World Predator Classic 2016 official magazine

IT’S ALL INSIDE YOUR WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC MAGAZINE!

INSIDE

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Page 5 Welcome to the 2016 edition of the World Predator Classic from Ross Honey. Event Founder and organiser.

Page 6 & 7 Your World Predator Classic Event Team Page 9 A warm welcome from our Title Sponsors

Pages 10-12 Make ours a double: Champions 2015, Luc Coppens & Jeremy Staveman

Pages 82-84 Stamp of approval: the

past, present and future of Plano’s tackle storage

Pages 14-15 Our winners of 2015:

These are the guys to watch out for, can they do it again?

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Pages 16-21 Cruise control:

Mercury’s new ProXS Higher Torque and unbeatable performance

Page 90 The anglers of the future: Children’s fishing academy

Pages 22-23 The World Predator

Page92 One for the bucket list

Pages 24-26 Tracker: A prize boat

Pages 96-99 The evolution of a fisherman’s wife by Debby de Kock

Classic incredible prize table

and the ultimate deep heavy duty fishing machine

Page 101 We’ve got it in the bag: the Street fishing bag that has everything

Page 29 Rapala: the Shadow Rap

Pages 102-105 Caught in the act: Say cheese, were you here last year?

Shad, pulls a big fish out of the water

Pages 30-33 Past, present & future: a never ending story by Willem Stolk, Shimano’s fishing guru

Page 56 Shimano: the perfect

Pages 106-107 Teamwork and the WPC Team Competition participants

Pages 60-62 Lowrance:

Pages 108-109 Team Rapala: meet the anglers representing Rapala in the boat event

match with Arthur Langstraat & Torben Kleiterp guiding the way since 1957

Pages 64-65 Official World Predator Classic Competition Map

Pages 110-111 Stay in charge:

Page 67 The Mayor of

Page 113 The weigh forward

Hellevoetsluis welcome

by Reuben Heaton

Page 68-69 Hellevoetsluis:

Pages 114-115 WPC Official Global

Angling capital of the Netherlands

Event Partners and Sponsors

Page 70-71 Great escapes:

Page 117 Time to join the elite with the Lowrance Elite series

Pages 34-35 Event itinerary: what’s happening where and when

Pages 36-37 The World Predator Classic Boat competition list

Pages 38-39 Spotlight on Finland: The Finland qualifier

Pages 40-41 Your New Head

Tackle shop De Catfish

with it: 10 top tips to improve your light jigging

Pages 74-77 Hooked on kayaks:

Page 122 Calm before the Storm:

Kayak Champion 2015 Daniel Van Der Post

globetrotters

Page81 The World Predator Classic

Page 126 Raising our spirits with our other competitions

Michael Laconelli

kayak competition participants

Introducing Shimano’s new Stradic

Pages 44-45 Wiley X: the choice of Champions

Pages 46-49 Street Fighters: Streetfishing Open 2016 by Ralph de Kock

Page54-55 Street fishing official list

there’s big plans afoot

Page 125 Global transport for

Pages 78-79 It’s all about the bass:

Page 43 Shimano the reel deal:

Michael Bongers Street Fishing Champion 2015

Pages 118-121 Let’s get jigging

Page 72 Meet the locals:

Marshal, Lars Bood

Pages 50-53 A basic instinct:

Li-ions well worth it’s weight

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WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Citta Romana official accommodation Partner

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Pages 86-89 The lure of change:

Chris Lebrandt

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WELCOME FROM EVENT FOUNDER ROSS HONEY

‘‘

I would like to take this opportunity of welcoming you to the 3rd edition of the World Predator Classic to be held here in and around the historic area of Hellevoetsluis. It is perhaps testimony to the manner in which the predator-angling world has embraced the event that, for me, it feels that is has been around a lot longer.

Without question, the event got off to a fantastic start in its inaugural showing in 2014 and, as a result, its foundations were set firmly. Nonetheless, as we approach just the third event, we have still further new technology to utilize this year. It is surprising just how quickly the technological boundaries have been pushed back and the event itself has evolved.

My greatest hope for this year is that all competitors and event sponsors, plus the vast network of people connected to the event in so many ways, will enjoy the event and take from it what is most desired. On my part, with sponsors that have provided a massively

Welcome..

to the 2016 World Predator Classic

Hellevoetsluis center will be the focal point for the street fishing once again, and this competition will now involve both day and night sessions. This is, of course, an exciting move that I am certain will produce some good and interesting results and I look forward greatly to seeing the catch reports.

The traditional Captains’ dinner at Citta Romana and the pre-event party will be great fun as it has been previously, with everyone in high spirits. These are the special moments when good friendships are formed and great memories are made.

The event format, with the field being split into two zones on days 1 and 2 and then a full open zone on day three, has proven to be most popular. Again, this will provide an extra dimension that will create further excitement.

Also this year, Competitors will have the opportunity and benefit of using the full event equipment and maps prior to the event which has been very well received.

There are some things that won’t change, of course, and we will once more enjoy the

benefits of a great event team and a superb marshalling team.

A few modifications have been made to the event and included in these changes is that there will be a selected number of marshals actually within the competitors’ boats - especially on the last day.

The street fishing event has attracted a massive international field and it will be very exciting to see who will emerge as the overall champion with there being night and day sessions.

The Kayak event category has again proven to be very popular and the vast competition arena that has been allocated is certainly going to create a test of endurance and skill.

I wish every angler participating in the event the very best of good fortune and that you enjoy an exceptional few days fishing. I will be honoured to greet you onto the stage at the prizegiving ceremony.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everybody involved and for all of the hard work that they have put in. Your help has ensured that this will once again be a very special event.

TOURNAMENT FOUNDER

‘‘

I wish every angler participating the very best of good fortune and that you enjoy an exceptional few days fishing. I will be honoured to greet you onto the stage at the prizegiving ceremony

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

impressive prize table for a field of world-class competitors – all of whom appreciate the challenge and the organization of the event - the two main ingredients are set in place.

However, there is plenty of spice to be added to the mix yet! Indeed, with several angling disciplines involved in this celebration of angling, these have served to provide further appeal.

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event TEAM

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC 2016

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

World Predator Classic: meet the event team Head of Event Organisers

Marianne Guillois Andy Chambers Event Director

Ross Honey Event Founder

I am proud to present to you my team – the hard working individuals who are involved in the staging of the World Predator Classic. As you can see, there is an amazing range of skills required to stage an event of such magnitude. I place my utmost faith in them to ensure that this World Class Event merits its title. It has taken a tremendous amount of hard work by everyone involved to bring the vision that I had to reality. I would like to thank each and every one of my team for their dedication and involvement.

Ambassador for Angling Spirit

Event Support & Co-ordination

Christian Biereth Event Adviser

Richard Engelkes

Event Support

Other Event Organisers

Gero Priebe

Kayak Co-ordinator

Rob Hughes Event Presenter

Media and Photography

Robert Kiss

Media Production

Dorien van de Kuilen

Event Photographer

Brief encounters ... Ross Honey has a chat with the WPC marshals prior to the event

Dave Richards

Operations Executive

Lars Bood

Head Marshal

Ron Van Den Bergh

Meet your Marshals

Event Technology

Street Fishing Event Organisers

Ralph De Kock Street Fishing Event Co-ordinator

Fishing Academy Co-ordinator

Guido Merlijn

Michel Luijendijk

Ronald van Loenhout

Mark Lubberts

Joost Holleman

Marieke Walkman Jouke Bussing Street Fishing Event Support

Street Fishing Presenter & Knock-Out Marshal

Other Event Organisers

Wilbert Mostert

Boudewijn Stolk

Dinus Herrewijnen Wellantcollege

Tarek Nijenhuis Florian Fichtner Klaus Eierdanz

Jan Van derr Knaap Communications Specialist

Stage Presence Official Event Magazine Syste van der Harst Event Media

Dave Richards Magazine Editor

Lucy Allsopp Art Director

Sophie & Victoire Honey

Parade & Prize Giving Assistance

Johan Boots n There will also be a team of marshals joining us from Wellant College. These guys have helped us in previous years and also on our other events so they have good knowledge. And a special thank you to Dinus Herrewijnen for liaising and supporting us with his students.

A big thank you also goes to those who have contributed to this magazine: n Dave Richards as Magazine Editor n Lucy at Bang the Drum Designs n Everyone that provided photographs & articles

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World Predator Classic: SPONSOR’S WELCOME

This is the third year into the event and excitement is building: Who will be the heroes of World Predator Classic 2016?

Since the start 2014 the event has grown both in volume and in value: The main sponsors Rapala and Shimano have dedicated a great deal of resources to make the competition a truly unique European angling event that gathers the very best of the best predator anglers in one spot.

In fact, one of the key ideas is to strengthen the ties of the predator angling community, bring more media attention and new people to the sport.

And a true sport it is: Rapala and Shimano are happy to sponsor an event, which shows how much meticulous preparation, long days of training and choosing the absolute best equipment are needed from the World Predator Classic participants.

The competition gets tougher every year as the participants gather more experience. It truly is any team’s game this year!

The World Predator Classic are also thrilled to welcome more world leading brands to our partner list. Lowrance has joined us as one of the world’s leading specialists in marine electronics,

this is an amazing opportunity for our competitors. We have brought Plano to the partner table, with their amazing range of storage you have no excuse to not have your equipment in the right place. Mercury engines are supporting us as ever with their incredible engines that will really power your boat and get you to that favourite spot on the water.

Also, Nitro & Tracker boats that will have you fishing in comfort and style with their incredible range of boats.

May the best anglers win!

Welcome to World Predator Classic 2016!

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

A HUGE WELCOME TO ALL FROM OUR SPONSORS

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2015 wpc world champions: luc coppens & jeremy staverman

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Preparation for a competition is vitally important, but also having a wide range of techniques, and the ability to be flexible are just as vital with an event like this.

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Having won the World Predator Championship for two years in a row, Luc Coppens and Jeremy Staverman are excited at the thought of making it a Hat Trick, but they know that their past success has added pressure on them this year

You can prepare as much as you want, but in a competition, things can change very quickly. The waters change from day to day.

Possibly that spot that you had an eye on has been hammered for a couple of days or one of your competitors has beaten you to it.

This is where you need to adapt and adapt quickly. Then you need to understand this and don’t put too much time into that spot as time is very important in this tournament, as you start every day with a clean sheet! I think luck is something you need when it comes to losing fish, you might lose a big fish just in front of the net, or it throws the hook just when it’s netted, that’s when you know you have luck on your side! But I don’t think someone can win this game purely with luck, I will never say that.

Luck needs to be your friend, that’s a fact, otherwise with the high level of this competition you can maybe end up second or third instead of first. So the guys who also finished high in the rankings always have my respect as they know what they are doing and are serious candidates to win the event.

Luc & Jeremy have been fishing partners for around 4 years now. Learning trick’s and techniques from each other. Luc has had a lifetime of fishing experience from when he was small, it was a big passion then and is passion now.

Luc has been a competition angler now for about 12 years, but he has always been very competitive and likes a challenge. Luc tries to mix things up as much as he can. Changing a lure that is catching well and search for something else if it can equal or even better the other.

2015 wpc world champions: luc coppens & jeremy staverman

MAKE OURS A

DOUBLE! It’s the same with a good spot, many times he will leave a good spot after catching some fish to find other good spots. He certainly doesn’t want to make it too easy.

Another big factor in competition fishing is always the weather, especially wind, with such big lakes as there are in Holland.

We never get used to it, we try as much as possible to adjust to it and use it to drift the boat so that we reach the spots where we like to fish, controlling the boat with as little as use of the electric motor as possible. Don’t fight the wind, go with it. Many anglers here in Holland use drift sock’s and drift anchors (drogues), we didn’t use one in last year’s competition, but maybe we will next time,

depends how we want to target the spots we want to fish.

When people point to you as one of the favourites, there is a lot on pressure on your shoulders, either you like it or not. First, you have the huge pressure that you need to handle, after the first day you can be in a good position and the adrenaline is pumping, you need to compete for another two days with the knowledge that you still can lose the good position you gained on the first day. That feeling weighs heavily, but you can’t beat the adrenaline. It is like a drug you cannot buy and it’s something that maybe comes or not, but when it’s there its very intense and it gives you a lot of energy!

Instead of sleeping you lay in your bed, thinking about the tactics for the next day, counting the minutes to start again. I don’t like that sleepless feeling but it’s something all competitive anglers deal with.

I think the two zones is a good system, you start each day with a clean sheet. It definitely gives more possibilities for those that don’t know the lake so well. This gives more anglers a chance to win the competition and makes for an interesting tournament.

The Nitro boat that we won last year is a fantastic boat, that’s for sure. We tried it on choppy water and it handled really well. The Mercury motor is one that really stands out, it has an amazing amount of power which

2015 wpc world champions: luc coppens & jeremy staverman

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

‘‘

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will get you to that spot you want in super speed.

