Kevin Arnold of Houston, TX writes:
We fished the FLW Kingfish Series for 2 seasons and even made a Top 5 at Nationals last year in Orange Beach, Ala. We could see this coming and didn't fish FLW this year at all.

It's too bad because they put on very professional tournaments.

Darrell Dorsey of Houston, TX writes:
I'd always like more kayak articles. Thanks.

Mike Tindal of Mobile, AL writes:
I think Bart is right about the IFA being unique enough to continue to grow through economic hard times. I saw this coming a year and a half ago, about the time I retired from fishing full scale and started just fishing the IFA and some other tournaments that were close to home.

I've heard rumors the FLW will not have a redfish circuit next year. If that happens the IFA will grow to over a hundred boats for many of their venues, and that's a good thing. The other circuit has limited their field and can't grow, but who knows, they'll probably change their rules again, and again, and again. That seems to be the MO for them.

Good article,
Mike Tindal

Donald Garrettson of Mobile, AL writes:
I was really glad to get the opportunity to fish the FLW pro-am event. Greg and Bryan Watts are a first class "act" - constantly pulling the others chain.

I was really glad for my roommates Chad Dufrene and Barnie White, and I appreciate them taking me in on such short notice as I found out with 72 hours until launch that I was fishing the tournament.

Thanks to all.

InshoreFan says: Donald is the co-angler who Chad Dufrene - the pro division champion - said helped him keep his head in the game on the 3rd day of competition.

Gary Hayes of New Orleans, LA writes:
I fished the FLW pro-am in New Orleans, La. I love to fish for reds and this was intense. These guys don't fool around. It was a hard boat ride and hard fishing, then they pack up and do it again the next day. Definitely a top-10 experience for me.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Arelene Mack of Atmore, AL writes:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the daily stats and activities of the New Orleans, La. tournament. While the information about the pros and their strategies is good, it would also be interesting to hear more from the co-anglers, their thoughts on fishing with the pros and their plans for the future.

Merrily Dunn of Bradenton, FL writes:
Congratulations to Starr Boykin, fishing the FLW Redfish Open. Day 2 pro standing at number 19 and qualifying to fish Day 3.

And congratulations to Barbara Scopelitis. Day 2 co-angler standing at number 16.

Good going girls and much success on your third day. We need more gals fishing these tournaments, together or with guys. Sorry Leiza and I couldn't fish this one with you.

Jeff Fisher of Boerne, TX writes:
I think that an alternate should not be allowed once a tournament starts, period, end of discussion!

The fact that (Geoff Page) signed up and entered the tournament knowing that he couldn't fish the entire event was a bad decision on his behalf. They should have used an alternate from day 1 knowing he couldn't fish day 3.

Cajun Phil Broussard of Lake Charles, LA writes:
I fish the Redfish Cup and I hate it when anglers always find something to gripe or complain about. No rule was broken here. Nothing should've been done differently.

Congratulations to the winners, they deserve it. Let's move on to the next tournament and be happy, friendly anglers with no complaints.

Rich Walter of San Antonio, TX writes:
I love all the tips, tricks and stories, but is there a reason we don't hear about the west coast fisheries? I'm talking about the California coast and the Pacific-Northwest guys who fish for salmon, flounder, halibut, rockfish and lingcod.

How about articles on what they use and fish for? What's the kayak of preference there compared to the Gulf Coast? How deep do they fish? Do they use fish finders? What size rods? Live bait or lures?

Sometimes I think we're too regional here and need to expand. This is supposed to be for inshore fishermen everywhere, right?

InshoreFan says: Great feedback, Rich. You're right, this sight is supposed to be for Inshore anglers, no matter which coast they live on. We'll inject some west-coast kayak content into the site in the future.

AC Lockyer of Winter Springs, FL writes:
I loved the articles on finding and obtaining sponsors. I think they really hit the nail on the head! I'd like to see more articles outlining what an attractive team resume would look like and what constitutes a good offer from a sponsor.

