Columbia, Gamakatsu, Hobie Polarized and Ram Mounting Systems have joined on as sponsors for the second annual Hobie Fishing World Championship, which will take place in Austin, Texas Nov. 4-9. Hobie kicked off the event last year in Macquarie, Australia with co-sponsors Daiwa and Lowrance Electronics.
Next month, all seven companies will contribute to make the Texas event possible and have generously contributed to the prize pot that will go along with the coveted World title.
2011 World Champion, Scotty Baker, returns to lead the Australian team and pursue his quest to stay on top. The competition will be stiff as the global field consists of 43 top anglers from 13 different countries. Participants have either qualified through contest or been invited based on regional performance and angling credentials. “It’s rare to assemble such a diverse group of anglers with unique skills and experience,” commented Keeton Eoff from Hobie Cat. “Kayak fishing is truly a global sport and Hobie Cat and all our partners are excited about the impact this event has and will continue to have on the industry and the direction the sport is moving.”
All competitors will fish for freshwater bass from identically rigged Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 kayaks provided by Hobie Cat Company and outfitted with Lowrance Electronics and Ram Mounting Systems. The competition will be held on two of the best-known fisheries in Texas: Lake Bastrop and Fayette County Reservoir. Each of them holds the caliber of fish necessary for an international competition. Consistent with the conservation practices of the fisheries, the Hobie Fishing Worlds will be a Catch, Photograph and Release tournament or CPR for short. Each angler will use this method to score their best three fish each day to reach their final three day total.
Since 1950, Hobie has been in the business of shaping a unique lifestyle based around fun, water, and quality products. From their headquarters in Oceanside, California, Hobie Cat Company manufactures, distributes, and markets an impressive collection of watercraft worldwide. These include an ever-expanding line of recreation and racing sailboats, pedal-driven and paddle sit-on-top recreation and fishing kayaks, inflatable kayaks and fishing boats plus a complementary array of parts and accessories.