Technology is also very important these days as most anglers use it, finding fish is never easy where ever you fish be it on large or small waters, but being able to recognise structures, bottom depths, and then having the skill to interpret all that information can give you a really good idea where to fish. Taking the time to investigate the water can really make a difference.

Many anglers will go to spots they fished in previous years at the World Predator Classic, remembering that they had some good catches in those locations. However everything changes all the time and what was good last year may well not be good this year. Like Luc mentioned before being the most flexible with the right techniques for any given day will be the one who comes through! Luc and Jeremy will have several plans in their heads, but only on the day itself will they decide what they’ll do.

This competition cannot be won on just one lure ... the size of Haringvliet, this would never work.

As far as lures, for Luc & Jeremy, they say they always have too many with them. However, it depends on the situation. You cannot say right now what it will be, will the fish feed on the bottom or suspend along the weeds, will rocky structures play a big role here this time? Luc and Jeremy will use a mix from all these lures and mostly it’s different on each spot.

That’s why this competition cannot be won on just one lure. Some years ago there was a big ONE lure competition in Holland, before the event started you chose your lure and that was it for the rest of the day. Luckily Luc and Jeremy chose the right one and won the competition. However somewhere the size of Haringvliet, this would never work.

On Luc & Jeremy’s visit to Rapala in Finland, they described it as ‘out of this world, we were treated like real VIPS, and the professionalism and the passion that this company puts into it’s products just really showed. It was an incredible trip, we were shown everything, the capacity and dedication from every employee from the factory floor up through to the engineering department was truly amazing. A visit we will definitely remember for ever’.

Luc & Jeremy’s plan for this year - to fish hard and be very focused. To win for a third time would just be incredible, but difficult. The competition is very high and just taking part in the event is great.

You never know, if the gods are with us this time, we will be ready and won’t let them down n

World Predator Classic: meet the event team

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM 13

WINNERS 2015

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

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2015 was the second World Predator Classic running over three days with three main competitions – boats, Kayaks and Street Fishing.

Building on the pervious years success we moved the Headquarters to the Droogdok which proved a fantastic venue.

With 46 boats from 17 countries, 33 kayaks from 9 countries, and 163 street fishing participants from 10 countries there certainly was a buzz about Hellevoetsluis. Every category was close, it was a real ‘nail biter’ right to the end. Finishing with an incredible prize giving ceremony at the end of the three days in the Droogdok itself. The ceremony ended with the winners of the boat event taking their extraordinary boat and equipment prize totalling well over £70,000!

Biggest Fish

Name

Country Species Length

1st Place

2nd

3rd

Willem Stolk & Chris Bloemert

Arnaud Briere & Laurent Vrignaud

Robert Policha & Tomek Krysiak

Netherlands Zander 78.0

France Perch 53.0

Poland Pike 117.0

World Predator Classic: ROLL OF HONOUR 2015

Boat Champions

Name

1st Place

2nd

3rd

Luc Coppens Jeremy Staverman

Jurgen Hease Dustin Schone

Arnaud Briere Laurent Vrignaud

Belgium 4 1 9 360.0 563.0 171.0

Germany 2 9 6 303.0 544.0 148.0

France 13 3 2 358.0 395.0 171.0

Country Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Perch Zander Pike

Team Winners

Team

1st

Rapala 2 - France & Finland

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

Arnaud Briere & Laurent Vrignaud Markku Tiusanen & Antti Anttila

13 5

3 1

2 16

40

7 14

11 14

53

12 1

10 9 56

2nd Shimano 1 - Netherlands

Herman Schuurman & Jan Boomsma Willem Stolk & Chris Bloemert

6 1

2nd Mercury 3 - Germany

Robbie Smeets & Danny Damen Luc Coppens & Jeremy Staverman

20 4

Overall Kayak Winners

Name

Streetfishing Winners

Name Country Points

1st Place

2nd

Michael Bongers Dennis Horvath Germany 149

Netherlands 100

3rd

Dustin Habener Poland 100

Country Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Perch Zander Pike

1st Place

2nd

Daniel Van der Post Michael Weber Netherlands 1 1 4 324.0 392.0 63.0

Germany 4 8 3 148.0 235.0 123.0

3rd

Felipe Esser Germany 2 3 12 147.0 288.0 83.0

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC PRIZE: THE MERCURY PRO XS FOUR STROKE

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CREW’S Mercury’s new Pro XS engine delivers a durability ... everything a freshwater

CONTROL higher torque, unbeatable performance and greater angler needs to lead the pack in tournament season

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC PRIZE: THE MERCURY PRO XS FOUR STROKE

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As the world leader in commercial and recreational marine propulsion, Mercury Mercury Marine is the biggest name in freshwater fishing that listens to tournament anglers and provides them the performance, durability and reliability necessary to climb to top of the leaderboard.

Consider U.S. pro Edwin Evers, a member of Mercury’s Pro Team who won the 2016 Bassmaster Classic in a dramatic come-frombehind finish in March. Fishing on Grand Lake in Oklahoma against 54 of the best freshwater anglers in the world, Evers started the last day of the tournament trailing the leader, then brought an amazing 13.23 kilos of bass to the scales to capture the title, trophy and champion’s money with a commanding win. Including Evers’ recent victory, Mercury Pro Team anglers have won 10 of the last 12 Bassmaster Classics.

“I wouldn’t have had a chance to win the Classic without the durability of my 250 Pro XS,” Evers said of his trusted Mercury outboard engine.

Thanks to feedback from pros like Evers, Mercury has designed and built its Pro XS series engines ranging from 115hp to 250hp to be so powerful and reliable they are the most popular tournament-fishing outboard engines in the world.

New 115 Pro XS FourStroke

I wouldn’t have had a chance to win the Classic without the durability of my 250 Pro XS EDWIN EVERS

Mercury recently drew on its heralded Pro XS heritage to add another great outboard to the lineup that gives freshwater anglers a huge advantage over the competition: the new 115 Pro XS FourStroke.

“Like the other engines in the Mercury Pro XS family, the new 115 Pro XS is conceived and designed to deliver class-leading performance and durability to tournament anglers and other discerning fishermen who enjoy the benefits of running higher-rpm outboard engines,” said Larry Teeling, Mercury global category manager.

“The 115 Pro XS is the perfect propulsion solution for competitive anglers with aluminum and fiberglass fishing boats in the 5- to 5.5-meter range.”

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The new 115 Pro XS was intelligently designed to provide fresh and saltwater anglers exactly what they’ve been asking for – an outboard that is light and second to none in performance

The 115 Pro XS delivers .. n Fastest top speed: Up to 4.8 km/h faster than its nearest competitor and more than 1.6 km/h faster than Mercury’s standard 115 FourStroke. The 115 Pro XS’ higher rpm range delivers improved performance from an alreadypowerful engine. n Quickest acceleration: More than 1 second quicker than Mercury’s standard 115 FourStroke.

The ability to run lower-pitch props puts the boat on plane quicker, reducing 0-to-32 km/h acceleration time by 1 to 2 seconds. This enables anglers to carry more gear onboard and provides an edge in racing to the best fishing locations, then back to the dock. n Higher full-throttle rpm: Increasing engine rpm from 6000 to 6300 allows prop pitch to be reduced, resulting in maximum performance benefits. n Idle-Charge: This new feature provides up to 48% more battery charging at idle speed to support the greater power demands of today’s sophisticated marine electronics and accessories. What’s more, it lets boaters and anglers safely stay out on the water longer.

“The new 115 Pro XS also is available with marine-industry-exclusive options for highoutput outboard engine models,” said Teeling.

These include:

Based on the popular Mercury 115 FourStroke, the new Mercury 115 Pro XS delivers significantly better performance than any other high-output 115hp outboard on the market. In fact, the compact 115 Pro XS is 7.25 kilos lighter than the Mercury 115 OptiMax it replaces, and 8.16 kilos lighter than the nearest competing 115hp engine.

Its 2.1-litre displacement is higher than that of any competing 115hp engine.

This unbeatable combination delivers higher torque, better performance and greater durability – everything a freshwater angler needs to lead the pack in tournament season.

“The new 115 Pro XS was intelligently designed to provide fresh and saltwater anglers and other boaters exactly what they’ve been asking for – an outboard that is light and second to none in performance,” Teeling said.

n The Command Thrust gearcase: This makes the engine compatible with Mercury’s larger-diameter propellers – including the Fury and the Tempest Plus – that help the engine deliver improved performance and lift heavy, tournament-loaded boats onto plane easier and hold them there at lower speeds. n A 63cm shaft: In addition to the standard 50.8cm shaft the 63cm shaft makes this engine an ideal option to power or repower a wide range of boats.

As a member of the powerful Mercury Pro XS family, the new 115 Pro XS FourStroke also delivers these unparalleled benefits: n Ease of maintenance: Boaters and anglers can spend less time servicing the engine and more time fishing and enjoying life on the water. n Superior protection against corrosion: Mercury’s industry-leading ultra-low copper content alloys help create an outboard built to withstand the elements. n Mercury’s industry-leading three-year warranty, standard.

“Mercury’s extensive offering of outboard engines, which now includes the 115 Pro XS, makes us the go-to engine manufacturer for the tournament angler,” Teeling said.

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC PRIZE: THE MERCURY PRO XS FOUR STROKE

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC PRIZE: THE MERCURY PRO XS FOUR STROKE

New Fury 4 propeller Mercury Propellers gave “heavy boat” anglers what they’d been asking for by introducing the Fury 4 propeller at the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic in March in Oklahoma, U.S. “Freshwater tournament anglers who load their boats with the latest fishing technology need a propeller that will help them reach top speeds ahead of the competition,” said Teeling. “The Fury 4 has four high-progressiverake blades made of Mercury’s X7 Alloy for additional lift and superior top speed on heavy, tournament-loaded boats.”

Mercury’s proprietary X7 Alloy is 30 percent stronger and four times more durable than conventional steel.

The Fury 4 features 8 PVS holes that get boats on plane faster and deliver excellent shallowwater launches. What’s more, the Fury 4 delivers stable handling and superior holding in rough water.

Mercury’s Fury 4 complements the original Fury propeller, so now there’s a Fury for all anglers. While the three-blade original Fury set the speed standard for bass boats with light and medium loads, the Fury 4 gives competitive anglers with heavily loaded boats an additional 1.6 km/h over the Fury – making it the fastest propeller in the world for heavy tournamentloaded boats.

The new Fury 4 from Mercury Propellers is available in 61cm, 63.5cm and 66cm pitches in right-hand rotation. It is recommended for tournament-loaded boats with outboard power in excess of 200hp.

New Mercury Spitfire X7 propeller

Prop-to-helm solutions Mercury makes far more than just best-in-class outboard engines and propellers. The marine giant also offers a full range of propulsion-related and navigation products and accessories for virtually every type of boat. And each Mercury product is designed to work together within the same ecosystem to provide comprehensive solutions that make boating easier, safer and more cost-effective.

Take Mercury Marine’s new Active Trim

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SpitFire X7 was the first propeller in the 75-115hp engine class to be manufactured with Mercury’s proprietary X7 alloy. Expanding on design elements from the best-inclass aluminum SpitFire

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

The Fury 4 is not the only new propeller Mercury has introduced recently for competitive freshwater anglers. Last fall, the company introduced the SpitFire X7, a stainless steel propeller designed to improve all performance facets of the growing 75-115hp outboard class.

SpitFire X7 was the first propeller in the 75-115hp engine class to be manufactured with Mercury’s proprietary X7 alloy. Expanding on design elements from the best-in-class aluminum SpitFire, the SpitFire X7 significantly improves acceleration, top speed and holding ability compared to other stainless steel propellers in its class.

“A high-performance propeller is the most cost-efficient way to improve a boater’s experience, and for the 75-115hp outboard class, the SpitFire X7 delivers,” said Jared Reichenberger, brand manager for Mercury Propellers. “With gains of up to 2.4 kilometers per hour and substantial acceleration improvements versus other stainless propellers, the SpitFire X7 is the new benchmark in performance for midrange outboard engines.”

The new SpitFire X7 is available in 38cm, 43cm, 48.26cm and 53.34cm pitches.

system, a unique prop-to-helm solution designed to make boating easier and more enjoyable by automatically trimming outboard and sterndrive engines. With Active Trim, new boaters can enjoy perfect trim every time without experiencing an intimidating learning curve. And veteran boaters don’t have to keep their hand on the trim switch to adjust the drives when the boat’s speed changes or when going into a turn. Active Trim improves the boat’s ride quality and engine performance, and decreases fuel costs by maintaining optimum trim at all times.

“Active Trim is like switching from manual to automatic transmission in a car,” said Rob Hackbarth, category director − controls and rigging at Mercury Marine. “You will forget you even have trim.”

Sure, there have been automatic trim systems on the market before. But, unlike earlier systems, Mercury’s Active Trim is both GPS speed- and rpm-based, rather than only rpm-based, making it much more precise. Additionally, Active Trim has five trim profiles that let boaters personalize Active Trim to their own driving style and/or compensate for changes in boat load, operator preference and weather conditions, while maintaining full automatic operation.

