Bramblet Holds Lead, Smith and Meakin Give Chase

The Tampa Bay Slam Classic was held Saturday, September 24 and Bob Bramlet managed to retain his series lead for the fourth tournament in a row. Richard Smith won the slam tournament by ten points or one eighth of an inch over Marty Meakin. Bramblet came in third place without a slam allowing the field to close the gap on his once insurmountable lead with just one more tournament remaining on the Kayak Fishing ClassicS regular series year. The Series Championship will be on the line at the Southern Redfish Classic scheduled for October 8.

Smith and Meakin each caught a nice redfish, trout and snook for the slam with Smith's trout measuring just a bit longer than Meakins for the extra ten points which made the difference between first place and second. Good thing that they are friends with over $8,000.00 in sponsor prizes on the table. Bramblet managed a trout and a redfish but no snook which cost him plenty of Series Points at the end of the day.

Can Bob Bramblet be caught? The answer to that is yes, he can and it could happen. The series consists of ten open tournaments followed by an invitational national championship in November. The Series Champion is determined by contestants earning series points during each of the ten tournaments. The angler who earns the most points wins the series, a truck full of gear and a Diablo Paddlesports Kayak, not to mention the bragging rights for a year. It is much more difficult then it sounds as the series tournaments are held along the Coastal Gulf States and the contestants frequently fish in areas that they are unfamiliar with.

The top ten anglers have a shot to paddle away with the title and all of the goodies. Bramblet needs to slam the Southern which is a three redfish slam tournament. If he does not, who knows what will happen or who will win. Also on the line is the Angler of the Year Award not to place any pressure on anyone.

We will see how it all paddles out in just two weeks. Good Luck and Good Fishing to all.

High Roller Lures Gets It

Cory Mattox follows the Kayak Fishing ClassicS Tournament Series and uses High Roller Lures for two simple reasons. High Roller gets it. Price and Performance are a must for the competitive kayak angler.
Listen to what Cory has to say about them in a conversation with the ClassicS NDT, Capt. Pat.

RiverBum Flies Gets It

RiverBum Flies really gets it. Anglers are going to fish no matter what but they will look for alternatives to lower expenses without sacrificing quality and performance. Take a look at the video recorded between Captain Pat and tournament angler Rick Smith as they talk about fly fishing the Kayak Fishing ClassicS Tournament Series.

Bramblet Wins with Ocean Waves

Bramblet Wins with Ocean Waves

Being able to see through the water while sight fishing the Kayak Fishing ClassicS Tournament Series, is a ‘Must Have’. Just ask Bob Bramblet about that and he’ll tell you all about it. Bramblet won the Tarpon Fever Classic in Sarasota last weekend and he attributes much of his success to Ocean Waves Sunglasses. Bob won a pair of Ocean Waves in a previous Classic and could not believe the deference that they make.


The anglers launched their kayaks at 5:30 AM on June 4th and headed into the sunlight as it rose over Sarasota Bay. Bramblet put on his OW’s and noticed that he could see fish even in the low light conditions and the glare of the morning sun. “Very Impressive” “Fantastic” “Unbelievable” were a few of the descriptive expressions that he spoke.

Bob had a huge day in front of him with a great deal on the line. Bob has steadily moved up in the 2011 Series Standings and was looking to continue that trend. To do so he had to catch a redfish, a trout and a tarpon, the Silver King, all from a kayak and all on artificial baits. That is a lot of fishing under pressure and Bob had been looking forward to it.

Around 9:30 AM my phone rang while I was setting up for the awards, hosted by The Old Salty Dog restaurant in Sarasota on City Island. What a great place for a Classic I was thinking as I answered my phone. Bob told me that he was finished fishing. He had caught all three fish, photographed and released them and was ready to breakfast. He showed up a little later and we filmed an interview with him while we had some time.

Bob told me how fantastic he could see through the water with the Ocean Waves and that he had never seen anything like it. He attributed his early success to being able to see the fish through the early low light conditions and then the glare that a sunrise puts on the water. Bob picked his fish, cast to them and the rest was history. We didn’t know it at the time, but Bramblet did very well in this Classic.

