Note: Members of Salty Fly Rodders can camp at Sebago Canoe Club, and launch there.
Third Annual Jamaica Bay Kayak Fishing Tournament
The Third Annual Jamaica Bay Kayak Fishing Tournament will be held on Sunday, May 7th, 2006. Last year's tournament was a great success(read a press release from the 2005 tournament). Not only did we raise money for a worthy charity, but 128 kayak anglers enjoyed great fishing with hundreds of fish caught and released. The three targeted species - bluefish, striped bass and weakfish - all made an appearance. More than 60 people attended the kayak fishing demo and learned about this great sport. This year will be a 2 day event with the Saturday being the pre-fishing day and also a free fishing kayak demo. The Saturday will also be a chance for meeting others as well as going fishing to prepare for the tounament. There will be a Captain's meeting Saturday evening(location to be named later). Sunday will be the actual tournament as well as a chance for people to try out all the best fishing kayaks. This tournament will be be part of the East Coast Kayak Fishing Tournament Series.
The purpose of this event is to increase awareness of the incredible natural resource that we have in Jamaica Bay and to promote environmentally friendly activities like kayak fishing. The tournament will be a catch-and-release event to keep with the conservation theme.
All proceeds from this event will benefit Friends of Gateway and Casting For Recovery. Friends of Gateway is focused on the protection and the betterment of the fragile environment of Jamaica Bay and works to increase waterfront access in and around the NYC area. Casting for Recovery is a national non-profit support and educational program for women who have or have had breast cancer. This group provides an opportunity for women, whose lives have been profoundly affected by the disease, to gather in beautiful, natural settings and learn fly-fishing, "a sport for life." Just as importantly, this tournament offers an opportunity to meet new friends and have fun. Your entry fee and any donations for this event are totally tax deductible.
- DATES: Saturday, May 6th and 7th, 2006 (unless weather conditions make the event unsafe for participants). This is a 2-day event with Saturday the 6th being the pre-fishing day(optional) and Sunday is the actual tournament.
- TIME: Registration starts at 6:00 AM. You must be at back to Floyd Bennet Field by 3:30 PM to register a fish (picture of fish).
- LOCATION: FLOYD BENNET FIELD, Brooklyn, NY
- COST: $50 - This fee also includes food and drink at the Saturday night captains meeting. If your entry fee is received by April 20th you will get an awesome tournament long sleeve shirt. All enties will also receive promotional giveaways.
- CAPTAINS MEETING: 5:00 to 7:00pm on May 6th at the Ryan Visitor Center at Floyd Bennett Field. Recommended that everybody attend to go over the rules and discuss the fishing. We are hoping to have a few experts on fishing Jamaica Bay speak to the entries. There will food and drinks served.
- DEMO: From 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, on both days of the event there will be a kayak fishing demonstration - the most popular kayak fishing brands will be represented.
The demo will be free to anybody who wants to try out the most popular fishing kayaks.- DIVISIONS: There will only be two divisions - fly fishing and open.
- PRIZES: First and second prizes will be new kayaks (models to be determined later).
There will be more prizes to be announced later. There will also be an end of event raffle with some great prizes (kayaks, kayak accessories, rods and reels). The raffle is open to anybody who wants to support the event with a $50 donation.- DIRECTIONS: Take the Belt Parkway to Exit 11S, which is Flatbush Avenue South. Take Flatbush Avenue for 1.3 miles. The entrance to the field is on the left side at a traffic light. This light is just before the toll plaza for the Marine Parkway Bridge. Once inside the park, follow signs for car-top boat launch. The area is also known as the Sea Plane Launch Ramp.
- LODGING: Lodging.- There are two hotels located less than 5 minutes away from Floyd Bennett Field and the Launch - The Comfort Inn Brooklyn & The Golden Gate Inn. Both are located in Sheepshead Bay with tackle shops, restaurants, boat piers and fishing fleet just down the street. Rates are available starting at $114.00 for weekend nights. (Less for weekday.)
For Hotel reservations contact Tauras at Litas Travel Service.
(718) 441-6799 or Info@LitasTravel.com
***FREE LURE PACKET with every hotel reservation booked through Litas Travel***
We would like to thank all the sponsors for this year's event. We have over 20 different companies recognizing the sport of kayak fishing and making it possible to rise money these great charities. Here is a list of prizes..
Open Division
First Prize: Malibu X-Factor Kayak
Second Prize: Accent Carbon Paddle
Third Prize: Lotus Mildwater PFD
Fly Division
First Prize: Heritage Marquesa Kayak
Second Prize: Thomas & Thomas Fly Rod
Slam Division
First Prize: Ocean Kayak Prowler 13'
Second Prize: Bending Branches Stealth Paddle
Top Raffle Prizes: Ocean Kayak Prowler 13', Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120
Also will raffle off over 25 other great kayak and fishing products - every person entered into the tournament has a chance to win these prizes. Extra chances for these prizes can be purchased the day of the event, with all proceeds going to Casting for Recovery.