Jay Wallen had garnered elite angler credentials in the kayak bass fishing arena with a stellar tournament record that included two third-place finishes in the Hobie Bass Open on Kentucky Lake. But Wallen reached the summit at this year’s Catch-Photo-Release event, returning to the sprawling Kentucky impoundment to post a two-day, six-fish total of 115.5 inches.
“I’ll be riding this high for a long time!” said Wallen who cashed a $4,000 winner’s check and earned an all-paid ride to the Hobie Fishing Worlds 7 championship event to compete with kayak anglers from around the globe. “But I’m happier yet that I can go to the Hobie Worlds 7.”
Wallen caught his fish on Kentucky Lake’s offshore ledges on the Tennessee River channel as well as at the mouths of creeks and bays. He credited boat control, courtesy of his Hobie kayak and its Mirage Drive, and the tackle organization and safety measures he takes to maintain fishing efficiency as he competes.
“One of the biggest organizational factors for me has been preventing large hooks or treble-hook baits from tangling lines and rods and catching clothing and tackle bags,” says Wallen. “The Bait Sack from Cal Coast Fishing has been a life saver to me!”
Also among the Top Five finishers on Kentucky Lake was Ron Champion who has earned a Top 10 finish in 10 of the 14 kayak tournaments he has fished this year.
Both Wallen and Champion are members of the Cal Coast Fishing pro staff and enthusiastic fans of the innovative tackle solutions of Cal Coast founder Dave Romanus. The Cal Coast line includes The Bait Sack, Cali Clip, and Rod Mule as well as the components of his breakthrough culling system, the Clip-N-Cull and Money Beam.
Tournament fishermen at every level place a premium on tackle organization and efficiency. Line and hook tangles, hang-ups and mishaps have been the bane of anglers since the advent of sport fishing. They can particularly prove costly during the nail-biting pressures of competitive events.
The Bait Sack from Cal Coast Fishing protects you and your tackle from damage and untimely tangles.“In my kayak, space is limited,” explains Wallen. “You have to keep lures and hooks clean and tackle well managed to fish well. When you’re not using The Bait Sack, lines tangle. If my worm rod has a treble hook snagged on it, that is time wasted! You can’t have baits flying around and snagging gear. And it’s not just an organizational thing but a safety matter, too.”
“The Bait Sack has been a huge bonus to my fishing,” says Champion who, like Wallen, spent the bulk of his Hobie Open time on Kentucky Lake’s deep “ledges,” the channel breaklines and related deep structure that often hold massive schools of bass on TVA reservoirs in the summer months. “I don’t carry any crankbait – or any treble-hook bait for that matter – without a Bait Sack to protect against tangles and accidents in my Hobie. I really value the Cali Clip dropshot weight and hook holder at tournament time as well. In fact, I got several fish on a dropshot rig at the Hobie event.”
The Rod Mule from Cal Coast Fishing facilitates rod transport from car to boat, car to kayak – or anywhere your rods may travel.
“The Rod Mule is very beneficial when you are carrying a number of rods to and from the kayak,” adds Champion, referring to the adjustable rod sling that makes rod transport easy and problem-free. “Then there’s The Bait Sack, keeping treble hooks from catching line and rod sleeves and the upholstery in your truck. I love them, and everyone I show them to loves ‘em as well.”
Tame your tackle with the Cali Clip, the most secure dropshot weight and hook keeper ever designed.
Check out the full line of game-changing tackle tools from Cal Coast Fishing at TackleWarehouse
For additional information on Cal Coast Fishing products, visit the Cal Coast Fishing website www.calcoastfishing.com or contact owner Dave Romanus, phone 805/455-3568; Email: calcoastfishing @ gmail.com
