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Ryan, I'm curious what you think of the KACA finalists. I'm only posting a selection.
Angler of the Year:
Dee Kaminski
Chad Hoover
Tino Mendietta
Ashley Rae
Drew Gregory
Hoover has a TV show, runs a retailer, and owns KBF.com. He's run tournaments.
Gregory is a Jackson fishing pro who makes a lot of media, particularly GoPro video. He's also run tournaments.
Rae is a photogenic TV personality associated with Hobie. I'm not sure how deep her roots go in kayak fishing.
Mendietta - who is he? He fishes the Texas Gulf offshore from a Jackson.
Kaminski is a Florida kayak fishing guide. I've met her. She can really fish the flats.
None of them would have been my choice for top kayak angler of for 2013. I kind of hope Rae wins. Maybe it'll cause Yakangler to improve the program. I give her props for getting more ladies involved in fishing, but I don't see her as a core kayak angler. Check out her Facebook page. She's on a powerboat most of the time. If she wins, why not Eric Young of the Off the Hook TV show? He's fished off a kayak once or twice.
Kayak of the Year:
Jackson Kayak Cuda 14
Native Watercraft Slayer Propel
Hobie Pro Angler 14
Wilderness Systems Ride 115X
Old Town Predator
Three of them are 2013 introductions - that makes sense. However, the Slayer Propel is just now getting into shops. None of these are exactly big water ocean boats. Hobie fans, it's okay - yes, the PA14 changed the face of La Jolla. Last year and the year prior.
Forum of the Year:
Texas Kayak Fisherman - TX
Kayak Bass Fishing - TN
Austin Kayak Fishing - TX
Kayak Anglers of Western PA - PA
Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club - LA
Nothing west of Texas. Move along.
Retailer? Kayakfishingsupplies.com didn't make it. Wonder why? Note - I mean that question somewhat sarcastically. There are some good retailers on the list, but few with the history or rigging chops of KFS.
So long as the format remains as is, a popularity contest, it will not be relevant to the west coast or Hawaii.
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