This week's adventure for the kayak crowd was the 2nd Annual Kayak Fishing Meet & Greet at Fort Fisher, hosted by Druminator, and featuring his dad on the grill! I'd estimate somewhere between 30 and 40 kayak anglers made it out to the Fort for meeting, greeting, fishing, eating and checking out the other boats.
I put a bunch of NCangler faces to names out there, but its a bit of a blur right now. Here's an attempt to list the ones I had not met or fished with before - Druminator, NCMalibuEx, Straps57, Moseyak, Ebogdanski, 69corps, CarolinaFly, Erayyak, Nraycroft, RouseD, NCPierMan, Mulletman, Cody (Yak4fish Jr.). Repeat offenders were Lefty, me (JeffONC), Mikefromsa, Skooteri, Yak4fish. I'm sure I missed a handful - if I missed your handle, let me know and I'll get your attendance recorded! (Have seen posts from Fishgent, Eric6708, Meatloaf1991, Buckeyejoe, Flyr6105, EastCoastYak, Redneck Paddler, Msgdan from SC/KFS - don't recall formally meeting you guys, but that doesn't mean I didn't, just means I didn't get it written down).
Checkin with Druminator at the Federal Point boat ramp. No blast off - groups came in waves and launched as they were ready. Initial plan was to head about 3 miles down to crossover #4 for lunch. His Hurricane Phoenixes still safely on top of the truck.
Preparing to Launch. I brought the green Search 15 in the foreground - its still pretty stripped as the only add so far is a scotty mount on the console. Moseyak's blue Pungo is next, then Lefty's Manta. Further out you see Yak4fish and his son with their Native Ultimates (including 1 with the new Native pedal drive (more on that in a bit).
Route Map - Initial plan in green - start at the federal point boat ramp, pass behind Zeke's Island, through the Cribbins area and up to beach access 4. The wind had other ideas and we shortened it to the blue which got us into the protected area behind Zeke's and we would eat at beach access 2. However, when Druminator's dad tried to get on the beach, he found that they have closed beach access due to the nesting shorebirds. Final plan in yellow - return to the boat ramp for lunch & festivities. Wasn't what was planned, but you deal with what you can't control and it worked out fine. Great tailwind on the paddle back!
The wind may have kicked up but I had a great time, thank you to everyone. It was great to see everyone and their custom boats gave me some ideas of what I need to do. Did manage to catch one redfish about 19 or 20" and saw several more caught. Hope everyone had a safe trip back home.
jeff, great job on the photo's i was wondering what you were doing above me when i went for more bait. i may not be an avid yakker but despite the wind i had a great job out there with you all it was great to put names to faces. i got to see alot of things out there like a logger head turtle and alot of scenery ive never seen. i didnt get a red i beleive i had one on the first bend where i was tossing the net first thing but i lost it i did manage a short flounder and 2 small black tip sharks. it was a great event and id like to thank druminator and his dad for every thing they did to get it going and for making it a sucess !!! this day makes me want to look into finding a yak to fish from every now and then.
__________________ RED DRUM ITS NOT AN OBSESSION ITS A PASSION
Ashley, great job on putting this event together! Thank you and your dad for the food and just putting an opportunity for all of us to get together, meet, eat and just enjoy the sport of kayak fishing.
Big thanks to all those who sponsored and donated the prizes (like the Scotty rod holder I won). It's nice to see some of the big hitters (Hook1 and others) show their continuing support and effort for this growing sport.
It sure was good to meet all of those who showed up yesterday, and glad to see so many make it out.
I would be curious to find out how the "2nd attempt" group did yesterday afternoon, and whether or not the incoming tide proved profitable for them or not.
Looking forward to the next time I can meet up with some of you to fish again...
Nathan
__________________ Thankful for every minute on the water; more so when there are fish in my kayak!
nraycoft, I saw that. Great meeting you. It was a great experience meeting everyone. Thks again to Ashley and his dad for making the event happen. Had horrible problems with tendenitis. I should have stayed on land with Ashley and his dad to help with the preparations, but even though I was with the crowd who went the wrong way, and had to drag my yak over miles of sand, it was still fun. I only caught a crab on a redfish magic. It was all I could do to paddle this time. I'll get em next time. This tendonitis can't last forever. Only caught a crab, didn't win anything, had to paddle through the wind with tendonitis, but would not have given anything for being with such a great group of people.
The Kayaks Storm Fort Fisher!
06-29-2008 12:19 AM
