THANK YOU! 93 people registered for the Shootout for Steven Green Kayak Fishing Friendly tournament on just a few weeks notice. It's a testament to the community and a loving tribute to our friend Steven Green, AKA Landwhale. Steve was recently diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer. He's facing an aggressive treatment schedule and determined to walk through the fire.
Steve started kayak fishing 16 years back. Ever since, he's always been around whenever the community needed a hand. He's pitched in at countless tournaments, volunteered with Heroes on the Water- SoCal Chapter, and worked tirelessly in the background to keep our kayak fishing access during the Marine Life Protection Act. It was great to see the community return the love. Many salty kayak anglers we haven't seen for a while turned out. Even the original Hook1 showed up. It was amazing to see you all again.
"Thank you for from the bottom of my heart for the outpouring of love and support," Steve told me this morning. "We’re right about there. The tournament raised quite a bit of money," he added.
Some 45 fished through a day that dawned cold and quite a bit windier than we all hoped. Kayak fishing stalwart Dave Easton won the Catch Photo Release bass category with a 21.5-inch calico. Dana Pt has historically always produced halibut for a kayak tournament, but didn't this day, possibly due to the heavy swell that rolled in overnight before settling down for tournament day.
Several anglers who released rockfish and legal barracuda slapped their foreheads in frustration when they heard. No fish came to the scale, so Easton doubled up and took home big fish too. $465 to him. Between entries, auction, raffle and direct donations, we raised an estimated $5,000 for Steven Green's cancer treatments.
Special thanks to cancer survivor and long-time restauranteur Yanni Hassircoglu of Fisherman's Belly (
www.fishermansbelly.com) who served fish tacos and fresh guacamole and salsa to the crowd. Props as well to his volunteer prep crew.
"His food prep and presentation was just amazing. One of the highlights of the day. He really worked hard on it and it showed," Steve said.
Several companies and individuals volunteered prizes for auction and a raffle (we didn't ask, they offered), and the community spent generously to help out Steve. Thanks go out to all of you.
In particular, appreciation to Ric Hawthorne of Ten Crows Forge for the most impressive trophy plaques I've ever seen. They wowed the crowd. We presented a specially customized version to Steve. Also to Davey of Okuma Fishing USA for the Savage Gear baits, Water Wolf camera and Komodo baitcaster. OEX Sunset Beach and Andrew Allen; The Kayak Fishing Show with Jim Sammons and Raymarine; Morgan and Kevin of Hobie Fishing; Charles Belñavis, epic fish artist and tattooist; Mark Olson of Ocean Kayak; Tim of Dana Point Jet Ski; Kayak Fish Magazine; cancer survivor John Upchurch of Mad Frog Gear and many more.
Please take another look at those names. Those companies are staffed with authentic kayak anglers, people who came up through the grassroots. They are family. Keep it in mind when you have money to spend.
Ed Keil, Edward Warren Pelissier, Tony, Allene and Jim Sammons, Tman and the many more of the Baby Beach tournament HQ crew, we couldn't have staged this event without your selfless help. Much love and respect!
Most photos courtesy of Big Waters Edge poster Bowhunter - thanks! The other courtesy of big winner Dave Easton.
