New England Kayak Fishing

2008 Mass Bay Striper Shootout

Registration is now open for the Fourth Annual Mass Bay Striper Shootout . The event will return to Winter Island in Salem, Ma. and be held from August 22-24th, 2008. The format will remain unchanged as a catch, photo, and release tournament.The early-bird registration fee of $50.00 is due before July 15th. After that, the registration fee will be $60. As of June 16th, 2008 -70 entries are already in with payment received. The first 100 entries, will receive aspecial captains bag a NEKF Striper Shootout IV Tournament T-Shirt and most anglers will receive a Captains Bag along with the free BBQ and raffle. The earlier you register, the more goodies (donated by our sponsors) you will find inside of your bag. Registration will close at some point depending on how quickly registrations come in - space will be limited - last year we closed it at 90 entries.

The event will conclude at Winter Island with our annual NEKF BBQ, huge raffle and awards presentation. The prize tally is already valued at well over $13,000and is increasing on a weekly basis. Hobie will be returning as a sponsor and has once again donated a Hobie Revolution Kayak to be offered as a raffle prize. We were also lucky enough to have received a sponsorship from Ocean Kayak who very generously donated an Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident Kayak.

We would like to thank the following sponsors please support them when you can-

Advanced Elements http://advancedelements.com/
Als Bait & Tackle
Aquaskinz www.aquaskinz.com
Bending Branches www.bendingbranches.com/compkayak/angler_slice_glass.html
Best Bait & Tackle
Captain Bruce/Otter Tubes www.captainbrucesportfishing.com/otter_tube.htm
Collinsville Canoe and Kayak Store www.cckstore.com
Extra Sport www.extrasport.com
First Light Anglers www.firstlightanglers.com
The Fisherman Magazine
FishPond http://www.fishpondusa.com/
GoPro Cameras www.goprocamera.com
Great Bay Rods www.greatbayrods.com
Guy Harvey Publishing http://www.guyharveyinc.com/
Harken Hoister www.hoister.com
Hobie Cat www.hobiefishing.com
Hogy Lures www.hogylures.net
Hook 1 www.kayakfishinggear.com/
Immersion Research www.immersionresearch.com
Jim Teeny Inc. www.jimteeny.com
Kayak Angler Magazine www.kayakanglermagazine.com
Kayak Fishing Stuff www.kayakfishingstuff.com
Kittery Trading Post www.ktp.com
Lamiglas www.lamiglas.com
Malone Auto Racks http://www.maloneautoracks.com/
Maui Jim www.mauijim.com
Merrick Tackle www.merricktackle.com
MTI Adventurewear www.mtiadventurewear.com
Navionics www.navionics.com
New England Small Craft www.nesmallcraft.com
Ocean Kayak www.oceankayak.com
Ocean Potion www.opotion.com
Okuma www.okuma.com
On The Water Magazine www.onthewater.com
Orion Safety www.orionsignals.com/Marine/index.html
OTB Boots www.otbboots.com
Otter Box www.otterbox.com
Power Pro www.powerpro.com
Pt. Jude Lures www.pointjudelures.com
Rite in the Rain http://www.riteintherain.com/
Ram Mounting Systems www.ram-mount.com/fishing_rod_holders/rod_holders.htm
REI www.rei.com
RonZ www.ronzmfg.com
Scotty www.scotty.com
Spot Inc. www.findmespot.com
Skwoosh www.skwoosh.com
Stanley www.fishstanley.com
Surfland
Talic www.talic.com
Temple Fork www.templeforkflyrods.com
Teton Fly Reels www.tetonflyreels.com
Walsh Lures www.walshlures.com
WaveSpin Reels www.wavespinreel.com

Striped Bass, Anatomy, and Fishing.

By Dr. NEKF

Knowing about the fish you are going after can help improve your odds as a fisherman. For instance, by studying the striped bass’ anatomy you can glean clues about characteristics and behaviors. Comparative anatomy is a science that compares the differences and similarities of organ systems between species. For example, a fish has a set of nostrils like a human does, yet, unlike a human, they are only used for smell, and not breathing. However, most fish just have a set of holes through which water flows. Yet, unlike most fish, a striped bass has a pair of nostrils on each side that maintain a connection between the nostrils and the mouth, like in humans. This actually allows for smell and taste to be integrated and shows us that the striper, as a fish, relies on smell and taste a lot more than vision to navigate through its world of water.

