YakOff Awards II, Semifinals: Justin Floyd vs Chad Gierlich

Semifinals, December 9–14

Justin Floyd vs Chad Gierlich

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Justin Floyd

Bonafide XTR130

I’ve been kayak fishing since 2011. After graduating in 2015, I started at Confluence Outdoors, the largest kayak company in the world, working my way up to Mold Manager. From there, I helped start Bonafide Kayaks in Greenville, SC, and was part of the 2019 merger with Big Adventures. For nearly a decade, I’ve been building, rigging, and selling kayaks.

Favorite Technique: My favorite technique has to be power fishing in shallow water. I love being able to cover water and stay active.

Body of Water: If I had to pick a body of water, it’d be the marshes down in Louisiana.

Most Confident Lure: My go to bait is a Prawn Star. I usually keep two setups ready one under a popping cork and another rigged without it. That way I can adjust depending on how the fish are acting. It’s such a confidence bait for me because I know I can get bites whether I’m working open water or targeting structure.

Bow 1

Rigging

Power-Pole Micro Anchor
Auxbeam Control Panel
Garmin Ultra 2 with Transducer
Garmin Ultra 2 with Livescope
Big Adventures Captains Bridge 32"
Big Adventures Captains Bridge 26"
Auxbeam Power Hub
Garmin GLS10
LED Rock Lights
Track Mounted Light Bar from NOCQUA
Dakota Lithium 12V 60Ah
Dakota Lithium 12V 100Ah
Dakota Lithium 12V 100Ah
YakAttack AR Tubes x 5
Garmin Force Current Trolling Motor
USB/USBC Charging Ports x 3
Sniper Marine Livescope Poll

My Sponsors

Chad Gierlich

NuCanoe U10

I'm a lifelong angler with a passion for catching all kinds of fish—and lots of them! My drive has always been to design the most effective baits possible and to share that knowledge with other anglers. I'm the designer & creater of Hookup Baits, a brand built from experience, innovation, and a deep love for fishing. Over the years, I've been fortunate to win multiple Saltwater Bass championships and earn several angler of the Year titles. I'm also proud to be a two-time member of the USA Saltwater Kayak Fishing Team. I live in beautiful San Diego, CA with my love Jojo, co-owner of Hookup Baits. It's here in San Diego that all Hookup Baits are 100% American made by our great team of employees.

Favorite Technique: Throwing a Hookup Bait isn't just my favorite technique—it's my only technique! I use Hookup Baits for everything: crappie, panfish, bass, salmon, trout and all saltwater species. You name it, Hookup Baits catch it! I fish them with total confidence, and that confidence makes all the difference. I haven't tied on another lure in ten years, and I don't plan to. No matter where I'm fishing or what I'm after, it's Hookup Baits all the way!