Second place winner, Steve Neece.
plastic boats.
As the prayer ended and the horn blew, all
you could see were little white lights moving in
stealth throughout the marsh and down the
main channels. For the first time ever it seemed
that the weather gods had shined down among
the participants, the weather was perfect, cool,
light winds, good tidal range, and perfect water
conditions. I knew the results were going to be
ground breaking.
As I pedaled my Hobie back toward the launch, I
could already see 50 plus people standing in
line with weigh bags and ice chest. This was a
scene I haven’t seen in at least 4 years in the
as Bill Crawford began to speak. Bill, also
tournament. Usually the winds are horrible, the
known as Revredfish, said a prayer to guide us
water is low, and weight numbers for this event
all in our endeavors, to bless the fleet, and most
aren’t always good, and rarely ever great, but
all to recognize the passing of Capt. Kristen
today was a new day, and based on the line,
Wray. Kristen was a pioneer to the sport of kayak there were a lot of fish that were going to be hitfishing in and around the Grand Isle area. Kristing the scales.
ten and her husband Danny operated CalmwaI talked with many anglers, some had beauter Charters and were known to many as the
tiful reds and couldn’t find trout, some had limfounders and operators of the famed Ride the
its of beautiful trout and
Bull kayak fishing tournacouldn’t find reds, and
ment. Kristen was instruthen there was a handful
Winners of the MC 9 took
mental in developing,
of those that found the
home over $2900 and weighed
growing, and educating
gold under the rainbow
in over 1200 lbs of fish.
many about the sport of
and were standing in line
kayak fishing in and around
1st place: Steve Lessard
holding 5 fat red fish and
Grand Isle. While Kristen
2nd place: Steve Neece
25 nice trout. Now keep
lost the battle with cancer
3rd place: Clayton Shilling
in mind that’s 30 keeper
her memory will continue to
4th place: Kevin May
fish and likely another 20
live on. At last year’s Ride
5th place: Josh Reppel
to 30 throw back fish that
the Bull tournament a kayak
didn’t make the cut, all
Big Fish: Josh Reppel
only launch was dedicated
caught on only 6 lures,
Leopard Red: Wayne Lobb
in the name of Kristen and
talk about some plastics
Danny Wray, so the next
that can hold up to a
time you venture down to
challenge.
Ludwig lane on Grand Isle to launch your yak in
After hours of fish being weighed the results
search of that catch of a lifetime, think about
were finally in and only ounces separated the
Kristen and all she’s done to aid in the welcomfirst and second place finish, and with a total 125
ing of the yak community, because I know she
anglers and a total weight of over 1200 lbs. of
will be looking down upon all of us in our little
fish, it’s easy to say that this is the most success-
Kayak Corner
Minimalist or Maximus??
A blessing in disguise
by Capt. Casey Brunning
Marsh & Bayou Outfitters
(504) 309-3446
www.marshandbayou.com
This year’s Minimalist Challenge, put on by
Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club, turned out to
be one for the record books. With a record
amount of anglers, a record amount of weight at
the scales, and a record sell out time, anglers
from all over Louisiana showed up at the public
launch in Leeville to take part in what some call,
the best little tournament of the year.
The Minimalist Challenge is exactly what its
name portrays; anglers show up with nothing
but their rods, reels, and kayaks and then are
given the lures they are allowed to use. This
year anglers received a topwater, by MirrOlure,
and 5 soft plastics and jig heads by Matrix Shad,
which according to every angler I spoke with, is
the best combination of lures the tournament
has ever had.
As 125 anglers sat floating in the holding
area awaiting the blast off horn, the breeze
slowed, hats came off, and the voices silenced
24
February 2016 www.marshandbayou.com