By; Capt. Pat Horrigan

National Director of Tournaments

The Kayak Fishing ClassicS launched the 2012 Series Year on January 7 with returning sponsors and many new top company sponsors. The contestant field was set and locked by January 5 as anglers pre-fished the two launch areas, Double Branch Creek and Rocky Creek in Old Tampa Bay.

The anglers were looking forward to the 3 Redfish Slam and to put the ClassicS new scoring system to the test. Well that they did with several very nice slams photo recorded on a sunny, warm day with the bay water temperature at 58 degrees.

Many anglers searched for reds in potholes in the two fabled creeks while others worked their way out onto the flats just outside the creeks mouths as the sun warmed the water. The largest redfish went to Walt Ruda with a 29 inch chubby red that won him the Bending Branches Big Fish Award and several pats on the back from his many friends.

Rick Klosicki wins .01

Rick Klosicki slammed the Old Tampa Bay Classic with a total of 71.8 inches for three reds and top honors netting him the lion’s share of over $8,000.00 in Sponsor Gear Prizes. In his mix of lures were the ever famous MirrOlure 27MR to score one of his three in the slam. His largest red at 25.2 inches gave him quite a fight on the light tackle in the shallow water.

Bill White made sure that his trek from Georgia was worth it by slamming the Classic for Second Place with three nice reds, the largest a 28 inch fatty that did not want to give up. Bill used D.O.A. Lures and RiverBum Flies to subdue the reds for a total of 70.6 inches. Bill also located his reds on the flats and had a lot of fun in the shallow water fly fishing for the triple hook up.

Mark Knowles photo weighed in a slam also at 70.6 inches and captured Third Place in the Classic with his triple threat of reds. All beautiful with the largest at 28.2 inches and sporting one of the bluest tails that we have ever seen. No one really knows why some reds have such blue tails but it is always a pleasure to look at them.   

In Fourth Place with a total of 55.5 inches was Daniel Currey who also slammed the Classic, which is no surprise. Daniel is another top Gulf Coast kayak angler who follows the ClassicS Saltwater Series and often does quite well.

Marty Meakin gathered in Fifth Place using a combination of D.O.A. Shad Tails and MirrOlure 18MR’s. The highly experienced angler entered a total of 53.2 inches with his slam and had a great time catching them and fishing with old and new friends alike. Marty also won the new RAILBLAZA Action Photo Award and the sponsor gear that went with it. The ClassicS is gathering action photo shots for use in the KFC Tournament Trail Magazine and subsequent articles.

Overall, the Old Tampa Bay Classic was a huge success in fishing and introducing the contestants to the new scoring system and all of the 2012 Sponsors. Next stop is Weedon Island on February 18 for the Mammoth Redfish & Trout Classic. Visit the ClassicS at www.KayakFishingClassicS.com and we’ll see you there.