Mercury Marine officially launched Active Trim at the Miami International Boat Show in February, but not until it had tested the system with countless boaters, dealers and boat builders. The company found that versus not trimming, Active Trim improves fuel economy by up to 54 percent. “Over time, Active Trim will pay for itself via reduced fuel costs,” said Hackbarth.

Active Trim is compatible with 40hp to 400hp Mercury FourStroke outboards, two-stroke outboards linked with Mercury SmartCraft, and all gas and diesel MerCruiser sterndrive engines with SmartCraft. The system also is available for retrofitting to engines already in the field.

It takes more than rods, reels and fishing tackle to win tournaments like the World Predator Classic. It also takes a powerful, reliable and durable propulsion system to get your boat out to the fishing grounds and back again ahead of the competition. Mercury has your back. n

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WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC 2016

PRIZE TABLE

World Predator Classic 2016: PRIZE TABLE

Boat Event Overall Champions n 2 trophies & World Predator Classic Champions title and Champions Shirts. n Tracker Pro Guide V-175 SC Boat & Mercury 115 HP Pro XS Four Stroke

n Pega Tracker Multiliner Trailer n Lowrance 2 x HDS Gen 3 9” n Jaro Cell 2 x lithium power packs n Wiley X glasses and a year sponsorship agreement n Rapala factory visit including flights: Winners will receive a 100 of their own designed and coloured lure which will become the official lure for WPC2017. One day’s fishing with a Rapala Pro Guide n Shimano Products n VMC Tackle Box filled with hooks n Plano Products n A featured review: Your year as champions in the 2017 Official event magazine.

Biggest Fish Longest Pike

n 1 trophy, Rapala lures plus.. other sponsor prizes

Longest Zander 2nd Overall

n 2 trophies n Rapala Lures n Motorguide Xi5: featuring Variable Ratio Steering n Lowrance 2 x Elite ti -7” n Jaro Cell 2 x lithium power packs n Wiley X glasses, Shimano Products, Plano Products and VMC Tackle box filled with hooks

3rd Overall

5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Overall n 2 trophies and Rapala lures plus .. Wiley X glasses and Plano products

9th & 10th Overall

n Rapala lures plus ..other sponsors’ prizes

Team Event 1st Place

n 2 trophies n Motorguide Xi5 featuring Variable Ratio Steering n Lowrance 2 x Hook 4” n Jaro Cell 2 x lithium power packs n Rapala lures and Shimano Products plus .. Wiley X glasses,VMC tackle box filled with hooks and Plano Products

n 4 trophies & WPC Team Champion title n Rapala lures plus ..Wiley X glasses and other sponsor prizes

n 2 Trophies n Rapala lures and Shimano products plus ..Wiley X glasses and Plano products

n 4 trophies n Rapala lures plus ..

Wiley X glasses and other sponsor prizes

4th Overall (2 anglers)

2nd Place

n 4 trophies n Rapala lures plus ..Wiley X glasses and other sponsor prizes

3rd Place

n 1 trophy, Rapala lures plus.. other sponsor prizes

Longest Perch

n 1 trophy, Rapala lures plus.. other sponsor prizes

Street Fishing Event 1st Place

n 1 Trophy n Lowrance Equipment Plus ..

Wiley X glasses, VMC Hooks & Tackle box, Plano products and Shimano products

World Predator Classic 2016: PRIZE TABLE

Top prizes for top anglers!

We are delighted to have such a massive, high-quality prize table for this year’s event, thanks to the fantastic sponsors and event partners.

Our top prize up for grabs is the amazing 2016 Tracker® Pro Guide™ V-175 SC boat kitted out with the high-performace Mercury 115hp Pros XS Four Stroke engine!

The TRACKER® Pro Guide™ V-175 SC is a big boat for big water and big fish—and with an outboard capacity of 115 HP, it can get you into the fish and out of the weather in a hurry.

The side-console design leaves plenty of room in the deep cockpit for 360° fishing, and there’s lots of storage for rods and gear.

The Deep V hull has a deep 20° deadrise and a welded-in longitudinal stringer system that unitizes the transom and hull—all this means a smooth and solid ride, designed to keep you and your crew dry and to endure years of pounding choppy water. And it’s backed by the TRACKER Promise—the best factory warranty in aluminum boats.

Combine that with the incredible power, and mind-blowing performance of the Mercury 115hp Pros XS Four Stroke engine and you have a true fishing machine! n Backed by the TRACKER® Promise—the

best factory warranty in aluminum boats

n Side-console design with protective

windshield & waterproof switches/gauges

n 3 folding, movable fishing seats with 6 seat

pedestal bases

n A feature review of their year as a champion in the 2017 WPC magazine

2nd & 3rd Place

n 1 Trophy n VMC hooks & tackle box plus .. Wiley X glasses and other Sponsor prizes

4th, 5th, 6th, 7th,8th 9th & 10th n 1 Trophy plus .. other Sponsor prizes

Streetfishing Team Event

1st, 2nd & 3rd Place

n 2 Trophies and sponsors prizes Sponsors’ prizes

Kayak Event 1st Place n 1 Trophy plus Title of WPC 2016 kayak champion and Champions shirt n Entry to Hobie World event n VMC hooks and tackle box plus.. Shimano products, Lowrance equipment, Plano products and Wiley X glasses n A feature review of their year as champion in the 2017 WPC magazine

2nd & 3rd Place n 1 Trophy n Shimano products plus ..Wiley X glasses and Plano products

4th, 5th, 6th, 7th,8th 9th & 10th n 1 Trophy plus .. other Sponsor prizes

Kayak Team Event

1st, 2nd & 3rd Place

n 2 Trophies and Sponsors prizes

Spirit of Angling Award n 1 Trophy and Sponsors prizes

n 20° deadrise, all-welded Deep V hull for a

drier ride & smooth handling in big water

n Exclusive VERSATRACK® accessory

mounting channel in gunnel

n Welded-in longitudinal stringer system &

transom for a unitized hull

n Diamond Coat™ finish for ultimate durability

& long-lasting good looks

n Easy-clean vinyl cockpit floor & carpeted

fore & aft decks

n Bow 19 gal. & aft 29 gal. aerated livewells

w/removable bait buckets

n Flotation meets or exceeds NMMA & U.S.

Coast Guard requirements

And there’s more ... the boat is kitted out with the very latest in marine technology from Lowrance. This equipment will really help you to understand the waters that you are fishing.

Wait, it doesn’t stop there!

Also Included is an incredible Pega Tracker Multiliner Trailer, giving you safe and secure transport of this amazing boat. With over 60 years of experience you can guarantee this trailer will be easy to use, and with an extremely high-quality finish to help you transport your fishing-machine straight to the water.

23

PRIZE BOAT: TRACKER V-175 SC IS A WINNER

‘‘ Bass Pro founder, Johnny Morris, explains why Tracker boats are one of the most respected and best selling names in the angling world.

And this year’s World Predator Classic’s top prize, provided by Bass Boat Germany, is no exception

Welcome, anglers to the World Predator Classic 2016! It’s the third year of the competition and the 38th model year for Tracker and we’ve got some great new things in store for you.

The big news this year is two big new boats. For 2016, we’re introducing our largest Mod V ever – the Pro Team 195 TXW – and our largest Deep V ever – the Targa V-20.

These heavy-duty fishing machines pack more power and speed than we’ve ever offered in an aluminium boat and the added size makes them comfortable and secure for big families.

With industry-leading technologies like robotic welding, precision plasma cutters and our exclusive Diamond Coat finish, we’ve continuously improved the quality of our aluminium boats. So much so, that starting in 2015, we introduced the Tracker Promise Warranty – the best factory warranty in aluminium boats. Among other things, this warranty offers a lifetime guarantee in the deck and structure and five full years of bow-to-stern coverage.

When the idea of the first boat, motor and trailer package came to us in the mid1970’s, we knew it would be a game-changer.

And looking back at the past four decades, it certainly has been. The name Tracker has become synonymouswith quality, value and all-American family fun.

Our boats have become the best-selling in America becuase of our decision to those three things – quality, value and families. We are dedicated to building the best fishing boat value possible. No shortcuts. No compromises. And no excuses. That’s the Tracker way. Catch a whopper!

Johnny Morris Founder, Bass Pro Shops

TRACK No excuses. No shortcuts.

Tracker’s Deep V Boats

24

For larger bodies of water where waves and wind roughen the surface, you need a TRACKER® Deep V. Built especially to take on the characteristics of bigger waters, these boats are well-known for being rugged and smooth riding.

To take on the chop and larger swells, TRACKER Deep V fishing boats feature steep sides and deep, heavy-duty, all-aluminum transoms (up to 25” [63.50 cm] on many models). They also feature extra-wide

bottoms for maximum fishing stability.

The extra-wide bottom and tall sides also translate into a deep, roomy interior where anglers and boaters of all ages can feel more comfortable fishing in, rather than on, the boat.

In comparison to Mod Vs, Deep Vs are designed with a sharper V shape, up to 35” at the bow, to slice through the waves. Reverse chines help provide increased stability, better steering handling, additional lift (even with lower horsepower engines) and a drier

ER

No compromises. That’s the Tracker way!

ride by deflecting water downward. Lastly, formed-in performance strakes along the running surface help the boat plane faster and track straighter.

The result is a boat that is ready to slice through chop, producing a smoother, dryer ride, while also providing a solid, stable platform, at rest or full throttle for cruising or water sports.

Whether you’re fishing, skiing or just enjoying a relaxing day with your family, every full-featured boat comes rigged and

ready to go. They all include a Minn Kota® trolling motor, Lowrance® fishfinder, aerated livewell, multiple storage areas, Mercury® outboard motor and custom-matched trailer.

And with the exclusive Diamond Coat™ finish on every model, your boat is sure to hold its head-turning looks for years to come.

Plus, all TRACKER® boats are NMMA certified, letting you know they’re built for years upon years of great family fishing and fun.

Diamond Coat: Durability and lasting beauty ...

First, the fully unitsized hull/stringer/transom assembly goes through a five-stage automated wash to remove any obstacles to adhesion. The prepped assembly is then robotically coated with powder and a technician coats the parts the wands can’t reach.

Next, the electrostatically coated hull enters

PRIZE BOAT: TRACKER V-175 SC IS A WINNER

We build our boats with unflagging attention to detail at every step of the process. the curing oven and the finish becomes bonded on a molecular level to the aluminium surface.

Finally, clear coat is added for a lustrous shine and protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

So, as you can see, Diamond Coat isn’t the conventional approach – but it’s the best. You’ll understand when you get up close to one of our boats at the WPC event.

The environment gets a bonus as well.

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Dedication to Quality: Tracker Construction

26

Tracker boats are built to be the best, using the best practises for best results.

We’ve invested our resources in modern technology to build our boats with unflagging attention to detail at every step of the process. And by applying lean Sigma principles – which emphasize the best use of resourses, elimination of waste, rediction of variation and utilization of each craft person’s talents to the the fullest – Tracker owners receive the very best aluminium boat and the very best value.

Virtually every component of each Tracker boat is built in the heart of America. From the hand-welded hulls, to the hand-crated marine-grade upholstery, to the rotomolded virgin linear polyethylene consoles. From welds that are hand primed before receving a Diamond Coat finish, to the axles that are custom cut and assembled for each boat trailer.

In addition – and unlike many other boat builders – our plant is set up to build any Tracker model, any day, eliminating costly, time-consuming plant conversions and optimising our inventories so you get the boat you want, when you want it, wherever you are.

We also listen closely to our customers.

Each year, thousands of Tracker owners give us feedback through our Voice of the Customer sustem. because, even though our satisfaction ratings are higher than they’ve ever been, customer ideas continually inspire us to build better boats.

Fine-tuned Performance: Our in-factory, Mercury-trained

technicians rig every Tracker boat with a Mercury outboard, saving your dealer time and money – therefore saving you time and money. Here’s how this benefits you: l Enhances overall performance from the beginning. l Improves consistency l Ensures that Mercury specs are applied every time, on every boat. l Frees dealers of service teams to provide timely service. l Reduces overall costs, and the savings are passed on to you.

It’s a no-brainer for us to choose the best-selling recreational marine outboards in the world to power the best-selling fishing boats in the world.

All of our boat/motors/trailer packages, Mod Vs, Deep Vs and console-equipped Grizzly boats, are pre-rigged with a Mercury outboard.

The complete package ... every fullfeatured Tracker boat is pre-rigged with a a Minn Kota® trolling motor, Lowrance® fishfinder, Mercury® outboard motor and custom-matched trailer.

RAPALA: THE NEW SHAD ON THE BLOCK

Introducing Rapala’s new Shadow Rap Shad... pulls big fish out of the shadows

RAPALA

Big fish can’t resist the tantalizing, slow-rising action of the new Shadow Rap Shad, from Rapala.