Weigh in was at 1:00 PM and Bramblet was first as others lined up to begin the process. By 1:30 PM I knew the results and was very impressed. Bob Bramblet wishes came to light by his own hand and efforts along with having the right tools to do the job.

The Awards Ceremony began by announcing the fifth place winner and worked slowly toward the number one position. Somewhere between the third and fourth place announcements Bramblet began to wonder if he had placed. The second place winner was announced and hopes were dashing. Then the First Place Overall announcement began and Bob Bramblet’s name rang out. His excitement was contagious.

The awards were made and he never stopped smiling, and for good reason. This victory has now moved Bob into First Place in the 2011 Series Standings of the Kayak Fishing ClassicS. There has been a lead change six times this year, one each tournament, and Bob is going to work hard to hang on to this much sought after position on the leader board. Congratulations Bob from Tropic Bay & Ocean Waves.

Lusk 'Bringing It' in a Diablo

William Lusk, a young angler on the Kayak Fishing ClassicS Tournament Series trail, is ‘Bringing It’ as they say, to some very experienced tournament anglers. It’s not by luck either, as the competitor has been doing his home work around the clock. Lusk has made a total commitment to becoming a top contestant among some of the very best that the Gulf Coast area has to offer. He saw early on the huge advantages that a Diablo Paddlesports Kayak affords and purchased one.


The Diablo allows William to stand up and sight fish from his kayak and also allows him to get into places that some kayaks can’t go. He used these features last weekend in the ClassicS, Tarpon Fever Classic which was hosted by The Old Salty Dog Restaurant in Sarasota, Florida. The area is fantastic for tarpon fishing which was one of the species on the score board for the event. The anglers were issued a DNA Kit provided by the FWC Marine Research Institute, so they could gather samples of tarpon DNA which provides a fingerprint of the fish for research.

The young hungry lion launched his Diablo at 5:30 AM in pursuit of redfish, trout and of course tarpon. He scored his trout early and moved on to redfish. Light was just breaking and he was hoping to spot tailing reds or tarpon coming into the pass for breakfast. William got his red later in the morning, photographed it and released the fish as all fish are in the series. Now it was time to locate the big challenge, the Silver King.

Lusk has been learning a great deal about inshore fishing by following the ClassicS Series and competing at a high level. He also has been spending his off the water time reading and studying the various species the series fishes for. He has raised his knowledge base considerably and it is showing on the leader board in the Series Standings. He has steadily been advancing toward the top after every tournament and a win in the Tarpon Fever Classic would help him considerably.

William had never fished for tarpon before and he knew that there was a lot too it. He hunted and hunted trying to locate them. The conditions were perfect and he was in the right spot. He could be seen from the Old Salty Dog by the national tournament director of the ClassicS, Captain Pat Horrigan who commented that he was on a tarpon. Capt. Pat could see the tarpon and Lusk was in the perfect position for a connection but it just didn’t happen.

“Tarpon can be funny that way” said Capt. Pat, “you can cast to them, and they will take a look and reject your offering. I think he would have had success had he thrown some feathers to her.”

As it turned out William Lusk had a great day in his Diablo. He finished the Classic in Second Place which propelled him to Sixth Place in the Series Standings and earned him a kayak full of sponsor gear. Included in the gear were a new TFO Fly Rod and a Redington Delta Fly Reel which he greatly needed.

We will be keeping an eye on the angler and we are sure to see more good things from this young gentleman at the Green Key Classic on July 9. Congratulations William on your great win.

ProAxis makes ClassicS Debute in 10,000 Islands

Hardy & Greys, a legend in fly rods joined the Kayak Fishing ClassicS for the 2011 Sereis Year and will be awarded their new PorAxis fly rod in May or June. In the interum the company awarded their fantastic Zane series of fly rods at the first three ClassiS of 2011. On April 9th the Kayak Fishing ClassicS held the
10,000 Islands Marker 8 Classic in Goodland, Florida at the famous 10,000 Islands. the event featured fishing for snook, redfish and tarpon and $8,000.00 in sponsor gear prizes.

