By Paul Lebowitz

May 18, 2007

Plastic Navy / Western Outdoor News Kayak Fishing Tournament Series Travels to Orange County’s Saltwater Bass Playground in June

NEWPORT DUNES WATERFRONT RESORT - Newport ho! After a smashing debut on the sparkling waters of Mission Bay, the Plastic Navy Tournament Trail Presented by Western Outdoor News is headed north to Newport Bay.

The second contest in the 6-event kayak fishing series launches at the Newport Dunes Resort on June 2. Like every series event, it is a fun and competitive catch and release tournament targeting spotted, sand, and calico bass with artificial lures.

The kayak fisher who compiles the heaviest 5-fish tournament stringer will paddle away a minimum of $1,001 richer. The rest of the top five will pad their wallets with cash rewards. The 6th through 10th place finishers will take home some first class kayak fishing gear.

The optional big fish jackpot pays off in more than cash. Immortalize that jumbo bass with a Global Fish Mounts replica mount - $400 value.

If it turns out to be the biggest of the year-long series, it’ll be worth a cool $1,500 from tackle sponsor Okuma.

The prizes are lucrative, especially the big check coming to the series points winner. Every competitor’s 5-fish tally is worth a like number of points in the race for Lowrance Electronics Angler of the Year and $2,500. 

More money is at stake than in past kayak fishing tournaments, but the good-natured spirit of fun is alive and well. Novices are welcome; big tournaments such as this one are marvelous places to get ideas for kayak rigging and learn a thing or two about fishing. In a Plastic Navy tradition, the winner must give up a trick or two.

Every competitor will enjoy a hot lunch and a raffle stocked full of great merchandise.

At Ski Beach, Tom Buckalew worked his SpinBombs and Hornets for a nice 5-fish tournament limit over 9 lbs. Today it would only be good enough for sixth.

The grand prize is the newest fishing kayak to hit the West Coast, the Search 15 from Perception. Quantum will be on hand with saltwater baitcasters such as the Energy and Cabo PTs – reels made to withstand the rigors of kayak fishing. They’ll also give away some of their Kayak Series rods – so new they’re only now showing up in stores.

Other raffle goodies up for grabs throughout the tournament series include slick Costa del Mar sunglasses, Islander Sportfishing mothership trips, color fishfinders from Lowrance Electronics, kayak-friendly gaffs and nets from Promar, comfy seats from Seairsports and Surf to Summit, Sport Chalet gift cards, handy tackle storage from WFO Tackle Systems, floating pliers and waterproof scales from Xtools, gear certificates from Hook1 Kayak Fishing Gear, and quality bass baits and tackle from Berkley, FishTrap, MC Swimbaits, Storm, Rapala, Trix Jetty Worm and others.

Tournament headquarters is the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, site of event host Southwind Kayak Center’s Paddlesports Expo 2007.

The Expo is a huge annual celebration. Representatives from many major kayak and paddle manufacturers will be on hand to answer questions and show off new gear. Anglers are welcome to check out the latest in clothing and accessories and test-paddle fishing kayaks from Current Designs, Hobie, Perception, and Wilderness Systems until 4 pm.  

Pre-registration for the Newport tournament is only $40 plus an optional $10 jackpot. Early registration is encouraged; the event may sell out. If available, walk-up entry will be $50. Parking at Newport Dunes is $10 per vehicle.

Newport Bay is a fantastic kayak bass fishery. Structure is king here. Although eel grass beds are not unknown, they are in short supply. Most anglers find their fish on dock pilings, mooring cans, and other less obvious bumps and drop-offs.

Okuma Fishing Team members Robert Yakemonis and Brian Sanner have dominated kayak competitions at Newport. They expect the action to key on spotted bay bass. Numbers of the feisty fish can be found in the back bay, a right turn out of the launch cove, but Yakemonis said larger fish are few and far between. For bigger bass, turn left out of the launch and pass under the PCH bridge and out to marina after marina.

“To me the key is to keep moving and keep working obvious areas. I can’t tell you go fish dock number 185 but I can tell you if you fish enough docks you’ll find a pattern that is working,” Yakemonis said.

“There is no science to Newport. Get out there and fish it, do your homework. Use your fish finder and memorize the bottom details, drop-offs, high spots, contours of the channel, and how the tidal movements affect water conditions,” Sanner added.

Newport Bay staples include crankbaits such as the Berkley Frenzy or Rapala Shad-Rap, either cast and retrieved and trolled next to structures. A close second are 3-in FishTrap swimbaits or Wildeye Live and other plastics from Storm. Yakemonis recommends lime green and brown bait. Use darker colors in the morning and then go brighter as the day goes on.

Berkley Gulp! catches Newport’s bass too, particularly the 3-in shrimp in New Penny or Nuclear Chicken when paired with a 1/8 or 1/4 oz darter head. Finally, 3/4-oz spinnerbaits account for a share of bigger bass. Try double-willow designs.

TARGET: NEWPORT – The Plastic Navy Tournament Trail Presented by Western Outdoor News is rolling into Newport Bay on June 2. Kayakers will vie for the heaviest 5-bass tournament stringer. Action is expected to center on spotted bay bass like this one.

STRUCTURE CITY – Newport Bay is a structure-oriented fishery. Pitch your offerings to the pier pilings and prepare for close quarters battle. Just don’t mar the gel coat on that pricey cruiser tied up to the dock.

WEIGHING IN – Plastic Navy weigh boats will patrol the main fishing areas of Newport Bay. Competitors need to keep their fish healthy until they can get them to a boat. Then it’s in the bag for a measurement, and then back to the bay for the bass.

UNDERSTUDY OUTSCORES HEADLINER – Nick Meyer finished second with 11.2 lbs, but also scored the jackpot fish. His combined winnings of $2,525 and a $400 gift certificate from Global Fish Mounts outstripped those of his uncle, tournament champ Eddie Howerton.

NEWPORT BAY STAPLES – Kayak bassers headed to Newport Bay all have their personal favorites. If you surveyed their tackle boxes, most would have some variation on this theme of crankbaits, swimbaits, and Gulp!. From top to bottom: Berkley Frenzy, FishTrap swimbait, Berkley Gulp! 3-in Shrimp.