LIZELLA, GEORGIA -

The surge in popularity of kayaks and kayak fishing will be taken to a new level in 2010 as the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing begins its inaugural season with 18 multi-species tournaments, outlined in its recently released schedule. In keeping with the IFA's desire to make inshore fishing more exciting, lucrative and accessible, this first-year partnership with famed kayak maker, Hobie, expands the appeal of tournament angling through one-day, catch-photograph-release tournaments limited to non-motorized kayaks.

The regular season begins on February 28, when anglers fishing the Florida East Coast Division converge on Jacksonville, Fla., with the final regular-season event occurring on October 17, 2010, at Orange Beach, Ala. In all, the 2010 IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing will come to six states - from Texas to the Carolinas ­- bringing multiple, close-to-home opportunities for inshore and kayak-only anglers to be a part of a professionally operated tournament without significant investments of time or money.

"The IFA is excited to team with Hobie Fishing in offering a second day of competition," said Bart Schad of the IFA. "A great number of inshore anglers fish from kayaks and this tournament gives this group a chance to compete in a format custom designed for their tactics."

Each of the 18 regular-season events will commence on Sundays with the IFA Redfish Tour contested the previous day (Saturdays). In its inaugural season, the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing will feature 18 regular-season, catch-photograph-release events across six different division (mirroring the IFA Redfish Tour format, location and scheduling) as well as extremely lucrative payouts and expanded fishing opportunities for non-motorized fishing crafts.

"We are extremely proud of this new initiative between Hobie Fishing and the IFA," said Doug Skidmore, President of Hobie Cat Company. "This new tournament and 2010 Tour allow us to show our appreciation for all the saltwater kayak anglers and the exciting fishing they enjoy. Our goal is to reward the dedication of these anglers and to encourage others to join in on the kayak fishing experience."

The IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing is for kayak anglers from Texas to the Carolinas and beyond, seeking the opportunity to compete in any or all of the tour's six different divisions. Low entry fees for the one-day, regular-season tournaments allows anglers to fish close to home and minimize expenses, while still being a part of a premier inshore, catch-and-release inshore tournament organization.

For a complete set of the tournament rules and to learn more about The Redfish Tour visit www.redfishtour.com. To discover more about kayaking and Hobie Fishing go to www.hobiefishing.com. For more information on the IFA Redfish Tour, to become a member of the IFA or to become a part of the fastest-growing inshore fishing tournament series in the United States, go online to redfishtour.com.

IFA Redfish Tour events are made possible through the sponsorship and continued support of the fishing industry's most respected brands: Ranger Boats, Hobie Fishing, Cabela's, Yamaha Outboards, Rapala, Trigger X, Sufix, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Power-Pole, Wrap This, CW Crab, Charter Lakes Marine Insurance, Solar Bat, Gemini Custom Apparel, Navionics, Bob's Machine Shop, Blue Point Fabrication, Terminator, VMC Hooks, Loadmaster Trailers, Powertex Group and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing
2010 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

Atlantic Division
March 21 Charleston, SC
May 23 Surf City, NC
September 26 Georgetown, SC

Florida East Coast Division
February 28 Jacksonville, Fla.
May 2 Titusville, Fla.
October 10 Fernandina, Fla.

Florida West Coast Division
March 7 Punta Gorda, Fla.
May 16 Sarasota, Fla.
September 19 Ruskin, Fla.

Gulf Coast Division
March 14 Destin, Fla.
June 6 Panama City Beach, Fla.
October 17 Orange Beach, Ala.

Louisiana Division
April 25 Cocodrie, La.
June 20 Empire, La.
August 29 Grand Isle, La.

Texas Division
April 18 Port Lavaca, Texas
June 13 Rockport, Texas
September 12 Port Aransas, Texas

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