Hardy & Greys was able to make one of the new highly anticipated ProAxis rod available for this tournament and it caused quite a stir in the fly fishing division. The rod was up for grabs as the Largest Tarpon  Award and the poons were everywhere you looked. The contestants launched and paddled away at first hint of light with high hopes and it came true for one skillful angler.

Ryan Alise, a medical student who is just getting into fly fishing hooked onto a 100 pound tarpon that took him for a Florida Sleigh Ride that lasted for 20 minutes before breaking off at the leader. Little did he know, but Ryan had just won his dream rod. Many contestants hooked up on the Silver King but none long enough for a photo.

The ProAxis was designed in part, by tarpon fly angling great Andy Mill who is a five time winner of the Gold Cup Award. Andy's input played a big part in the design characteristics of the new fly rod series and Ryan knew all about it. To have won such a fabulous fly rod was a thrill for the student and he can't wait for the ClassicS tarpon tournament in June.

We'll keep you updated on Ryans progress and we know he will put the new ProAxis to heavy use between classes. Great job Ryan and Congratulations!

Wind & Lady Anglers Notable at ClassicS

On February 12th the Kayak Fishing ClassicS held their second tournament of a scheduled eleven tournaments in 2011. The Weedon Island Mammoth Redfish & Trout Classic began at first light with the contestants launching from the island. All were in pursuit of large redfish and trout in hopes of winning the tournament and adding to their point’s total. There were familiar faces as well of several new contestants including two lady anglers. The weather was on the chilly side and the wind did not help the comfort level. As the day unfolded, the weather warmed and so did the fishing, at least for some.


Shawn Neurath of Team SlotLimit Radio/ Diablo Paddlesports caught the largest redfish of the day measuring 25.75 inches on a D.O.A. Lure. Shawn was in the Bait Bonus for extra points and earned First Place. He was nicely rewarded from Aqua Bound Paddles with the Big Fish Award and a huge collection of top sponsor gear for his efforts. Shawn is one of two members of the team and has now moved into first place in the Series Standings after two events.

Holly Arnold captured Second Place using High Roller Lures for the Bait Bonus and securing her first tournament win. Her victory also makes her the ClassicS First Lady Angler Winner and earned her some fantastic gear from the ClassicS sponsors. Holly was caught off guard and was totally surprised. The crowd cheered and celebrated her victory when her name was announced at the awards ceremony located at Whiskey Joes in Tampa. Holly was so excited that she leapt from her seat and ran to the awards ceremony table for her official recognition and sponsor awards. Many photographs were taken and Holly rewarded all with her great smile and charm. Congratulations Holly and we are sure we will see more from her.

Kelly Phillips scored more series points by hooking Third Place with a nice trout and the D.O.A. Bait Bonus. Kelly is off to a great start after fishing both the tournaments and looks toward the top of the leader board in 5th place in series standings. Kelly’s endurance of the early morning wind and cold paid off later in the day. The north winds kept much of the tide offshore. It was a tough day of fishing but Kelly landed his winning trout and some great sponsor gear that can be seen on the ClassicS website in the photo album.

James Foy also had a nice trout and won Fourth Place. James caught his fish on a D.O.A. Lure for the Bait Bonus earning him a position in the series standings. James did very well in the 2010 Series Year and looks to top that in the 2011 edition. James earned a very nice catch of sponsor gear of which he shares with his fishing partner. James introduced his wife Jessica Brady to the fun of tournament fishing with this event and she quickly earned Series Points. Jessica had a great time and caught fish but they were just a bit too small. Jessica is looking forward to fishing the series with her husband.

Capturing Fifth Place with a very nice trout was Mark Knowles, the Defending National Champion. Mark, a great sportsman, also battled the wind all day. His efforts finally paid off late as the water warmed. Mark was rewarded with some very nice sponsor gear including the Bending Branches Paddles Big Fish Award. Mark caught the largest trout but was unable to take advantage of the Bait Bonus for the extra points. We congratulate Mark who is now in Third Place in the Series Standings and is looking forward to next month’s tournament at Fort DeSoto. To learn more about the ClassicS please visit www.KayakFishingClassicS.com