Swimming with the infamous horizontal struggle and a vertical “rise” on the pause, it perfectly mimics a shad in trouble. Its larger side profile presents more flash and allows the angler to fish a wide range from finesse to a more aggressive retrieve with a distinctly different response.

Fish it finesse in the morning when the big ones are still a little sleepy, then ramp it up all the way to an aggressive action, matching the mood of the fish. The revolutionary new “frosted” colors absorb light and minimize flash, just right for an enhanced absence of aggressiveness.

It’s about the struggle…

Each Shadow Rap Shad kicks almost 180 degrees right then left, with very little forward travel, staying in the strike zone for longer.

Head Up Attitude ...

Head up, ready to rise, the fixed weight system allows lure to rise slowly like a dying shad.

Slack line look back ...

After a sharp snap of your rod and generous slack line, it will actually spin around and look backwards directly into the eye of its pursuer as it slowly rises like a dying shad.

Features: l Textured Scale Body l Translucent & Frosted Colors l Sharp Left to Right Turns l Slow Rising on Pause l Premium VMC® Thin Wire Black Nickel Round Bend Hooks l Running Depth: 5 ft. to 6 ft. l Technique: Casting l Patent Pending Action

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

The Shadow Rap Shad tracks up to 1 meter under the surface, with the Shadow Rap Shad Deep diving to depths of 1.8 meters. Each model weighs in at

approximately 10g and measures a slim 9cm in length. All Shadow Rap lures come fitted with super sharp VMC black nickel hooks.

Learn what all the hype is about at www.rapala.fishing where you can view these lures in action.

29

WILLEM STOLK: A NEVER ENDING STORY

WILLEM STOLK: A NEVER ENDING STORY

PAST, PRESENT &

FUTURE Shimano’s fishing guru WILLEM STOLK has always seen fishing as a never ending story ... an adventure where humans compete with nature and an experience to be shared with friends, past and present

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM 31

WILLEM STOLK: A NEVER ENDING STORY

It’s a funny old game... Willem with famous Dutch comedian, Jochem Myjer

How time flies… It’s already the third year of the World Predator Classic in Hellevoetsluis. I can’t wait to join in again, and meet up with all of the passionate people that I will meet there. If I think about it before I go to bed I just can’t get to sleep with the excitement!

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Flash back

32

Last year we practised a little less than we did the year before. Naturally we fish a lot, but too much in the same area which can be confusing.

The water at Hellevoetsluis is so big, the predator fish move about a lot. Last year we won our zone on the first day, which put us in the lead! All went well and the pike, perch and zander were easy to catch. So after the first day we enjoyed this victory, but with two more days to go everything could change.

The second day we had some good spots that brought us plenty of fish during several sessions. Sadly though this day didn’t go as we had hoped. We lost several fish and losing fish during a event like this is not good!

We like to fish in tough conditions – ideally we like wind – but the second day there was almost no wind at all. So day two was hard for us and didn’t bring in the results we wanted.

Day three was windy again and we went to our favourite spots. Zander and pike were no problem, but we needed to catch a few more perch. Also, taking pictures and sending them wasn’t working – some stress popped up.

We managed to catch a perch and we were on a spot with more of them. Time flies during these days and it passed like the wind.

Results Again we learned a lot during the competition and enjoyed all the special moments with others.

The results could have been better, but we won our zone, caught the biggest zander and came second in the team event as Team Shimano, so not that bad really. Casting in the weeds is great fun and hard work, but fishing under pressure is one of a kind and we love doing it!

WPC 2016 Together with my friend, Jochem Myjer – a very famous Dutch comedian – we will fish

We love to make a story out of every fishing day .. watching all the nature and loving it. Both of us have already had some sleepless nights with the excitement.

‘‘

the World Predator Classic 2016.

In 2015 we won the National title NKS River for the 5th time. We both enjoy to fish when the going is hard, casting for hours without a bite and still be focussed.

We love to make a story out of every fishing day, watching all the nature and loving it. Both of us have already had some sleepless nights with the excitement. We have dreamed about all kinds of huge fish and the adventures we will have. So fishing together is also a prize for us.

During the matches last year we slept in our rooftent on top of the car. We sniffed the water and watched the skies. We saw birds and other animals and all of this, to get into the right mindset. We invest loads of time together in different circumstances.

For sure, we will go out there and check new spots. We will fish with all kind of lures and techniques. As for us, fishing is a never ending story. The only way to cross the river, is to cross it. Do our thing …

We are proud to join World Predator Classic 2016! See you all soon n

willelm stolk

Gone but not forgotten ..

Every day is one to live… All of us are passionate anglers and next to that we are human. Without each other there is nothing to share.

Every day we live in a world that is changing and history teaches us that we just have a little time to enjoy all the good –and undergo the difficult moments of life.

Fishing is a never ending story. It is more than sitting on a chair waiting that a fish jump on the bank or in our boats. It’s a complete adventure and together we enjoy participating in World Predator Classic.

Humans against each other and nature. And often nature is stronger.

Jan Porter was my friend for almost 20 years. A special human that lived his live as it comes. Like in most people’s lives, there were moments of joy and sadness. Like we say in Holland “elk huisje heeft zijn kruisje” (Every house has a skeleton in the cupboard). And yes, Jan was sick for a long time and never complained about it. He was positive all the time. Respect for people and nature.

Sending good vibes. Creative mind. Skillful fisherman. Great friend, father and husband.

Life is nothing more than eating time.

Time is life. The clock is ticking and every past second is history. We are nothing more

Stage presence... perch like this could take Jochem and Willem to the podium finish

than water in a lake. We are part of nature and when the time comes, part of history, and history is time that once was life.

That’s why I learnt that time is precious.

I still enjoy the moments I had with Jan, together we laughed and cried. We were connected all the time – even when we were not together.

At the end Jan lost the battle against nature. Now he is part of nature. So, he is at a good place. Like I always say to my friend Jochem, Jan is sitting in our boat., and yes, during WPC he will be there with us for sure.

We have a chair ready for him…

It would be nice if all of you give one second of your time to Jan – to remember him as a great human and pensioned fisherman.

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Take a seat ... Jan will always be present in our hearts and will be sitting in our boat

33

10.00- 17.00 Competitors Registration: l Boat and kayak (Droogdok) l Partners & Sponsors invited to set-up stands in sponsors arena Droogdok

Tuesday, June 28th n

09.00- 17.00 Competitors Registration: l Boat and kayak (Droogdok) l Partners & sponsors invited to setup stands structure only in sponsors arena

n 09.00 Invitational Boat briefing and packs given out (Droogdok) n 10.00- 12.30 Invitational Boat Competition Session 1(Marina) n 13.30- 15.00 Invitational Boat Competition Session 2 (Marina) n 16.00 Full event equipment packs to be returned to event HQ (Droogdok)

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

n 19.30 - Late Boat Pre-event reception party (Citta Romana)

34

Wednesday, June 29th n 19.00- 14.30 Competitors Registration: l Boat and kayak (Droogdok) n 14.30 - 14.30 Partners & sponsors briefing (Droogdok) n 16.00 - 16.30 Official Kayak Participants briefing (Droogdok) n 08.20 Boat and Kayak parade (Hellevoetsluis Canal) n

19.30 - 20.00 l Flag parade (Limani to Cannons) l Official picture (By cannons) l Official opening (By Cannons)

n 21.00 Competitors event preparation strategy time

Thursday, June 30th

n 07.00 Boat Checks: Daily event boat & kayak check commences (Marina) n 07.15 - 07.30 Daily Boat briefing (Droogdok) n

n

07.30 Start of competition for Kayaks from zone start line 07.45 Boats Zone B allowed to leave berth (Marina)

ITINERARY

n

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC

Monday, June 27th

This three-day battle will push the limits of anglers from all over the world ... but don’t panic, if it all gets too much, there’s always a good excuse for a party!

n 08.20 Boats Zone A allowed to leave berth (Marina) n 09.00 Start of Boat competition n 15.00 Daily end of Kayak competition and return – see Participant’s Pack (Droogdok) n 17.00 Daily end of boat competition and return - see participant’s pack (Marina Cape Helius) n 19.00 Street Fishing get-together (The Square) n 21.15: Results Daily results announcements (Droogdok)

Friday, July 1st n 07.00 Boat Checks: Daily event Boat & Kayak check commences (Marina Cape Helius) n 07.15 - 07.30 Daily Boat briefing (Droogdok)

World Predator Classic 2016: EVENT ITINERARY

n 07.30 Start of competition for Kayaks from zone start line

n 19.00 - 20.00 Street fishing question information desk (The Square)

n 08.00 Start of Boat competition from zone start line

n 07.45 Boats Zone B allowed to leave berth (Marina Cape Helius)

n 23.00 Street Fishing Party (The Square)

n 10.00 Start of Street fishing session 2 (The Square)

n 06.00 Boat Checks: Daily event boat & kayak check commences (Marina)

n 15.00 End of Street fishing Session 2 (The Square)

n 08.20 Boats Zone A allowed to leave berth (Marina Cape Helius) n 09.00 Start of Boat competition (Droogdok) n

n

09.15 Street Fishing registration (Droogdok) 09.30 Street Fishing side competitions (The Square)

n 15.00 Daily end of Kayak competition and return - see Participant’s Pack (Droogdok) n 15.00 -23.00 Street fishing Session 1 (The Square) n 17.00 Daily end of Boat competition and return – see Participant’s Pack (Marina)

Saturday, July 2nd

n 06.15 - 06.30 Daily Boat briefing (Droogdok) n 06.45 Boats Zone B allowed to leave berth (Marina) n 07.00 Daily Event Kayak Check commences (Marina) n 07.20 Boats Zone A allowed to leave berth (Marina) n 07.30 Start of competition for Kayaks from zone start line

n 10.30 - 15.00 Children’s Angling Academy (Droogdok)

n 15.00 Daily end of Kayak competition and return – see Participant’s Pack) (Droogdok) n 16.00 Daily end of Boat competition and return – see Participant’s Pack (Marina) n 17.00 - 20.00 It’s A Knock Out Street Fishing Competition (The Square) n 21.00 Prize Giving Giant prize giving for Boat, Kayak and Street fishing (Droogdok)

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC 2016: OFFICIAL PARTICIPANTS Finland

Netherlands WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-16 Willem Stolk Jochem Myjer Shimano

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-18 Jan Boomsma Chris Bloemert Shimano

WPC REF CAPTAIN

WPC16-30 Rutger Sellies VICE CAPTAIN Rocky Van

Duijvenvoorde SPONSOR Bass Boat Germany WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-32 Erwin Markwat Bart van de Walle BIWAA

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

WPC REF WPC16-34 CAPTAIN Hendrik-Jan Verheij VICE CAPTAIN Volkmar Strikkers

36

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-39 Debby De Kock Annick Rodiers RDK Baits

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-42 Evert Oostdam Leon Cramer Mercury

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-43 Chris Boxberger Marc Hoeben Citta Romana

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-44 Marcel Asbroek Nils Gabsa Reuben Heaton

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-48 Freek Oosterhuis Mirabel Nuis-Roobol Reuben Heaton

Belgium

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-11 Markku Tiusanen Antti Anttila Rapala

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-15 Petri Varis

Benjamin Castets Rapala

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-23 Mika Vornanen Peter Lahti Mercury

WPC REF WPC16-33 CAPTAIN Ari Paataja

VICE CAPTAIN Ville-Matti Blomqvist

Finland Qualifier

Hungary WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-46 Andras Forgo Attila Farkas Hiros Yacht

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-47 Zoltan Kemecsei Antal Csoka Hiros Yacht

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN

WPC16-01 Luc Coppens Jeremy Staverman

Defending Champions 2015

WPC REF WPC16-04 CAPTAIN Luc Van Litsenborg VICE CAPTAIN Tom Dieleman WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-22 Jean-Marc Brison Johnny Kindt Mercury

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-25 Robbie Smeets Gregor Pauly Mercury

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-26 Nicolas Boldo Gaellle Even Mercury

WPC REF WPC16-51 CAPTAIN Marcel Ulje VICE CAPTAIN Robert Fox WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-09 Peter Holtes Ad Vdstel Plano

Romania WPC REF CAPTAIN

WPC16-08 Constantin

Claudiu Tofan VICE CAPTAIN Andrei Georgescu

Latvia WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-06 Ugis Gross Guntis Riekstins Lucky John

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC 2016

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC 2016: OFFICIAL PARTICIPANTS England WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-19 Matt Boast Stuart Dexter Shimano

WPC REF WPC16-21 CAPTAIN Chris Leibrandt VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-35 Oliver Taylor

Christian Wieneke Mercury/Lowrance

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-38 Gary Palmer Hans Ruigrok Mercury/ Reuben Heaton

Sweden WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

Germany

Lithuania

WPC16-14 Mathias Holgersson Mikko Seppanen Rapala

WPC REF WPC16-40 CAPTAIN Andrev Pukstys VICE CAPTAIN Bagrat Sakian

Russia WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-13 Andrey Donskov Andrey Medvedev Rapala

Denmark WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-50 Henrik Larsen Claus Winther Olsen Wiley X

France WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-12 Arnaud Brière Laurent Vrignaud Rapala

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-20 Benoit Degraux Nancy Degraux Shimano

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-24 Christophe Huwarts Philippe Neuville Mercury

Poland WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-03 Tomasz Krysiak Robert Policha Dragon

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-10 Robert Taszarek Rafał Wasik VMC

WPC REF WPC16-52 CAPTAIN David Zawrin VICE CAPTAIN Arthur Bury

WPC REF WPC16-05 CAPTAIN Ulf Sturmer VICE CAPTAIN Robin Grompe SPONSOR WPC REF WPC16-07 CAPTAIN Frank Speichert VICE CAPTAIN Thomas Nadler SPONSOR

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-17 Dustin Schoene Johannes Dietel Shimano

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-27 Helmut Schoddel Enrico Di Ventura Bass Boat Germany

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-28 Darius Ostendarp Larysa Switlyk (USA) Bass Boat Germany

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-31 Roger Unsenos Jan Koll Bass Boat Germany

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-36 Thomas Schneller Jens Epe

SPRO

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-37 Markus Brill-Heck Gerrit Broders

SPRO

WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-41 Daniela Schäfer Pierre Johnen Lowrance

WPC REF WPC16-49 CAPTAIN Ralf Klement VICE CAPTAIN Bernd Kurkowski

Austria WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-29 Roman Konopitzky Oliver Hochrathner Bass Boat Germany

CZ Republic WPC REF CAPTAIN VICE CAPTAIN SPONSOR

WPC16-45 Radek Filip Martin Stepka Kajman

PARTICIPANTS

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

WPC QUALIFYING 2015: HERE COME THE THE FINS!

