Everyone likes money, right? So, it is inevitable that anglers will wager big bucks for the biggest fish. Early kayak tournaments offered good times, good friends and great prizes, but no money.
Then came Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments (EKFT). Premiering in 2011, the tournament kicked off with a $3,000 first place payout, the largest in kayak fishing tournament history. “We modeled EKFT after big money offshore tournaments,” explains tournament director, Joe Hector. Sixty anglers entered that first event, evidence that Hector’s shiny bait catches fishermen.
Since then, EKFT has grown to five events in two countries attracting as many as 170 anglers and hundreds of spectators who come to watch the action. “Cash prizes are a big reason for our success,” he says. Hector explains that dollar signs not only bring in more anglers, but better anglers. “Since offshore kayak fishing was so new,” he goes on, “we wanted real anglers who could catch big fish.”
He got them. Joel Makielski won the first tournament with a 28-pound king mackerel and a big check. But it was more than the money and the trophy fish that doubled the number of participants. “We had a big stage on the beach, everyone came to the tournament party and had a great time,” he tells us, “we treat people like a million bucks and they tell their friends.”
Not only does money attract anglers, it brings in sponsors. “We get sponsors to cover the prize money,” he explains, “so we can guarantee the payout.” That, in turn, attracts more sponsors who want to get onboard. “They see what our sponsors are getting out of their support and they want in.” That often turns Hector into a song-and-dance man visiting sponsors and marketing the tournament. “We haven’t lost a sponsor, yet,” he crows.
As the sport grows, and tournament series gets longer and more competitive, anglers need dollars to pay for success. “I fish for a living,” points out pro guide and tournament champion Brian Nellie, “I can’t pay the bills with prizes.” Nellie has won over $26,000 in kayak fishing tournaments, his biggest payout was a $10,000 win at the Bahamas Blowout. “With hotels, gas and entry fees, I couldn’t afford to fish tournaments without the chance of a cash prize.”
Cash prizes are catching on. From big bass series to smaller, club tournaments anglers can win a couple hundred bucks to thousands. Kayak Fishing ClassicS is one of the oldest kayak fishing series, but this year they’re adding a Calcutta with guaranteed payout. Tournament director Pat Horrigan explains that backing from Denali rods is just enough bait to hook anglers. “The sponsor guarantees $250,” he explains, “and anglers can buy in.” Calcutta entry fees are added to the pot with 100-percent payout. “Winners are pleasantly surprised at the money,” he beams.
However, money doesn’t always talk. Captain Horrigan’s first attempt at a cash payout fizzled. “We couldn’t get enough anglers to pre-register to cover the cash payout,” he laments. Horrigan says people balked at the $100 entry fee. “The sport really isn’t there, yet,” he says, “the industry doesn’t work with margins large enough to support big-dollar tournament sponsorships,” he goes on, “and most anglers are in it for the fun.”
Tournament pro Brian Nellie disagrees. “I wish there were more cash tournaments,” he says, “the sport is ready.” –RIC BURNLEY
This article was first published in the Early Summer 2016 issue of Kayak Angler Magazine. Subscribe to Kayak Angler Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
