Winning Ways: Brian Nelli

Kayak Angler Staff

October 15, 2015

Winning Ways: Brian Nelli — Three-time EKFT champion Brian Nelli sat on this $6,500 dolphin to subdue it before posing for photos.

Three-time EKFT champion Brian Nelli sat on this $6,500 dolphin to subdue it before posing for photos. Photo: Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments — Three-time EKFT champion Brian Nelli sat on this $6,500 dolphin to subdue it before posing for photos.

You know their names from the leaderboard. The guys who always seem to pull it off, no matter where they fish or what they target. How do they do it? From tackle choice to sitting on a fish, these pros give advice on how to get your name on the trophy.

Angler: Brian Nelli

Hometown: Palm Beach, Florida

Leaderboard: Seven first-place finishes in major tournaments since 2009. Three-time Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament winner.

Sponsor Shoutout: Hobie Fishing Team, DOA, Engel Coolers, Laguna Costa Outfitters

Target: Inshore and offshore saltwater

WINNING DRIVE

I’m naturally competitive in everything I do. I’ll race you to the car or beat you at poker. I’ll bet I can put my socks on faster than you. Get the idea?

KEY TO SUCCESS

I fish the way I fish best. Whenever I try to get fancy, it backfires. Don’t overthink things, stay organized and keep it simple. That way you can focus on fishing, which is what it takes to win.

PREFISH

I don’t usually prefish before an offshore tournament. Fishing the day before the tournament can put me in the wrong place on tournament day. Fish move. Instead, fish the best hotspots and figure out a game plan based on water and weather conditions on tournament day.

TOP GEAR

I use an Engel fish bag to hold my catch. Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament is a kill tournament, so every ounce the fish loses in the hot sun could cost big money at the weigh-in. The bag fits in my hatch until I need it. Freeze the bag before hitting the water and it will keep a catch cold all day.

FISH STICKS

I use 40-pound Yozuri Fluorocarbon for jigging and trolling. First, I only have to carry one spool of leader. Second, fluorocarbon is virtually invisible underwater. It’s also more abrasion resistant and holds a knot better than monofilament. Tournament victories require attention to detail and making sacrifices that will pay off when the win is on the line.

ROOKIE ADVICE

It never hurts to try. Do a little research, fish the tournament, make some friends and see if it is for you.

VICTORY LAP

In the 2015 Battle in the Bahamas, I hooked a big mahi, but it got tangled under my kayak. I freed the line and then I missed the first gaff shot. After that cluster, I got the fish into the boat and sat on it. I had the photo-boat next to me and they asked for a photo, but I wouldn’t budge until the fish stopped shaking.

That fish was worth $6,500 and a trip to China for the Hobie Worlds. Stay focused on the objective— bringing in the winning fish.

This article was first published in the Summer/Fall 2015 issue of Kayak Angler. Subscribe to Kayak Angler Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.