38

The Finns are mad about competing and that includes fishing. Ice fishing is the most popular, followed by coarse fishing and trolling.

‘‘

Lured by the press ...

Finnish Qualifying Event organiser Markku Tiusanen

It was this wide coverage and promotion from fishing magazines that led to a qualifying event for the WPC for the first time in Finland last year.

From the beginning the main ambition of the organizers, Markku Tiusanen and Antti Anttila, For some reason, in the past, lure fishing was to target the top fishermen of Finland. This competitions were not as popular in Finland even goal was reached very well, as plenty of fishing though the Finnish love lure fishing. In the last guides, fishing authors, and top fishermen were few years however, lure fishing competitions in among the competitors.

Finland have increased in their popularity.

The qualifying competition was held in There are a few reasons for this development. Tammisaari in a sheltered water area of Gulf of First of all, there are new competitions available Finland. Due to the size of the competition area which are organized as the C&R spirit. It appears and the amount of the berths of the competition that competitors don’t like competitions in which centre, the event was limited to 25 boats. And as the ranking is determined by who is able to weigh availability was limited, places were sold out very the heaviest bag of fish. In almost all new events, early on. the rules require catch and release so instead Even before the competition kicked off, there of achievable total catch weight, people are were plenty of competitors training for the event competing of the maximum length of the fish.

– clearly proving that they were willing to invest Another explanation for the increased the time to get along better. It was an exciting popularity of lure fishing competitions is the competition right to the end. Many of the boats increased coverage among the Finnish fishing had a chance to reach the podium – even the press. One could say that the World Predator centre place – up to the very last minute.

Classic is the brightest shining light of all The most challenging task was to catch competitions due to the huge exposure given by zander. Many were able to catch three perch and some of the largest of Finnish fishing magazines. a pike, but to be able to receive full points in your

SPOTLIGHT ON FINLAND Last year saw the first WPC Finnish Qualifying Event, but it took quite a bit of media support to lure the Fins in!

competition sheet, you also needed to deliver 3 zanders. Only one boat were able to catch caught all required fish – a team made up of Ari Paataja and Ville-Matti Blomqvist. They won the historical, first WPC qualifying competition by a 39 cm difference to the silver medallist team of Lasse Laukkarinen and Janne Helenius.

Third place was achieved by teammates Mika Vornanen and Peter Lahti.

As winners, Paataja & Blomqvist will now represent Finland at this year’s World Predator Classic. Blomqvist competed at the WPC last summer and Paataja has also experience and knowledge of the fishing area of Hellevoetsluis.

They will definitely be a tough team to beat.

For this year, the Finnish qualifying competition – World Predator Classic Qualifying Finland – has been expanded as an event of six

‘‘

provincial qualifying competitions and Grand Finale. From each provincial competition at least five best teams will be accepted into the Finale and the winning team will represent Finland in the 2017 World Predator Classic.

WPC Qualifying Finland has now drawn great attention among the Finnish fishing world, through magazines, TV, radio, trade fairs and social media, giving it the potential to grow and expand even more. In such a short period of time, WPC Qualifying Finland has definitely become the best lure fishing competition in Finland.

Sponsors are also now showing interest in the event since the media coverage of the competition has been unparalleled in visibility.

Competitors are creating specific and designated teams, which will adopt the new fishing technology in the first stage and this will have

Staging of the qualifying and Finale events in the different water areas will be less about local knowledge and more about fishing skills .. only the very best will make it to the WPC

a significant impact of the buying behaviour of regular fisherman and develop fishing going forward.

The support of the sponsors has played a huge part in the development the WCP Qualifying Finland. Not only has it allowed the events to expand without increasing the participation fees, but a great deal of useful and valuable tips have been offered to develop the competition further.

Sadly, not everyone was able to take part in the qualifying last summer, due to the limited amount of places. This year however, thanks to the provincial qualifying events, a large group of fishermen will now have the chance to test their fishing skills.

But it will be tough to reach the Grand Finale.

To succeed in the competition, you need to master the techniques used in perch, zander, and pike fishing. And staging of the qualifying and Finale events in the different water areas will be less about local knowledge and more about fishing skills, guaranteeing that only the very best competitors will make it to the WPC from the Finnish qualifications. n

Markku Tiusanen

your HEAD

We are delighted to welcome our new WPC Head Marshal Lars Bood who will take over Andy Chambers’ role and ensure the success and safety of the 2016 event

HEAD MARSHALL: LARS BOOD

MARSHAL

meet YOUR NEW WPC MARSHAL: LARS BOOD

‘‘

I’m looking forward to stepping up to the role of Head Marshal this year at Hellevoetsluis. I have many years experience with Angling Spirit and have a keen interest in predator fishing from my boat in the Netherlands.

Fishing, boats and water have always played an important role in my life. I learnt to swim before I could walk. My school life was spent at a college for sea fishing. I used to haul nets and be on the rods. I guess my love of water comes from my dad who was in the Dutch Navy.

After leaving school I joined the Marines, I’ve also been a bouncer for 20 years, so don’t even think about breaking the rules or cheating!

I know Hellevoetsluis well and it’s a fantastic venue for a fantastic event. With boats, kayaks and street fishing all happening at the same time, it gives a real buzz to the town. Hellevoetsluis is known as the ‘Dutch Angling Capital’ has some amazing water, as is home to many huge perch, pike and zander, and boasts everything for the predator angler. Don’t forget to visit the local tackle shop too, they have moved to new premises this year and have a much bigger range.

Be warned though, don’t ask for tips, they’re competing in the boat event too.

It is my goal to ensure that this is a fair and safe competition, my team of marshals and myself are here to support you all as well as ensuring that you are not breaking the rules. Without the marshals this event could not run, so a big thank you to them from myself and the rest of the team.

I’m sure as competitors you will also thank them.

As Head Marshal, one of my main tasks is to ensure that the rules of the event are correctly followed by all of the competitors. I will not apologise for that fact and they will be enforced strictly by myself and my team, to the letter of the law. All competitors are given a copy of the rules, so my advise is read them, read them and read them again. If you are not sure of anything ask us at the Captain’s meeting. Myself and the team will not accept not understanding them as an excuse.

Another aspect of my role is your safety and the safety of others. First and probably the most important is the safety whilst afloat. The waters at Hellevoetsluis can get very rough and very dangerous, very quickly. Your boat must be unto the job and have ALL of the correct safety equipment.This is be checked every morning before the competition starts. You will not be allowed to leave the marina unless everything is present.

Be Prepared! n One or more paddles or oars. n Appropriate anchor which is secured to your boat with a minimum of 30m rope. n A foghorn or acoustic warning device.

Safe and sound: The marshals will check your boat safety equipment every morning, so make sure you have everything required and on show

Andy’s new Role of honour ..

We are delighted to announce that Andy Chambers is moving into the role of Ambassador for Angling Spirit.

Andy has helped us to develop our fishing competitions over the years and his input has been invaluable, from logistics and lake mapping through to the rules and regulations of the competitions. He has worked tirelessly at the events as Head Marshal, overseeing at times more than 150 fishing pairs and 30 Marshals. During this time he has supported us on the World Catfish Classic, World Carp Classic, for nine years and past year the new World Carp Classic Junior event. Also last year he acted as the Head Marshalled for the World Predator Classic.

With Andy’s passion and amazing knowledge of all types of fishing he will continue to offer us guidance and support over the coming years. We are really excited about the growth in our business both in Predator and Carp fishing and Andy’s continued help will really help us to develop further and further.

Andy is a truly international angler having visited many countries and even more lakes. Mainly concentrating on carp fishing he also contributes to various fishing magazines and has written his own book. Andy is very well respected in the carp angling circle. I was reminded of this recently when some of his marshal team at the World Carp Classic Junior event went up to him and asked for his autograph. Good luck to Andy Chambers on his new role within Angling Spirit. n A bailer or manually operated water pump. n An approved dry-chemical fire extinguisher. n An emergency ignition shut off device. n A towing rope with a pull strength of 500Kg+ and a fixed tow ring. n 10 litres of spare fuel. n A first aid kit. n 2 litres of fresh drinking water. n Sun protection, lotion, cap or hat etc. n Life jackets to the correct CE standard for each angler.

Penalties Just a small reminder I have given more yellow cards for safety equipment than for anything else.

The system for penalties is as follows, there will be 2 yellow cards issued before a final 3rd yellow card leads straight to a red card and disqualification. i really hope this will not happen, but I am prepared to send someone home if need be. So with a 3 yellow card rule there will be NO warnings, you will be carded straight away even if you are only 1 knot above the speed limit, or 1 meter inside a no fish zone! One other thing to remember, receive 2 yellow cards and your 2 largest fish for that particular day will also be disqualified. So please remember it is in your interest to collect any yellow cards from myself or my marshals.

Cheating Cheating is something I will not stand for, so be

warned, I will be watching very closely, I will be doing spot checks and boarding boats, as will my team of marshals to ensure that fish wells are not being used. It does go without saying that if I find anyone cheating they will be immediately banned from the competition and publicly named and shamed in the angling press.

Picture perfect Something that is very important is the photographing of the fish and the phone app.

Looking at the results for the last couple of years it is very apparent that there is a large variation in the quality of the pictures taken using the app.

It is strange that competitors invest so much into this event and yet seem to take so little time to ensure that the picture with the measuring board is of good quality. Just take a little more time to ensure the picture is composed correctly, that you are not taking the picture into the sun, that both the head and tail are visible and the the accurate length of the fish can be seen and any security tags are visible. Just one mistake could mean that your fish is disqualified! Don’t forget you don’t have to submit the first picture taken, you can try again.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all competitors an enjoyable few days in Hellevoetsluis at the World Predator Classic.

Please remember to respect the waters, respect each other and respect your marshals. Oh and please go and read the rules once more. n

Wrong: Both head and tail must be fully shown in picture

Very wrong: Treat the fish with respect ... there should be no blood

Right: It’s not that difficult!

41

SHIMANO

THE REEL DEAL: INTRODUCING SHIMANO’S NEW STRADIC The perfect reel for modern predator fishing utilising Shimano’s very latest technology making fishing more efficient, enjoyable and ultimately more successful Part of the Shimano QUICKRESPONSE series, the new Stradic is one of the lightest reels Shimano has ever made.

The 1000 size weighs only 160g, making it the perfect partner for the latest lightweight rods designed for drop shot, finesse and street fishing.

Fitted with a redesigned Magnumlite rotor and Hagane Gear, the ultra light rotation of the Stradic CI4+ gives you ultimate control of lures when enticing fish to strike. And once hooked the Hagane Gear combined with X-Ship technology produces power and strength to control even the largest predators.

Should you need to adjust the drag whilst fighting a fish, the new wide drag knob at the front of the spool is simple and easy to use.

The Stradic CI4+ FB is available in eight models from the ultra light 1000 model for finesse fishing, up to the 4000 size for more general lure fishing with larger shads and wobblers, where casting is often required.

All model sizes come with two gear ratio options (standard and fast retrieve) to suit your personal preference.

The new Stradic CI4+ FB - the perfect choice for the modern predator angler.

