Hobie Fishing Worlds 6 to be contested out of Moran’s Marina starting Thursday
More than 40 kayak anglers from almost 20 countries will descend upon Lafourche Parish this week to compete in the 2016 Hobie Fishing World Championship from Moran’s Marina in Port Fourchon.
Redfish, speckled trout and flounder will be targeted by the field in the Catch-Photo-Release tournament format, with the angler catching the highest cumulative total length winning the title.
All competitors will fish from identically-rigged Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14s, with the three days of competition getting underway on Thursday, Dec. 8 and the new champion slated to be crowned on Saturday, Dec. 10.
“You couldn’t ask for a better venue,” said Benton Parrott, the North American team captain from Florida. “The fishery is amazing, the food is top notch and I have always been welcomed with warm hospitality.”
Brendan Bayard and Steve Lessard, both of Baton Rouge, are the only two Louisiana anglers who qualified for the North American team.
Lessard, who was crowned as the Hobie Fishing Worlds 4 Champion in Europe in 2014, said he’s expecting stiff competition from the international field.
“Anyone can win it. A variety of techniques will catch the same fish,” Lessard said. “Topwater catches redfish and trout. Jigs are effective for all three species.
“A small variety of gear — a light, a medium and a heavy set-up — cover you for all three. The international anglers will adapt very quickly to our species.”
