We had 98 participants (49 teams) in this years tournament! The fishing was not “turned on” but people did bring in fish. Nothing HUGE was brought in, but there was enough for many teams to get on the score board and we had enough fish for the post tournament fish fry.

This year, to increase your chances to getting three species (what’s needed in order to get on the score board), we added “Other Flatfish” to the type list species that could be turned in to score. This was in addition to Black Rockfish, Other Rockfish, Cabezon, Vermillion, Canary, Ling, Green Ling, Halibut, Salmon, and Thresher Shark.

This year we launched at SUNRISE vs 1 Hour Before Sunrise (in previous tournaments). We did that so kayakers can be visible to other motor boats. Early birds left 20 minutes early (20 minutes before sunrise). This worked out really well and we feel it’s safe to expect this again at next year’s tournament.

Our Potluck was outside this year, at the Emerald Forest. That was a little unexpected since they double booked the event hall, however it worked out really well, and I think we may request the outdoor space next year. Consensus is we are outgrowing the current event hall. Thank you again Emerald Forest for allowing us to host our after part at your facility. You all were fantastic!

PacOut Green Team was the beneficiary of the post tournament raffle this year, and thanks to all the generous kayakers, they raised just over $1200 in donations. This will go towards their cleanup fund and educational materials. To learn more about what PacOut Green Team does for our communities and how you can get involved, click here.

Special thanks to Kayak Greg for helping put together a wonderful tournament year after year.

Damen Tesch for coming up with a badass graphic AGAIN and helping out with the shirts/hoodys/raffle. Get a Tattoo by Damen Tesch at Second Sight Tattoo in Eureka.

Thank you Charlie Collum, aka bad ass retired USMC Veteran and local wood turner, for helping us on tournament day getting his hands slimy measuring all the fish that were turned in. Charlie also donated a wooden bowl, that he turned himself, for the raffle. Check out Charlie’s work here.

Thank you Jef “One F” Brewer for updating and hyping everyone on NCKA and LCKA about this tournament.

Thank you to Edub Outdoors, Kenny Baker, and Bransen Baits for donating plastics, jig heads, descenders, etc. to our general raffle!

A big thank you to Native Watercraft, who donated one of the kayaks and raffle items. Mike Mowery, the Native Rep. was formerly with Ocean Kayak. Mike has been donating a Kayak for our event since the first year. Thank you Mike and we are stoked you are working with Native Kayaks. They make some of the best prop driven kayaks in the industry.

Another big thank you to Lost Coast Brewery for donating a keg of Great White, Revenant IPA and Root Beer to our event. Support local beer that supports local events!

1st – Spinning Reels – 916.5 pts.

2nd – Shark Bait – 896.5 pts.

3rd – Humboldt Hookers – 868 pts.

4th – Bransen Baits – 846.5 pts

5th – Team Reese – 838 pts.

6th – Codzilla – 785 pts.

7th – Big Hammer – 780 pts.

7th – King Fishers – 780 pts.

8th – Hobie Dicks – 774.5 pts

9th – Tug Life – 755.5 pts.

10th – Smokin’ Drift – 742.5 pts.

11th – Cod Fathers – 733 pts.

12th – Edub Outdoors – 701 pts.

13th – Team Strickler Porter – 700 pts.

14th – Hobie Doobies – 693 pts.

15th – Mendo Mondaze – 646.5

16th – Team Breslin – 630 pts.

17th – Team Hatler Martin – 591.5 pts.

18th – Franceschi Brothers – 449 pts.

Biggest Ling – Team Branson Baits

Biggest Green Ling – Team Shark Bait

Biggest Black Rockfish – Team Screaming Reels

Biggest Other Rockfish – Team Reese

Biggest Canary – Team Tug Life

Biggest Vermillion – Team Bresolin

Biggest Cabazon – Team Shark Bait

Biggest Other Flat Fish – Team Humboldt Hookers

Robert Bray – 17″ Black

Brandi Easter – 17″ Black

Official TRW8 Photo Album