Homer Winter King Derby- Kayak Division!...maybe.

At the risk of asking a dumb question, did you guys go right out from shore last year or charter out somewhere? I've never been to Homer...let alone fished it, so I'm not familiar at all. However, I'm definitely charged up and planning to do this.

Depending on the number of kayak entrants, we should see about having 6 yaks be considered as a single "boat" for the side bets. It could give us a bit of "team spirit."

Regarding prizes for kayak fishers, have you considered reaching out to some of the larger online retailers and/or a fishing kayak maker like Hobie? I'm sure everyone has their favorite online shops, but I have spent a ton of money with Austin Canoe and Kayak--I'd bet for a little pub, those kind of places could drop some sort of gear for a prize.

-Jeff

We used ATV's to run from Bishops Beach North to fish the bluffs.  The intel at the time was it held fewer but larger fish.  But we launched right from the beach.  Not sure what i plan to do this year...I guess it depends on the intel. 

While I like the concept of teaming up for the side bets...I have visions of fortune and glory...you want me to split the pot???  lol.  Actually its not a bad idea since the side bets can run up to a $1,000 per boat!  If we have 5 or 6 folks willing to participate, I think my line of thinking would be to get a water taxi booked well in advance and head over towards Seldovia or the Islands.

I need to get back to Jim Lavrakas, Homer Chamber Director.  I'll be hitting up all the suggestions soon plus maybe places like Alaska Raft and Kayak where I ordered my Yaks.  I've spent good money at ACK as well. 

If you haven't had a chance, here are the videos from last year.  We didn't catch any fish, but a lot of power boats didn't catch any fish either.  I want to enter fish this year!!!!!!!!!

Understood regarding side bets! I just want to ride your coattails, Rudy.  You are the winter king master,  right?

I'd kick in on a water taxi. Being where the fish might be would seem like a fairly good idea!

Understood regarding side bets! I just want to ride your coattails, Rudy.  You are the winter king master,  right?

I'd kick in on a water taxi. Being where the fish might be would seem like a fairly good idea!

Lol. I really want to clarify that I was joking!  And no, a dozen kings certainly doesn't make me a master given charters hit that in a single day!  My ten year goal is to win the derby from a kayak. My 5 year goal is to place in the money.  My three year goal is to land a king (this is year two!) This year, I'd like to see 6 kayakers from NWKA and for at least half of us to enter a fish. I already got my "enter the derby safely" goal done.

Unlike the October derby which over  2 days had more than two entries per person (and who knows how many didn't even bother to enter their fish) the march one day derby had 160 fish for over 700 anglers.

Even if they don't let us team up. I'd like to register or at least make sure people talk about us as "Team NWKA Alaska" to give credit to this site for giving us a place to organize and frankly teach me at least how to get it done from a kayak.

I think as it gets closer, we will open up a strategy board.  Gather intel on where the fish are.  The water taxi idea is good since even if the weather is pretty nasty, there are always places to hide amongst all the coves and such.  If we rely on launching from the beach, a west wind could screw us.  Weather is always iffy so maximizing the potential is important. But typically they err on the safe side since a lot of smaller boats fish it as well.

But I want to hear what the rest of you think.  If the goal is to do everything to catch the biggest fish, the strategy maybe different than to simply maximize our odds of landing a king.  We went big last year to win it and fished the bluffs.  Big exposed water with very few fish...even for the power boaters.

Ideally I will be prefishing it.  If kings are holding by the spit, that's a super option. You can just hit the area hard and big fish have been pulled out of there during the derby.

At any rate, getting all excited about it and it's not too far off!  Let's field a good team this year and show the powerboats HOW IT'S DONE!!!!!!!!!

Kard...you up for some fishing anytime soon?  I'm planning on heading down there to check out the winter action in the next week or so.

I am always willing!!!! But now my schedule is chaos. My fiancée took off for NY, this storm hits and now for the foreseeable short term future, I'm a single dad of two kids!!! Lol.

But I'm eyeing up the marine weather. Anything less than or equal to 15jlknts and three feet, I'd consider taking a day off next week. I'd up it to 20knts and 4ft if the wind is easterly in any way. 

If there are at least two of us, want to consider a ride out to the Islands?  Less exposure and more fish....I think!!! 

So in short, can't through Sunday. But will take a day off the next week if marine weather looks good!!!!


AlaskaKayakFisher.com
Guidesak.blogspot.com
My personal pages...I'm not a guide.

I'm game for a ride to the islands...or anything that might help me pop my yak cherry for a king.

Andy,  weather looks like ti might get better early next week.  I will let you know if I decide to head out.  It's a matter of weather and the kids since I am bacheloring it for another two to three weeks and I have the kids every other week.

Oh, Andy and Matt, are you planning to enter the winter derby if you participate in your Adventure Islands?  I need to get a proposed set a rules to Jim for what exactly is a kayak division.  I was going to submit the AOTY rules but then thought it wouldn't include you guys.  The flip side is if we define it has a non motorized division, I think there are folks who may fish it off of large sailboats...that's ok but it would take the spotlight away from the kayaks.

What do you guys think?  Willing to go without sails? Or do you have your heart set on using the AI.  Either way is ok with me though my primary goal is to highlightt the kayak fishing.

I'll plan on going out sometime next week for a day or two if it quits raining and the roads dry up.

As for the derby, I'll have to double check my schedule to be certain if I'll be in town or not.  If I am, I really don't have a preference on the kayak I use.  It depends more on the water conditions for me. 

If you did a non-motorized division, you could specify that the boat can't even have a motor aboard.  Look at the rules from the Seldovia derby.

Ah... There ya go. Pretty much all sailboats have a kicker to get out of the harbor. Good call.