Features: l Magnumlite rotor made from ultra-light CI4+ provides ultra light rotation for precise control l Shimano’s X-Ship gearing provides high efficiency winding and outstanding smoothness

l Advanced line-lay creates ultra smooth line profile l Wider spool creates smoother drag performance, especially at low pressure

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

l With an AR-C Spool you get tighter line flow reducing backlash at first guide

43

CHOICE OF CHAMPIONS: PROUD EVENT PARTNER WILEY X Sometimes just wearing polarised sunglasses isn’t enough.Your experience and your eyes can be damaged by dust, wind and peripheral light. Luckily Wiley X has a patented system to protect you.

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

It’s a global patent that ensures Wiley X stands out from the crowd. The company takes eyewear protection very seriously, because your eyes are probably your most important tool when you head out for a day’s fishing.

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Whether it’s spotting fish or areas that might hold fish, protecting your eyes from UV rays or ensuring you can concentrate through long periods – keeping your eyes healthy and free from fatigue is a key advantage when fishing.

Wiley X is well known for offering eyewear that can protect your eyes from fatigue and damage, thanks to the many key innovations it has brought to the market. One example is its patented Facial Cavity™ Seal – a removable gasket that blocks out wind, dust particles, pollen and, perhaps most importantly for fishing, peripheral light. The system is so much more just another fancy feature, it will genuinely improve fishing for all anglers. Light from the top, bottom and sides is completely blocked out so that polarized features of the lenses are not compromised. When you are out on the water you want to be 100% sure that you are using the right gear to help you get the most out of your fishing. As winners of both 2014 and 2015 World Predator Classic tournaments, Jeremy Staverman and Luc Coppens, can testify: “Wearing Wiley X eyewear definitely gave us a distinct advantage in the World Predator Classic in 2015. We are very pleased with the quality of the Wiley X premium eyewear. When you wear Wiley X in dull or highlight conditions the eyewear reduces the glare on the water, while enhancing the dark parts, which is key for us. The eyewear is simply incredible. Wearing Wiley X polarized eyewear has improved our fishing results. Fish following the lures but not striking are now easily spotted. Knowing that we are in the right spot, we can try a different approach – often with greater results. With our former standard polarized eyewear we would have left the spot thinking the fish weren’t there.

The high quality of the Wiley X polarized filter gives us maximum visibility in the depth of the water as well as a greater water view in general. The Wiley X protective eyewear makes us feel secure while casting (lead) jigheads.

Too often the lead shoots out of the water after pulling out from a snag. Now we know we are safe. The new yellow lenses are a real breakthrough for us when fishing in low light conditions. Now we see more fish and action using the yellow lenses.”

Testament to the strength and durability

WHY

Simple.. just ask the

of Wiley X glasses is the fact that some models meet or pass the US Military’s ballistics tests for impact, which are renowned as the most stringent in the world. Wiley X carries more than 36 polarized fishing eyewear models and all are mounted with what is described as the best polarized filter on the market. They are made of Selenite™ polycarbonate with the polarized filter placed in the centre of the lens to ensure it remains untouched and undamaged while they are being worn or cleaned. The entire range is made with a wraparound fitting to eliminate back and side light.

The reputation of Wiley X as one of – if not the – safest and most durable protective eyewear on the planet is clearly catching on.

With our former standard polarized eyewear we would have left the spot thinking the fish weren’t there

‘‘

Trophy in sight..

Another angler who puts his trust in Wiley X and its outstanding polarized eyewear is 2016 Bassmaster Classic champion Edwin Evers. Spotting fish and being able to see your lure clearly is a huge part of being able to win a competition as fierce as the Bassmaster Classic and Edwin can attribute his enhanced vision down to his Wiley X Gravity glasses.

The key, according to Evers, was spotting logs that were holding bass well ahead of the boat.

“As always, my Wiley X sunglasses were a huge part of my win,” he said. “The distance I was seeing the logs from was crucial to getting the fish to bite.

They were very spooky, so keeping my distance was really important.”

WILEY X? World Predator 2015 Champions!

Clear as day..

Wiley’s patented Facial Cavity™ Seal blocks out wind, dust particles and pollen as you can cleary see in this demonstration (left)

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WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

STREET FIGHTERS

World Predator Classic: STREETFISHING OPEN 2016

After two very successful years, the WPC Streetfishing Competition has captured the interest of an increasing amount of anglers and fishing industries alike. In order to adapt to it’s popularity, Organiser Ralph De Kock explains how the tournament has developed for this year and the addition of a new exciting Streetfishing event

‘‘

I started organising Streetfishing events in 2010. In the beginning I mostly had to explain what Streetfishing is.

I can remember all the conversations with associations, other fishermen, magazines and tackle shops that they would be surprised to know how much predator fish can be caught in the canals and marinas in The Netherlands. Once they saw how many fish were caught and how delicate the technique is, all of them were convinced that this could be a fast growing market in fishing.

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World Predator Classic: STREETFISHING OPEN 2016

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As Hellevoetsluis is my hometown I know that it’s better to fish at dusk and night. So to raise the chance of catching a nice number of fish we decided to fish in the evening

‘‘

Nowadays almost all brands have developed special lures and terminal tackle for this kind of fishing and tackle shops have allocated a special department for Streetfishing.

The first edition of WPC Streetfishing in 2014 was an international list of over 70 competitors and was very successful. That’s the reason why there we over 160 competitors in the second edition of the WPC Streetfishing. We even had some competitors all the way from Japan!

So for this year we have a maximum of 200 competitors. In the first two years there were very little fish caught because of the high temperature during this period in June. To raise the chance of catching a nice number of fish we decided to fish in the evening and night.

As Hellevoetsluis is my hometown I know that it’s better to fish at dusk and night. So the WPC Streetfishing 2016 is fished over two days; Friday evening from 16:00 till 23:00 and one day session on Saturday from 10:00 till 15:00. I expect a lot of the Friday evening session. The predator fish, especially zander, will be more active during this session. You might even need to change your tactics. Find out what the hotspots will be during the feeding hours of the zander during this session and you can have a

good chance of finishing in the top 10. If you fish with good results on Saturday you may get the title “Champion World Predator Classic Streetfishing 2016”! So the results of the Friday and Saturday sessions will determine who will be the new Champ!

But there will be an additional event: WPC Streetfishing Knock-Out! This WPC Streetfishing Knock-Out will start at 16:00 on Saturday. Immediately after the second session on Saturday, all competitors will be split up in two groups. Both groups will go out fishing and the group that catches the most fish in a specific time frame is in the next round. The other group (which caught less fish) is on the side to encourage the group that’s in the next round. The winning group will be split up in two groups again and go out fishing again.

Again the group that catches the most fish is in next round again……etc., etc. At the end there will be a small group of Streetfishermen left.

They will fish the WPC Streetfishing Knock-Out Final surrounded by a big audience! The winner of this final wins a trophy and some nice prizes!

See you all in June 2016. Tight lines! n

RALPH DE KOCK

World Predator Classic: STREETFISHING OPEN 2016

It’s a knock-out!

In addition to the WPC Streetfishing Event, there will be a new Knock-Out competition with top prizes ... here’s how it works How it works

The Rounds

Saturday 2nd of July at 15:00: all competitors of the main Street Fishing event will finish at the square near the terrace.

Then all the competitors will take part in a side Street Fishing event called: WPC Knockout Streetfishing.

The total group of competitors is divided in two groups. Each group goes out fishing and the group that catches the first specific number of fish is in the next round. The other group is finished and become spectators for the next group. The winning group is then divided in two groups again and goes out fishing. This will be repeated until the winning group is smaller than 14 anglers. These 13 (or less) anglers will fish the final of the WPC Knock-out Streetfishing!

During the final each finalist fishes as an individual. The one that catches the most fish is the winner of the WPC Street fishing Knockout!

The first round starts at 16:00.

All competitors are free to go out fishing in the same arena as the main Street Fishing event.

Every round is 30 minutes.

All competitors need to be at start/finish when the 30 minutes are ended. When a fish is caught by a competitor he/she needs to take a picture of the fish on the official WPC Street Fishing ruler together with their coloured card.

This picture is placed instantly on the official World Predator Classic Streetfishing Facebook account. Only pictures of fish that are placed on this Facebook account within the timeframe of the round will determine which group is the winner of the specific round. The group with the most points is the winner of this round. When both groups score the same number of points the groups that has caught the biggest fish in this round will be the winner of the round and goes to the next round. When there’s no fish caught in a round there will be a Cast-Off. Only 3 members of each group need to do a technical precision cast. The group of the member that makes the most precise cast is in the next round. This Cast-Off is at the same location as where start and finish is located: near the terraces.

All members of the winning group need to get their new coloured card at the officials/refs as soon as it is clear which group is the winner.

Only when they have their new coloured card they a can fish the next round.

Dividing groups: When the competitors handover their scorecards at the finish of the main StreetFishing event they will get handed a coloured card. This card is their starting ticket for the first round of the WPC SF Knock-out.

The cards that will be handed out have two colours. Colour 1 is group 1 of the first round and colour 2 is group 2 of the first round. The officials hand out the first coloured card and then hand out the second coloured cards.

When a round is finished we know which group has won and the colour of the card they have. The winning group hands over their coloured card of the previous round and in return they will get a new coloured card (2 new colours) handed out by the officials. These new cards also are available in two new colours.

Street Fishing Zones

If there is no winner of a round or final there will be a Cast-Off. During this Cast-Off each can make two precision casts to an object. This cast has to be made with their own rod and a lure that they can pick themselves. Once a person has made his/her first cast the distance between the object and lure is measured.

Than the next person makes his cast. After everybody has made their first cast the second cast can start. The person who has the closed cast is the winner of the Cast-Off.

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The group that wins the last round is in the final. The final is being fished as an individual.

The one with the most points wins the WPC Knock-out Streetfishing 2016!

If there are two or more finalists with the same number of points the finalist who caught the biggest fish is the winner. If there’s no fish caught in the final a Cast-Off (same as written before) will decides who is the winner.

Cast-Off: Esplanade

edijk Ze

The Final

Perch under 22 cm Perch above 22 cm Zander under 42 cm Zander above 42 cm Pike under 45 cm Pike above 45 cm Asp (every size)

1 Point 5 Points 3 Points 10 Points 5 Points 20 Points 5 Points

MICHAEL BONGERS: STREETFISHING CHAMPION 2015

a basic instinct New to the Streetfishing scene, MICHAEL BONGERS entered the event purely to make up the numbers and with little expectation of winning.

But with belief in his own gut instinct he managed to secure the title of Streetfishing Champion 2015!

‘‘

I started with fishing when I was a little child when my dad introduced me to it. After my parents broke up, I took a break for over 15 years.

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

After this period, my new girlfriend, now wife, asked me if I wanted to go fishing with her Dad. I only said yes to do her a favour. I could not have imagined how this decision would change my future.

After catching my first carp with her dad, there was a fishing fever in me I could not heal. For at least over 8 years now I’ve been ‘hooked’.

Soon I realised that ‘sit and wait’ for the fish was not for me. I read a lot of fishing magazines and tried to learn everything from the internet about fishing. So I became interested in predator fishing and it has become a big part of my life. Since then I fish for every kind of fish that is possible to catch with articulated lures but my favourite fish is still the zander.

I meet a lot of new and nice people at the water and on the internet to talk about fishing. One of these people was Sebastian who won the World Predator Classic Kayak event 2014. That was when I first heard about the WPC but I didn’t think about participating in events like this.

David, a friend of mine I go fishing with, asked me in March 2015 if I wanted to participate with him and two other friends of his. They needed a fourth guy to complete a second team. I didn’t have to think about it, it seemed a great idea to me.

So myself and Andre, a nice and passionate guy I had not known before, signed in as the team ‘Hells Anglers’. We both only wanted to have a good time and try to do our very best but we did not believe for one minute that one of us had the chance to win.

After studying the WPC rules I was not really happy about fishing with a randomly coupled second team. I couldn’t imagine how this could have been any great luck for me.

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MICHAEL BONGERS: STREETFISHING CHAMPION 2015

Patrick, have formed the team ‘Tock-Sick’.

Our first competition as team ‘Tock-Sick’ was the Gunki Iron Tournament and the story goes on ... after 24 hours of fishing, Christian, Martin and I finished the tournament in third place. We had a great time together, a lot of fun and a very good placement in the tournament. What else could you hope for?

We also participated in Open Street Amsterdam, with no result, but a very nice fishing day under best weather conditions in Amsterdam – we had a great time in this beautiful city and we hope that we will catch some fish next time.

Finally, I hope that 2016 will once again bring us all a great time together and a lot of big fish. To all the competitors of the World Predator Classic 2016 I have one thing to say: Try to have as much fun as possible, stay friendly to everyone and be focused on fishing. It’s not that important to win this event if you enjoy yourself and have a good time. Tight Lines! n

‘‘

I heard a lot and read a lot before the tournament started – but my best idea came just before the start ... Fish what you believe in!

