Columbus - Lake Harding - Georgia Kayak Fishing Tournament

GEORGIA KAYAK FISHING TOURNAMENT - LAKE HARDING
March 12-13, 2010

I was fortunate enough to have time to help with this tournament just north of Columbus, GA as a volunteer. Great fun and what a day!

Temps were supposed to get into the low 60's with clearing skies. Ha! Never got out of the high 40's or very low 50's with wind and some rain thrown in for awhile. Water like chocolate milk because of the recent rains. Just not one of those days one would pick to go fishing.

And, yet, fish they did! Over fifty participants really sucked it up and had a great day. The first place winner, who had to borrow a kayak to compete, won a brand spanking new Ocean Kayak Trident 13 complete with a new Hummin Bird fishfinder, personal floatation device, Capt. Dick's stake out pole and anchor trolley system. Over $2000 worth of goodies!

Plus there were two other kayaks given away. One to a best fish military member and another to a junior fisherman. Then there were the raffle prizes. Great fun!

Here's where it starts. The headquarters for the Captain's Meeting on Friday night before the Saturday tournament.

(Click on any image to enlarge)

Sam and Tony prepare the Captains' Bags.

And there were a lot of'em!

Sitting off the to side was the First Place Prize . . . just waiting.

Did I mention it was cold Saturday morning . . . well, all day actually.

But Saturday the fishing began after a shotgun start attended and filmed by Cefus of the Nuts and Bolts of Fishing and Boating show!

After the start the kayakers began heading out in hopes of hitting the jackpot!

Miscellaneous pictures from the event:

If you missed the BBQ sandwiches from Country's Barbeque (free to the participants), well, you just flat missed out.  These were outstanding!!

Randy (River Pirate) gets some fly casting tips from the TFO guy.  This is one of the other great benefits of participating.  Getting advice from pros and savvy amateurs regarding all kinds of stuff relating to fishing and kayaks.

Stan from Capt. Dick's helps a participant with some rigging details.

The "Sultan of Slime" holds forth regarding fish catching with his secret formula (which you can buy).  He had the fish to back up his words, too!

. . . and more pix.

Some of the kayak winners.

All in all a great time!

For information on the remaining Georgia Kayak Fishing Tournaments click HERE

Nuts and Bolts of Fishing and Boating put together a really neat video HERE

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LINKS:

Current Georgia river levels: Real Time Georgia StreamflowSolunar Tables for your zip code: HERERigging your kayak: Captain Dick
Interactive map by Angling Technologies: HEREFORUMS
Georgia Kayak Fishing
Georgia River Fishing
Jax Kayak Fishing
Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing (you might need to be registered to view this one)

FLY FISHING RESOURCES
Fly Fishing West Georgia
Books and DVD by George Roberts:
Master the Cast
Fly Fisherman's Guide to Saltwater Naturals and Their ImitationSaltwater Casting - 10 Steps to Distance and Power (DVD)

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If you are a resident of Georgia and like to fish from a kayak I recommend becoming a supporting member of the Georgia Kayak Fishing Association located at GeorgiaKayakFishing.com.