Mass Bay Striper Shootout III

Tournament Talk
Registration

VHF Radios for the Kayaker.....

The least you need to know
submitted by capestriper

Let’s face it, most of us spend more money than we’d care to admit purchasing not only our kayaks but all of the gear we tote along with us on our fishing excursions. But, not all of us have purchased a VHF radio and carry it with us every time our kayaks get wet. The cost of a VHF radio is small compared to many of the other purchases we make without hardly even thinking about it and the value could be incomparable to even the smallest kayak fishing purchase you have ever made.

NEKF Shootout Benefits Boys and Girls Club of Salem

Part of the proceeds from this year's shootout will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem. The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem utilizes Winter Island in Salem for their summer camps. Every $10 we end up donating provides a child with membership to an organization that gives them a compelling alternative to youth crime, gang membership, drugs, and other negative influences. As we get closer to the tournament we will post a list of some items that the Boys and Girls club is in need of - like art supplies, sports equipment and other items that you throw in your kayak as you head out to the Shoot Out. Through your support, we might be able to keep a few kids off the street and with a little luck, maybe they'll take up kayak fishing and someday show you their secret hot spot in Salem Sound.

Tournament Registration

Massachusetts Bay Striper Shootout Salem, MA August 24, 25, & 26 2007

The 3rd Annual NEKF Massachusetts Bay Striper Shootout will be held at Winter Island Salem Massachusetts on August 24, 25, & 26, 2007.

2006 Open Division Champion "Seadogface" & Fly Division Champion "Lefty" will be defending their titles. All kayak anglers are welcome to compete and join us for an awards presentation and cookout on Sunday including a raffle which will feature a kayak give away and more. Camping is available but limited. Call Winter Island for camping reservations:

978-745-9430.

Tournament Information

''Stick To The Plan'' Fly Angling Tournament Success

By Lefty

One of my goals for the 2006 season was to win a kayak fishing tournament.I set my sights on the 2006 NEKF Shootout at winter Island in Salem.I figured my experience at fly fishing for Stripers would give me the edge I needed to get my first kayak fishing tournament win. I entered the Shootout fly only division with confidence that I had a good shot at winning this event.I figured a 30" fish would be tough to beat on the fly so I set my plan in motion and targeted the Boston Harbor rip and Deer Island area as the best spot to get a fish of 30" or better on the fly. I had found some nice fish in that area prior to the tourney date and knew that decent fish would be present at night so I planned to fish all night during first night of the event.

Shoulder Pain and Kayakfishing

Shoulder Pain and Kayakfishing
By George DeFranca, DC

Kayakfishing, although fun, is associated with its share of injuries, usually those of a chronic nature. The word ‘chronic’ essentially pertains to longstanding pain due to a prior injury, repetitive motion, and/or overuse. Although acute injuries do occur, they are often due to trauma and consist of cuts, abrasions, sprains and strains. Ten percent of these acute injuries include fractures and are usually associated with surf zone entries or white water kayaking. It is interesting to note that the second most common reason for water-sport related deaths are due to canoe and kayaking injuries.(1) The vast majority of these deaths are preventable. Even though 98% of people that canoe or kayak carry a PFD, 75% of recorded fatalities happened among people not wearing one.(1,2) Amongst canoeing fatalities, 25% were attributable to alcohol use. The vast majority of deaths involving canoeists and kayakers were associated with inexperience, hazardous water, weather, or a combination thereof. Therefore, our creed as kayakfishermen should be “be prepared, be safe, be smart”. I would also add, know your limits and play within them. Paddle wear must be geared toward possible emersion. Therefore, dress for the water temperatures. Our website stresses the 50/50 rule where water and air temperatures should add up to 100 to be considered safe to be on the water. You must always wear your PFD.

2006 Mass Bay Striper Shootout Group Photo

2006 Mass Bay Striper Shootout Winners

2006 Shootout Champion Open Division

"Seadogface"

44" Striped Bass

2006 Shootout Champion Fly Division

"Lefty"

31" Striped Bass

2nd Place Open Division

"Rustyhook"

40 1/4" Striped Bass

3rd Place Open Division

"stonercj58"

40" Striped Bass

Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Grand Prize Winner

"Gumbo"