MICHAEL BONGERS Streetfishing Champion 2015

Proud moment ... Michael Bongers accepting his 1st place Street Fishing trophy

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Although my family lives close to the border of the Netherlands, the WPC was my first time fishing there, first time Streetfishing and my first fishing competition.

I heard a lot and read a lot, so I had made up my mind before the tournament started – what kind of tackle would be useful, which lures will I need and what kind of tactics would be the best.

I really wasted a lot of my time with it, but now I can say my best idea came to me just before the tournament started ... “Fish what you believe in!”

So I packed all the tackle and lures I would use in my home waters. It seems that this was not a bad decision.

The tournament day came and we were going to Hellevoetsluis. It was a beautiful day with great weather conditions. Andre and I met our coupled team and these guys were really nice so we worked together as one big team, not like two rival teams. I thought that this was the most important part of winning this competition.

Thanks again to Christian Rakowski and Carsten Strobel, without you both we could never have won this.

After a very hard day of fishing with only two pike for me and many fish for my friends, we heard that this was looking very good for me, but we could not imagine that it really could happen.

We were all very excited when we heard the results – there was really no kind of rivalry between us. Sometimes I had the feeling that they were happier than I was. It was really hard for me to realize what had just happened, but a few days later it hit me that I was the winner of the WPC Streetfishing Event 2015!

I want to thank everybody who made this event to what it is and let me be a part of it. It was a great pleasure and honour to win this wonderful event. Not less important was that we all had a very good time together.

After the WPC Carsten, Christian and I stayed in touch and talked about building a new fishing team. We all thought that this was a good idea and now, along with two other guys, Martin, and

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STREETFISHING

PARTICIPANTS Poland

Netherlands REF NAME

011 022 023 033 034 037 038 047 070 074 079 082 085 086

SPONSOR

Anthony Smit Marcel van Oudheusden Peter Nebbeling Willem Boersma Robert Fox Dennis Horvath Dominique Kleijwegt Harry de Haan Lowrance Rik bekema Torben Kleiterp SHIMANO Arhur Langstraat SHIMANO Ulbe Postma Sander Bravenboer Raymond van hulst

098 Mirabel Nuis Hengel

De Catfish sportwinkel 201 Nick Manintveld Hengel

De Catfish sportwinkel 100 Adrian Pron

122 Daud Kalschoven Flambeau UK 123 Jeffrey Kalschoven Flambeau NL 177 Jan Groeneveld 202 Tino Vollus SHIMANO

TEAM

REF NAME

Iron Claw1 Team Vlaardingen Team Vlaardingen

050 Radosław Witólski Daiwa Wkra Fishing Squad 1 051 Kamil Piekut Wkra Fishing Squad 1 052 Mateusz Kucinski Daiwa Wkra Fishing Squad 2 053 Sebastian Romanowski Wkra Fishing Squad 2 054 Jan Pisarski Crazy Fishermen 055 Paweł Jaworski Crazy Fishermen 058 Krzysztof Dabkowski Crazy Fishermen 2 059 Leszek Kotwinski Crazy Fishermen 2 089 Piotr Stopczynski 090 Joanna Stopczynska 091 Karol Wójcik 092 Robert Szczepanski 117 Tomasz Nierada Chiller Squad 118 Sandra Nierada Barylska Chiller Squad 119 Adam Grzelec 126 Piotr Guza Crazy Fishermen 3 127 Robert Majchrowicz Crazy Fishermen 3 128 Ireneusz Podugorni ADHD Squad 129 Krystian Pawlak ADHD Squad 172 Darek Skepski Daiwa Team Daiwa 173 Maciek Wozniak Team Daiwa 174 Adam Jarmolowicz Amigo Fishing Team 175 Pawel Nowek Amigo Fishing Team 176 Grzegorz Jagodzinski Amigo Fishing Team 2 184 Krzysztof Urba Amigo Fishing Team 2 193 Sławomir Pagas Amigo Fishing Team 3 194 Sebastian Chomiak Amigo Fishing Team 3

Next Level Sf Next Level Sf

Shimamo Shimano Spug Spug Streetfish Catfish Streetfish Catfish next level fishing next level fishing Shimano 2

England

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REF NAME

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060 071 081 095 130 131 132 133 134 135 137 138 139 195 196 197 198

SPONSOR

Richard Haines Mike McGuire Virginijus Ruksnaitis Adam Randall Adrian Walker Stu Johnson Christian Jones Steve Collett Daniel Fumagalli Joseph Cummins Jamie Willetts Carl Arcus Jamie Potts Tadas Gradzevicius Raimondas Kalinauskas Tom Britton Wayne Mcdowell

TEAM

SPONSOR

TEAM

Belgium REF NAME

SPONSOR

180 Scheelen Mario 199 Tomczuk Włodzimierz 200 Marcin Rózycki

TEAM

Phenix Team Phenix Team

Latvia REF NAME

SPONSOR

TEAM

056 Gatis Malmeisters SHUK SHUK

France REF NAME

The Reel Deal The Reel Deal

SPONSOR

TEAM

043 Timo Lauther Sportex.de Black Forest Bass 044 Ralf Ibach Sportex.de Black Forest Bass 088 Stephane Morisset

Official WPC Streetfishing rules n Streetfishing is CPR (Catch Photo Release) and every fish caught must be handled with care. n You must fish with artificial lures only and flyfishing is not allowed. n Competitors will be coupled randomly but each competitor fishes for himself. A scorecard for each competitor is held by the other competitor. n You may have two rods, but you may not fish them both at the same time and you must not fish two or more lures at one rod.

n Couples need to be together during the time of fishing and must keep an appropriate distance between eachother. n Always contact a referee if there are any disputes or problems (phone number is on the scorecards). n The length of the fish in cm (if bigger than the legal size) is the number of points the fisherman will get. If the length of the fish is smaller than the legal size it’s worth 5 points.

There is a quotum of 15 perch: 10 zander; 10 asp and there is a quotum of 5 pieces of other fish caught.

n There is NO quotum for pike. If the number of fish with a quotum (zander and perch) is more than the quotum number then the fish caught above the quotum is 1 point per fish (also if its more than the legal size).

Example: 20 perch of 25 cm are caught. Total points (15 x 25) + (5 x 1) = 380 points. The competitor who has most points wins the event. n All legal size fish need to be photographed with the fisherman and his scorecard.

Legal length: Perch 22cm; zander 42 cm; pike 45 cm; asp 0 cm; ide 30

cm; ruffe 0 cm; trout 25 cm; catfish 0 cm; seatrout 40 cm. Fish that fall on the ground is 0 points. n Fish must be alive when they are released. n The score of a undersize fish can be written on the scorecard by the other competitor of the couple. The score of a legal size fish needs to be written on the scorecard by a referee. n No alcohol and/or drugs n No fishing during lunch. n It’s not allowed to walk on boats n Respect the property of others n Do not fish outside the marked track

Germany

Germany REF NAME

SPONSOR

TEAM

SPONSOR

TEAM

108 Wladimir Dwining 109 Fabian Grafe The Tackle Fanatics 110 Sebastian Ebert The Tackle Fanatics 111 Eric Struck SPRO 112 Sebastian Latocha SPRO SPRO Germany 1 113 Daniel Gaedeke SPRO SPRO Germany 2 114 Christian Felkel SPRO SPRO Germany 2 115 Bjoern Hengst SPRO SPRO Germany 3 116 Jan Schoofs SPRO SPRO Germany 3 120 Fabian Buermann Trick Theft`s 121 Daniel Brunig Fishing Connection 124 Björn Harich Rockin Fishs 125 Patrick Kiefer Rockin Fishs 136 Alexey Astashin 140 Raphael Matschullat Big Fish Os 141 Oliver Birkemeyer Big Fish Os 142 Tobias Brenneken BungaBunga 143 Torsten Rühl BungaBunga 144 Andreas Ruf Basstards 145 Eduard Orth Basstards 146 Lars Hubach Bass Pro Germany 2 147 Vassili Papanikos Bass Pro Germany 2 148 Simon Kratzer Bass Pro Germany 1 149 Moritz Schulte Bass Pro Germany 1 150 Claudio Eichler Lurenatic 151 Henrik Haack

Lurenatic 152 David Brückner 153 Marvin Henk 154 Heister Bon Jaralve Simply Fishing Berlin 154 Christopher Duxa Simply Fishing Berlin 156 Patrick Marrable

The Fanatics 157 Steffen Rolle 158 Friedrich Rößler Lurenatic 2 159 Alexander Schmidt Lurenatic 2 160 Marcel Tahn Team Sportex 161 Alexander Neuhaus Team Sportex 162 Sascha Waldi

Angelsport Waldi 1 163 Tobias Allgeier Angelsport Waldi 1 164 Kai Waldi Angelsport Waldi 2 165 Tobias Haller

Angelsport Waldi 2 166 Thorsten Mayer Bass Secret Agent’s 167 Sebastian Wache Bass Secret Agent’s 168 Karlheinz Knebel Angelsport Waldi Dreamcatcher 169 TBA Angelsport Waldi Dreamcatcher 170 Tobias Wabersky tacklecheck 171 Bodo Fletemeier

tacklecheck 178 Pascal Wessel

Hamburger Royale 179 Florian Engelke Hamburger Royale 181 Marcus Murre

182 Oliver Reinz Novesia 183 Ralph Möhring Novesia 185 Eduard Kroos

Just-Fishing.eu 186 Waldemar Scheenko Just-Fishing.eu 187 Alexander Esch

Just-Fishing.eu 188 Alexandr Kondratenko Just-Fishing.eu 189 Heiko Sauther Wiley X Wiley X1 190 Daniel Fritz Wiley X Wiley X1 191 Jan Hildebrand Wiley X Wiley X2 192 Michael Niedrig Wiley X Wiley X2

Austria REF NAME

SPONSOR

103 Andrei Calinescu 104 Sabrina Zorn

TEAM

Fox Rage

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

001 Florian Woltemate The Fanatics 002 Michael Bernd Keil D´Town Fishing 003 Kevin Woidtke D´Town Fishing 004 Nikola Ivanovic 005 Philipp Barthelmess Angel-Abenteuer.de 006 Viktor Gersch Lake Bandits 007 Florian Postmeier Lake Bandits 008 Alexander Woitschischin Wanderers 009 Eduard Reicherd Wanderers 010 Dennis Siever Iron Claw Iron Claw1 012 Andreas Jäger Iron Claw Iron Claw2 013 Matthias Volk Iron Claw2 014 Wadim Fur Wanderers2 015 Andrii Yehorov Wanderers2 016 Thomas Mieruch Angelszene Magdeburg1 017 Christopher Jahn Angelszene Magdeburg1 018 Michelle Zanger Angelszene Magdeburg2 019 Marcel Wiebeck Angelszene Magdeburg2 020 Roman Wozniak DB Wohnen DB Savages 021 Mariusz Koprowski DB Savages 024 Frank Schaller Sabot 025 Gerhard Rollnik Sabot 026 Markus Geier Das Animalische Duo P.F.S. 027 Christian Hamster Das Animalische Duo P.F.S. 028 Mike Förster Jig’n’Roll 029 Dennis Kellputt Jig’n’Roll 030 Sven Eggeling Namikis 031 Martin Meyer

Namikis 032 Alexander Rentschler 035 Soren Schemaitat AREA45 036 Stephan Jaeger AREA45 039 David Miller Angelsport Grüppen 040 Daniel Schrovenwever Angelsport Grüppen 041 Oliver Reinhardt Father & son fishing 042 Laszlo von Würzen Father & son fishing 045 Philipp Aust

RKM700 046 Pascal Wassenberg RKM700 048 Kasper Patrick Tock-Sick 1 049 Christian Rakowski Tock-Sick 1 061 Michael Bongers (2015 Champ) Tock Sick 2 062 Martin Hoffman Tock Sick 2 063 Daniel Kaludzinski ZanderKalle softbaits 064 Stephan Kaludzinski ZanderKalle softbaits 065 Pascal Kyek Spro Germany 4 066 Matthew Hills SG 4 TBP 067 Joline Ehm TBP 068 Christopher Dommes GOOFY Fishing 069 Waldemar Lehman GOOFY Fishing 072 Valentyn Ledovskykh Flagman-Lilix 073 Vadim Metzger Flagman-Lilix 077 Richard Ruhnke VMC VMC 078 Nils Becker VMC VMC 080 Aljosha Fritzsche SHIMANO Shimano2 083 Andre Philippi Sauerländer Pike Hunters 087 Michael Steenbreker 084 Nadja Salmen Sauerländer Pike Hunters 093 Sebastian Soyk Klubb Kaputt 094 Andreas Skwarc Klubb Kaputt 096 Andreas Karp

Elbcoast-Hunters 097 Stephan Jaeger Elbcoast-Hunters 101 Heiko Sander

freaky-fish 102 Erik Dieckvoss freaky-fish 105 Waleri Dwining 106 Niclas Wester 107 Mark Picard

REF NAME

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World Predator Classic: Shimano’s double act

Geared up for action..

