Awesome Weekend With The Mariner-Sails & Hobie Team

I recently had the opportunity to work with some folks that have never been around kayaks or kayak angling. This opportunity came in part to the Hobie booth that was sponsored by Mariner Sails at the Rockwall Boat Show. The event was great and I was even able to brush up on my personal product knowledge, which is always helpful. I took many things away from this weekends event and here are just a few.

First, the Hobie line up is simply outstanding. It is great to work with a manufactuer that understands all components of the market they serve. I spoke to several folks who had no desire to fish, but a desire to go fast and have a kayak with superior handling so I reffered them to the trained pro’s from Mariner-Sails. My fist love is to the anglers so I didn’t venture far away from the Outbacks, Adventure Islands and Pro Anglers. One of the greatest improvements in the line up was making all the fishing kayaks Lowrance ready. This one feature has saved me time and numerous headaches from trail and error.

Secondly, how fast weather can change on the water. Most of you reading this post are expierenced anglers and kayakers but we need to be reminded to always watch the sky. Good times can turn rough in meer seconds. Make sure you get the jump on the storm and that you are proactive in your safety and the safety of your party.

Lastly, people have a strong need to belong to something. Whether it’s church, sports teams, fishing teams or whatever. I was asked over again about what clubs, organizations and forums are available to the beginner. I was quick in my response of the Mariner-Sails Fishing Club, Texas Fishing Forum, Paynes Paddle Fish and other social sites. Community is what kayaking angling is to me. I know we have a great time competing and talking smack but at the end of the day we are all a community!

The reason for the picture of my kayak is because she is beatuiful when she’s all shined up! Ready to take on the Texas Kayak Bass Open, October 5th, 2013. Hopefully some live updates and live tweeting from the event. Stay Tuned….

KEEP LIVING THE DREAM

It’s Going To Be A Great Weekend For Hobie Kayak Demos!

I Hope everyone enjoyed the weather over the weekend. This time of the year is so refreshing after a long, hot and dry Summer. This is also a great time of the year to attend kayak demos. When you are shopping for a new kayak it is always important to give everything a paddle or a pedal to make sure it is going to fit your needs. Follow the link, below, to the Rockwall Boat Show. Mariner-Sails will have a full line up of great kayaks for you to try. Feel free to come out and ask me anything about the Hobie line up. I look forward to seeing you and talking kayaking, fishing or anything else that’s on your mind.

http://visitrockwall.com/boatshow

KEEP LIVING THE DREAM!

The Future Depends On You!

Every morning when I open my computer the first thing I see is a picture of my son, holding his first kayak bass, this kicks starts my day and lets me know what’s most important.  It’s easy during the course of business or trying to promote a new fishing venture to lose focus on what’s the most important part of your life. When I’m looking through Facebook I always enjoy seeing the photos of the toads that have been caught, but what I most enjoy is looking at the kids holding up their trophies. Whether big or small it’s the smile that gets to me. It’s in those times that I realize fishing is not about trying to secure the latest corporate sponsor or editing the next segment of Kayak Bass Adventures. It’s about spending, quality, time with a kid who just wants to go catch something.

Over the Labor Day holiday I had the privilege to take my son on his first Kayak Bass Adventure to Lake Ray Roberts. This was his first time to pilot his own yak on open water. As a dad I was nervous and hoped that I had instructed him well. As we pulled away from the ramp he could see that I was keeping a close eye on him and giving more instruction, he looked at me and said, “Dad, I got this.” When I heard those words I relaxed and decided to let him have fun. We had an excellent day of talking about life, fishing, friends and video games. There are so many kids today that don’t have the opportunity to get outside or have a solid relationship with an adult.  That has to change.  

I learned a few things on the water that day and that trip has taken our strong relationship and made it stronger. Here are a few take a way’s.

1. Giving a kid the opportunity to pilot his boat on open water and catch his own fish builds confidence.
2. Taking time to spend with a kid away from distractions of cell phones and video games is priceless.
3. Kayak fishing promotes greater mental focus and maturity in kids. Usually this changes right before your eyes.
4. Giving a kid his own gear builds responsibility.
5. Passing on the gift of the outdoors

I could go on and on with this list. It would be amazing the change in our society if people took more time to build kids up. Your kids already think we are super heroes and it doesn’t take a lot to impress them. It just takes you realizing that you will be the difference maker in your kid’s life. Jack, I am proud of you son and enjoyed our time out on the water!

KEEP LIVING THE DREAM!

Special Thanks To Mariner-Sails for allowing us to demo the Hobie 11 Sport. Special Thanks to Shaun Russell for his patience and expert instruction on the water.

Great Visit With Luther Cifers From YakAttack

Every once in a while we have the opportunity to sit down with some of the giants in the Kayak Angling Community. I always value these conversations becasue it lends hope to the thousands of people out there trying to live their dream. YakAttack is living proof that dreams do come true, with hard work and Persistence!