27.88 inches
5. Jesse Bondoc – 27.50 inches
6. Temo Martinez – 25.00 inches
7. Chad Menard – 22.50 inches
8. Louis Conn – 21.75 inches
9. Cameron Barghi – 21.25 inches
10. Cody Prather – 17.25 inches
