Kayak fishing tournament starts midnight Sunday

In just a few years of internet postings by paddle-angler pioneers like Jim Sammons and Dennis Spike hitting the beaches with remarkable catches on an inexpensive plastic boat, the popularity of kayak fishing exploded. The first tournament targeting yellowtail, white seabass, and halibut off the San Diego coast was held off La Jolla and sponsored by Allen’s Kayaks in the late summer of 2000. Just sixteen entrants fished that tournament. By 2006, the tournament drew one hundred eighty entrants. That same year, one hundred ninety-two anglers competed in a kayak fishing tournament out of Dana Point.

This year’s La Jolla tournament, coming up on Sunday, September 10, has just 16 entrants as I am writing. Though, counting late entries that number should at least double as there were over 70 anglers entered in last year’s event.

The Jason Lebowitz La Jolla Kayak Fishing Tournament will begin any time after midnight from La Jolla Shores with the weigh-in by 1:00 pm at Kellogg Park in the grass near the playground.