May 23, 2013
By Florida Sportsman Newswire
By Maria Hector
The fun and excitement kicked off at the Captains meeting May 17th at Brus Room in Pompano Beach.
According to the 113 registered anglers “the food was great, but the raffle prizes were insane!” There was $15,000 worth in winnings including a Hobie Lanai Kayak, GoPro Camera, Engel live bait cooler, Guy Harvey signed and numbered posters, Tigress Outrigger Kite, $850 worth in gift certificates from HOOK1 and ACK, Combo Rod and Reel from Custom Rod and Reel, Skwoosh and Yack Gear Kayak Seats, Gullwing Paddles, Australian Gold Packages, MTI Life Jackets and so much more!!! The best part is that proceeds benefit a very worthy cause the Broward Children's Center. After a very eventful night of grub and gifts the packed bar started clearing out around 9 p.m. with many hopeful competitors ready for the extreme day ahead.
It was still dark when the fishermen picked up their Bait at Aces Bait and Tackle. Afterward they headed straight to the Pompano Beach pier where they fueled up on Starbucks Coffee. The EKFT team made sure everyone had their safety equipment including safety flags which were donated from OEX Fishing Supplies. At 6:30 a.m. the horn went off and what a sight it was to see the Kayaks going into the deep blue with the lit up glow sticks provided by Diamond Braid. It was the start of an epic day…
At 9 a.m. sponsors started setting up their tents and the Volleyball players arrived to register for their tournament. Just about 30 minutes later Bungled and Botched started to perform on stage with Bluegrass sounds surrounding the beach. With more and more people coming to check out the fun festivities including free Paddle Board rentals from Surf World, games happening at the Brus Room tent, free frozen cocktails from Hot Tropic Properties and tents with free goodies throughout the day including Koozies and T-Shirts from Adventure Sports and Get Wet Active Wear, even free drinks provided by Pepsi and Budweiser as well as delicious tacos from Tijuana Flats. There was something for everyone!
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It really started to get intense when Joe Hector, the tournament director, started to receive phone calls from the help boats about the big kings and AJ's that were being caught in the early morning. By about noon a surprise from Andrew Mixon came to shore which had everyone in awe. The first wahoo caught on a Kayak in a tournament on the east coast. As more anglers came to shore so did the big kings and AJ's including a monster blackfin Tuna.
A total of 424 pounds of fish were weighed in from Kayaks making the May Madness a huge Success. Eric Digeon with a kingfish and AJ had a total weight of 46.13lbs and took home the $3,000 check provided by Turbo USA, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses and a gorgeous Trophy from Crown Trophy in Lauderhill. Brian Nelli was happy to come in second with his big black fin tuna which was 26.4 lbs and Kingfish for a total weight of 39.07lbs. Brian swooped up a nice Hobie Outback Kayak from main sponsor Nautical Ventures as well as Costa Del Mar Sunglasses and a plaque from Crown Trophy. Brian also caught a 17lb Barracuda which gave him rights to the Trash Can Slam title receiving another pair of Costa Del Mar Sunglasses as well as $100 gift certificate to Aruba Bar and Grill and a plaque from Crown Trophy. Carl Torresson came in 3rd Place with his King of 27.6 lbs as well as a nice Grouper and received a Hobie Revolution Kayak from Nautical Ventures with Costa Del Mar Sunglasses and a plaque from Crown Trophy. Carl also won biggest pelagic fish giving him the rights to a SUP ATX Paddle Board, a beautiful Guy Harvey Jewelry Necklace and yet another plaque from Crown Trophy. Austin Collins fetched 4th place with two kings and a total weight of 34.05lbs earning him a Dicks Sporting Goods Eagle Talon 12, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses and a plaque from Crown Trophy.
As the winners came up on stage Korbel Champagne was popped open and sprayed amongst the screaming and excited audience and then emptied into the very large Trophy for all the winners to drink. The day exceeded anyone's expectations and the extreme excitement keeps building to new heights.
The next Extreme Kayak/Paddle Board Fishing Tournament is scheduled for September 28th, 2013. Please check out www.extremekayakfishing.com for all the latest photos, updates and information.