InshoreFan says: Thanks AC. We'll try to answer some of those questions in a future article.

Randy Boenigk of Bryan, TX writes:
My partner, G.T.Cantrell, and I never received an invite. We had two Top 5 finishes in 2005, one of which was a win in Chalmette, La. I personally couldn't fish the 2007 season, but we had a full ride in 2008 and e-mailed the Cup that info without hearing back.

I've only fished the Cup for 2 seasons, but G.T. fished it for the first 4 years. He deserved an invite, or at least an explanation.

The Cup field is a good field with a lot of talent, and I wish them and the Cup the best of luck. This format will be good for professional redfishing and will allow for other tournaments to fill in any voids. Hopefully all of this will continue to grow and advance the sport. Thanks for letting me speak my mind.

Capt. Jim Huddleston of Palm Harbor, FL writes:
Re: prefishing tactics -- I really enjoy reading the articles here at InshoreFan.com. I'll take some of the tips found here and adapt them to my home waters in and around Clearwater/Palm Harbor, Fla.

As far as prefishing time, as a full-time charter captain, my partner and I usually only get a few days to practice and we'll break it down separately to define our strategy.

First day: Burn that trolling motor over predetermined areas to see where fish are staging according to tide levels.

Second day: Work on the bigger fish to find what they want to eat and when.

Third day: Check on your big fish and then work on backup spots.

Stephen Fields of Due West, SC writes:
Re: prefishing tactics - I'm a tournament redfish angler from South Carolina, so it's tough for my partner (who lives in Jacksonville, Fla.) and I to prefish 10 days ahead of time. We get to prefish about 4 to 6 days before each tournament.

If we only have 2 days to prefish, we'll get a map and study the layout and structure of the area we're fishing. We then make several planned routes and fishing spots, and we study each spot at different times during the day.

I cut my hooks off my baits and just watch how fish react to it. If I'm on a school that looks like they're frisky to eat, I'll visit that spot on tourney day. Any spot with bait or redfish is a good bet, but go for the ones that are willing to eat first.

Andrew Jones of Sugar Land, TX writes:
I like the 3-inch, white Gulp! Alive! swimming mullet on a 1/4-ounce jighead with a gold colorado spinner blade. I won $1000 in a tournament with that bait last October.

Larry Pratt of Pearland,TX writes:
These are two great articles on winter trout fishing from a kayak. I enjoyed them very much and want to thank you for bringing them to us.

Steven Alqueza of Orlando, FL writes:
Re: '08 Redfish Cup roster -- I'd like to see a series of quailifier events for next year's Cup.

After this year, instead of the Top 40 teams, (the Redfish Cup) should keep the Top 30 teams, drop the bottom 10, and bring the Top 10 winners of a set of qualifier events. That way they have new blood and motivation for all Cup anglers.

Charlie Holt of Victoria, TX writes:
I've got a bum shoulder due to "lumber jackin" for 18 years. Fatigue is a factor in my kayaking. I'd like any information on proper paddling techniques.

InshoreFan says: You got it Charlie. Already working on it.

Dustin Koreba of Houston,TX writes:
Re: favorite way to rig Gulp! -- I like to rig a 4-inch, pearl white Swimming Mullet on a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce Norton screwlock jig head, and then put that on a H&H Cajun Spin arm. You now have a Gulp!-flavored spinnerbait.

Another favorite of mine is a 1/4-ounce Luhr-Jensen Hot Rod spoon. I pull the treble off and replace it with a 2/0 Gamakatsu EWG Superline worm hook. Then I Texas-rig a Swimming Mullet in pearl or chartreuse on the worm hook to trail behind the spoon.

Jason Makepeace of League City, TX writes:
Re: favorite way to rig Gulp! -- I like to rig it with a Redfish Magic spoon jig and a 1/16- to 1/8-ounce jighead.