Kayak fishing takes world stage

The stage is set for the 2012 Hobie Fishing World Championship, presented by Daiwa, as 42 anglers from 13 countries descend on Lake Bastrop in Austin, Texas.

The stage is set for the 2012 Hobie Fishing World Championship presented by Daiwa, as 42 anglers from 13 countries descend on Lake Bastrop in Austin, Texas. Tuesday, November 6 is the first day of competition and the first step to the title of World Champion. Each angler will compete from identically rigged Hobie Pro Angler 12s equipped with Lowrance Electronics mounted by RAM Mounting Systems.

The event itself is unique in that each year not only does the location of the event change but the continent and species change, too. After last year’s saltwater bream quest in Port Macquarie, Australia, anglers will welcome the challenge of Texas trophy bass fishing. The Australian contingent, led by reigning champion Scotty Baker from Victoria, has traveled 1,400 miles to defend the title and grab a taste of what Texas has to offer. Steve Fields, managing director of Hobie Cat Australia, put it best when he said with a big grin, “Bass and BBQ, how much better can it get?”

After Day One on Lake Bastrop, anglers will move to Fayette County Reservoir for the final two days of competition. The scoring will be “Catch, Photograph, Release” or CPR. Anglers will turn in their best three fish each day and the champion will be determined by the best three-day aggregate.

The United States team includes the following 13 anglers from nine different states:

  1. Brendan Bayard – Louisiana
  2. Justin Carter – South Carolina
  3. Jose Chavez – Florida
  4. John “JD” Donahue – Florida
  5. Keeton Eoff – Texas
  6. Brad Kirn – Florida
  7. Dave Maynard – Colorado
  8. Rob Milam – Texas
  9. Marty Mood – Florida
  10. Benton Parrott – Alabama
  11. Morgan Promnitz – California
  12. Michael Rischer – Oregon
  13. Jackie Smith – Missouri

Stay tuned for more coverage.

The Hobie Fishing World Championship presented by Daiwa is made possible through the sponsorship and strong support of the following premier brands: Hobie Cat Company kayaks, Daiwa fishing, Lowrance Electronics, RAM Mounting Systems, Hobie Polarized Eyeware, Gamakatsu/ Spro, Columbia Sportswear, Gene Larew's lures, Bass Assassin lures,Chums, Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)and Smokey Denmark Sausages BBQ.