2015 NWKA Alaska Yak Classic report (results edited)

First of all, I want to thank every one that came out.  Great to see new faces! 

I think we had a dozen folks, maybe a couple more.  There were other folks that were surfcasting that had kayaks.  Not sure if they would have entered fish or not.  So Andy and I have made all three.  Mike made the last two.  Everyone else was new.  So its great to see new people all the time. But I hope I'm not scaring away the other folks who have come out in the past. 

The weather in terms of the water could have been better.  We had calm seas mixed with 3 ft chop on day one.  Day two was forecasted to be light and variable winds.  Turned into at least 15knts with 6 foot or better rollers coming through when you got off shore.

We had one incident where a Pro Angler capsized on Day 1.  Thanks to the guys who went out and helped him out.  I heard he filled with water do to an unsecured hatch?  Maybe some one could relay the story a little.  It might be embarrassing but its important to learn from mistakes.  How ridiculous would it be if someone got hurt next year doing the same thing? 

There was talk about having another get together.  Let's start another thread and do it up!  I had a great time!!!

Oh.  The results.  Here are the fish entered.  A bunch more were caught but there were a lot of little chickens in the area.

Kardinal_84:  47"
kardinal_84:  44"
McLucky:       39.5"
Kardinal_84   38"
Kardinal_84   38" (not duplicate)
RDRASH        36"
AKFishRipper 32"
Memkis         32"
Memkis         30"
Nick              29"

Now keep in mind, here in Alaska, if you take a charter, one of your two fish limit has to be under 29".  So these are all good eater fish for sure.  Bigger ones will be more abundant soon.

So McLucky, RdRash, AkFishripper, Memkis.  Stand by for a PM sometime later this week.  We will pick in that order (the tie between Memkis and AKFishripper I'm going to give to AkFishRipper for first entered if that's an issue we can flip a coin.)

The choices for you guys are:
Shimano Trevala MH Jig Stick
Shimano 1000 LD Charter Special Reel http://www.tackledirect.com/tr1000ld.html
Ambassdor 5500C3 baitcaster
Combo Pack : NRS Life Jacket, Pelican Waterproof case, 40L Dry Bag
I have other stuff to so I will just distribute.

I gotta keep the trophy. Sorry. 

 So the other thread was getting nice and long so let's do a results page.  Post up your reports here with any pics ya got!  I guess I never said it formally, but the price of entry is a report and what ya thought about everything.  The fishing, format, what could be better.  I do things a certain way for a reason...mainly laziness but also a little liability deflection.  But i will certainly take all into consideration.  '

If there is any real organized interest, I am also completely willing to hand this over to someone to run with.

Once again thanks everyone!  I'm uploading some stuff now.   I had a great time!!!!!

Congrats Rudy you are a fishing machine .

Congrats Rudy you are a fishing machine .

Lol.  Thanks!  I wish I could take more credit than dropiing herring to the bottom but Lady Luck does seem to make a point of hammering me in every aspect of life EXCEPT fishing and for that I am grateful!

Day 1 video;  Edited from iphone so not very good.  Missed a few thanks to new Hero 4 silver plus small ones I didn't bother videoing to save batteries.

Don't forget my 36"  with  fishripper, memkis and Mike with the tape measure

Don't forget my 36"  with  fishripper, memkis and Mike with the tape measure

Oops! Sorry.  I had bigger prizes for the top three...so You pick second.

I amended the choice list!

My report.

I had a great time and was waffling on going or not, but am so happy I did.

Thoughts

1.

A central spot to enter fish and a leader board. I can supply a leader board for next year. As far as entering fish I think a hog trough at the entry spot left out for everyone to use is pretty simple. Most of us have smart phones so a quick pic showing the board and the whole fish would work for me. If weather is bad we can do the measuring and leader board in the vestibule on my tent.

2.
If I make the trip next year and I don't see why I wouldn't I'll plan on providing a meal Saturday night for 25-35 people. Spouses and kids included.
3.
Rudy is limited to single barbless hook with no bait and has to use a hand line

Memkis gave me a free lesson on how to land in the surf, at mid and high tide the beach is pretty steep and the water was crashing.  Memkis came in nice and smooth making it look easy.

 Way to go Alaskan bro's. Sounds like all had a good time and a few new faces this year. All good stuff.
 
 Rudy maybe should be limited  to his Barbie Pole next year. He may catch a bigger fish..... but he might lose it too. just sayin.

 Thanks for taking the rest of us along for the ride.

AWESOME stuff guys!!  Looks like you all had fun!

Day 2 compilation.  First fish in video was the 44" fish. Now watch how a pro dispatches a halibut. Lol. Who needs a gun???  Yah right. That was my third attempt.

But watch how "spine-ing" a fish is every bit as good as gun. Didn't flop at all but was still twitching at launch after bleeding. Strange.

I had a blast the first day and was lucky enough to land my first Halibut. The rest of you were comfortable with the water after Saturday morning but I am just not there yet.  All in good time I will get there.  It was really nice to meet everyone and  greatly appreciated all the support.  Rudy thank you for putting this together and giving everyone a reason to come together.  I did get a video of landing my halibut which could be a great training vid of what not to do.   I had a great plan and then I caught a fish and my plan fell apart.  LOL.  Ill post the vid when I get a chance.

Great pic RdRash!!

McLucky, you totally had the right idea. Heck, support boat and crew? I'm going to have to fish with ya more often!!!!!! It was uber cool to meet you and your crew! 

Pick your days cuz ya gotta be comfortable. Confidence is absolutely one of the top "essentials". I'll handline or use a Barbie rod in a place and lure I have confidence in over using a real rod and reel in a place of set up I don't have confidence in.

Yah got the first one out of the way. You met us and we are pretty normal (except Memkis. Dear Lord, that man is frickin' a beast!!!  Lol).  No need to go when uncomfortable unless like me you are incapable of doing anything other than work or fish.

Let's do it again!!! Woohoo!!!  I had a blast!!!!!!  Thank you both for coming!!!!

Day 2 compilation.  First fish in video was the 44" fish. Now watch how a pro dispatches a halibut. Lol. Who needs a gun???  Yah right. That was my third attempt.

But watch how "spine-ing" a fish is every bit as good as gun. Didn't flop at all but was still twitching at launch after bleeding. Strange.

Doh private setting. Fix when I get back.