Arthur Langstraat (main picture) and Torben Kleiterp (above) are both specialists in their own field and willl prove to be a formidable duo at this year’s Streetfishing Open

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Shimano Europe is pleased to announce that Shimano’s Predator Street Fishing Team will participate at this year’s World Predator Classic Streetfishing Event – one of the biggest street fishing events in the world. Prostaff Arthur Langstraat and young Torben Kleiterp, both from the Netherlands, will fish together as team members.

Arthur: “Last year when I fished with Eric Korczakowski it didn’t work out so well. The tactics we had planned in 2015 had to be changed within two hours of fishing. We just couldn’t find any fish. Eric and I decided to fish for pike for the rest of the tournament, it was all or nothing! In a small canal, I managed to hook a nice pike but unfortunately it got off the hook. This loss ultimately cost us a place in the top 10. Eric caught two small perch but I didn’t have any more bites at all. Later, at the awards ceremony, it turns out that I was not the only one who didn’t catch anything.

124 competitors ended up without any fish… Eric ended at 29th place with his two small perch. Bad luck but the experience that I gained will now be used for this year.”

Shimano’s Street Fishing Pro, Arthur – a well-known member of Streetfishing Nederland – is a general predator angler but specializes in Ultra-Light street fishing and finesse techniques. Dropshot, Carolina and Texas rigs are no secrets to him.

Torben, the young all round predatorangler, will join him during the WPC street fishing tournament. Torben is a specialist in pike fishing, they complement each other well. Both are looking forward to representing Shimano at this great event!

Since April, the start of the Dutch closed season, they have had close contact via social media to discuss the techniques that they are going to use, and some meetings are also planned.

Torben: “we will not stay at a spot waiting for the fish to come. Arthur and I are planning to use the ‘hit and run’ method. Quick and mobile fishing on the suggested hot-spots, hopefully catching a few fish and then quickly moving on to the other spots.”

Arthur has also a clear strategy: With almost 200 competitors Torben and I can’t

PERFECT MATCH Shimano’s Prostaff Arthur Langstraat and young Torben Kleiterp will team up for this year’s WPC Streetfishing Event and believe that together they make a winning combination to take the 2016 Title

afford to lose too much unproductive time.

Our plan is to fish the canal during the night part and the harbors during the next day. With the new Shimano JDM series, we have the right tools to fish for the present predators. For each fishing discipline, we have the right rod / reel combination!

Baitcaster-rods and smooth Baitcaster reels will be used for perch and pike. Ultra-light rods with carbon Taftec tips, high sensitive carbon monogrip and Hagane reels for perch and zander. Also provided with the newest Rapala lures we’re both ready to take off. The premise is certainly clear: We will adjust our tactics to the circumstances

of the event with the aim to have as much fun and score as many points as possible.

The main target is to compete for the World Predator Classic Street Fishing 2016 Champions title.

I’m looking forward to the third edition of this event and really look forward to meeting the other competitors. If you’re interested in the materials and/or techniques Torben and I use, just ask us.

Let’s meet at the streets of Hellevoetsluis!

Official Boat Sponsor 2016

LOWRA

GUIDING THE WAY: WPC OFFICIAL SPONSOR LOWRANCE

Since 1957, Lowrance has never wavered

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

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Our aim is simple, to help you catch more fish – it’s something we’ve been doing for over 50 years, and that’s just one of the reasons Lowrance is the world’s best.

Cost, performance, innovation, design and build quality are a few other reasons, but there’s one thing all of our loyal customers will tell you, that nothing beats Lowrance for making sure you find fish – and that’s why they choose Lowrance.

Lowrance has been a leader in marine electronics since it invented the first consumer sonar device in 1957 – The Little Green Box. In the years since, Lowrance has never wavered from its purpose to push the envelope of innovative performance to help anglers find and catch more fish. Lowrance, got its start in Joplin, Missouri in 1957. Carl Lowrance, an avid fisherman with an inquisitive nature, shared his love of the sport with his two sons, Darrell and Arlen. Darrell and Arlen were among the first inland skin divers, and through this activity learned that most fish in any given body of water were generally found in schools and in specific areas.

It became obvious to the Lowrances that an instrument was needed to show fishermen where to concentrate their fishing efforts. They designed the world’s first high frequency transistorized sonar for sport fishing and boating with several Box of tricks.. one of the first graph recorders from 1974 and LCD Fishfinder, 1985 things in mind. It had to be portable, compact, lightweight, contain its own batteries and be relatively inexpensive. The advent of transistors into consumer electronics products was very important to the unit’s concept. In 1957 commercial sonar units were selling for more than $2000. The first Lowrance unit sold for less than $150.

A small manufacturer was selected to produce the first 2,000 units. Unfortunately, the manufacturer’s performance was less than satisfactory. In July 1958, a second firm was selected, but again the quality and quantity specified by Lowrance was never achieved.

In 1959, the family decided the only way to produce the instrument they wanted - with excellent quality and in quantities to satisfy the demand - was the LFG-300, rapidly sold alongside and eventually to manufacture it themselves. Their first move was replaced the Little Green Box. More and more effort to replace, at no charge, over 700 of the previously produced products. “We didn’t have a lot of money,” went into research and development.

The first graph recorder produced by the Carl said. “We acquired an old warehouse and company, the LRG-600, combined a flasher and a literally built a factory from scratch.” In November paper chart in one box and was swiftly followed by 1959 the company introduced the first “Little the first straight-line graph recorder, the LRG-1510.

Green Box” portable sonar unit. It became the most Soon, many boats had more than one sonar unit on popular sonar in the world. More than a million board. were produced between 1959 and 1984.

In 1979, Lowrance introduced the LDD-1800, The operation moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma the world’s first sonar unit guaranteed NOT to find in 1964, and manufacturing started in a rented fish. The LDD-1800 was one of the first digital depth building in January 1965. A tremendous amount sounders to be controlled by a tiny computer built of work was done by the Lowrance’s to promote, inside. It would show only the bottom depth in sell and advance the technology of their products. large digital numbers and required no controls. This Boats grew larger and more powerful. Higher was Lowrance’s first completely automatic depth speeds meant new transducer designs. This was sounder. when Lowrance introduced the first sonars and The early 80’s saw the introduction of the transducers capable of high-speed performance.

System 2000 line of flashers and the X-15 was also A new building was completed in 1971 and introduced. This computerized chart used a ten-key a large extension was added in future years. As keypad instead of a range knob. For the first time the company grew, it enhanced its reputation by fishermen could “dial-up” virtually any range. introducing new products to meet the changing Another astonishing feature was its capability to marketplace. Gimbal mount sonar units, especially

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It became obvious to the Lowrences that an instrument was needed to show fishermen where to concentrate their fishing

ANCE

from its purpose ... to help you catch more fish

Mapping the future..

Angler and innovator, Carl Lowrence in 1957, with one of the early Fish Lo-K-Tor units

GUIDING THE WAY: WPC OFFICIAL SPONSOR LOWRANCE

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Guiding hand.. 1996 saw the first hand-held aviation GPS, followed by the launch of the High Definition System (HDS) in 2008 (above)

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Lowrance introduced the industry’s first 12 channel hand held GPS in 1996 and the first hand held aviation GPS with full mapping capability was released

show separate targets that were as little as oneinch apart! No other sonar unit of any kind had these features.

Then came Lowrance’s first Liquid Crystal Graph (LCG), the X-3. Although it had only 83 vertical pixels (more than many of its competitors), it took the market by storm and was the beginning of a new era in Lowrance sonar. the ultimate paper graph recorder was introduced at around the same time - the legendary X-16. In 1987 the X-16 was selected by a team of scientists and explorers to be the sonar used in Operation Deepscan, an expedition to explore Loch Ness in Scotland.

In 1988, Lowrance diversified into the navigation market and introduced its first Loran-C products, the LMS-200 and LMS-300. Boasting wide LCD screens, these dual-purpose units had both a Loran-C receiver and sonar capabilities.

These were also the first units with menus, making it easy to select features and make adjustments.

Lowrance again increased its technological advantage in 1991 with the introduction of its first GPS receivers, incorporating Rockwell GPS technology. The GlobalMap 2000, the world’s first LCD product to offer integrated GPS, mapping and sonar capabilities gave anglers a great advantage.

In 1996 Lowrance introduced the industry’s first 12 channel hand held GPS sold for under $200. Also, the industry’s first hand held aviation GPS with full mapping capability was released.

Concurrent with the introduction of the mapping products, was the introduction of the innovative Inland Mapping System (IMS) cartridges, which offered detailed digitized mapping of most U.S. inland lakes and waterways. The IMS cartridge offering was expanded to include IMS SmartMap, IMS WorldMap and aviation cartridges.

A new series of hand held GPS mapping products, shipped with Lowrance’s breakthrough IMS MapCreate CD-ROM which includes all of Lowrance’s IMS SmartMaps, IMS WorldMaps, rural roads, coastal navigation aids and wrecks and obstructions data enabling the upload of customizable maps into the units was released in the late 90’s and in 2002 the LCX-16ci SONAR/ GPS combo was presented the prestigious “Best of Show” Award at ICAST 2000.

Currently, Lowrance offers the most complete range of sonar and GPS products available from any one manufacturer for nearly every fishing, boating and outdoor need.

Since the introduction of the first High

Definition System (HDS) Multifunction Display, Lowrance has launched a staggering number of new products and features that truly redefine marine electronics – such as the new Elite Ti and Hook Series of Chartplotters/Fishfinders as well as other technologies such as StructureScan® HD with SideScan and DownScan Imaging™ picturelike views, TotalScan™ combining Broadband Sonar™ and CHIRP sonar with SideScan and DownScan Imaging™ enabling you to get all your sonar technology in one transducer. Trackback™ review for scrolling back in live sonar history, StructureScan® 3D producing high definition and 3D images with stunning detail and clarity, CHIRP Sonar for greater sensitivity, improved resolution and superior noise rejection for clearer, easy-tosee fish targets, low-power and high-definition Broadband 4G Radar for navigating in any and all conditions, StructureMap to develop your own map data, and a wide range of fresh and saltwater mapping products. Extremely easy to use, yet packed with the features anglers the world over know and love, Lowrance marine electronics continue to set the bar for the best recreational fishing technology.

Although our products have won numerous industry awards for innovative excellence, Lowrance’s focus is to design products that simply provide the most meaningful benefits for anglers. Our goal is to help you quickly pinpoint the structure, transitions and other fish-holding cover. Whether you fish inland freshwater or coastal saltwater conditions, you want to quickly eliminate unproductive water. That same passion is what drives Lowrance to continue to provide the most innovative electronics.

We also continue to provide enhanced features and capabilities after your purchase. Our free software updates provide even more meaningful benefits – real innovations that allow you to make the most of your time on the water.

We back it all with the best consumer productsatisfaction support in marine electronics.

Lowrance products are protected by a one or twoyear limited warranty (depending on the product), and supported for an additional three years by the Lowrance 5 Year Warranty Program, which allows customers to upgrade to the latest technology, at a discounted price, in the unlikely event that a product fails or needs repair.

With 50 years continuous manufacturing experience, Lowrance designs products that provide the ultimate in high-performance features at highly competitive prices. n

OFFICIAL GUIDE MAP TO THE WORLD PREDATOR EVENT

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC 2016

3

Gorslaan

Captain’s Dinner: Citta Romana

3

WPC Headquarters: Registrations and Trailer Park

Streetfishing Info Point and Competition Start

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Canons and Kayak starting point

Competitors’ Mooring

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Flag Parade Start

ijk ed Ze

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we eu Ni

Helius Haven

Kerkstraat Westkade

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we Zeedijk Nieu

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isw ac Gl

emeester Van Der J Burg agt rad e

e w eu Ni

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merlaan Opzoo

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rta

A WELCOME FROM THE MAYOR OF HELLEVOETSLUIS

WELCOME FROM THE MAYOR OF HELLEVOETSLUIS

It’s an honour to welcome the World Predator Classic for the third time to the historical setting of our town. This is a major international event that has become of great importance to our city.

The contest with fast boats, the flag parade with participants of different nationalities is a joy to look at. This year every citizen of Hellevoetsluis can experience this by joining the street fishing contest.The good angling spirit brings an exiting vibe to the city. We’re all looking forward to this! Especially me, for I am the new mayor of Hellevoetsluis, and this year will be my first World Predator Classic Tournament.

Last year Hellevoetsluis was nominated ‘Dutch angling capital’, therefore Hellevoetsluis is the place to be! The unique location of Hellevoetsluis with its historical harbor directly at the Haringvliet is the perfect setting for an event as the World Predator Classic.

The Drydock Jan Blanken will serve again as

headquarters. This will give an extra dimension to this tournament.

During the event you will be busy of course, completely dedicated to catch the winning fish.

Therefor we would love you to consider to stay a bit longer and take your time to enjoy everything Hellevoetsluis and the island of Voorne-Putten have to offer.

There is so much you can do. In the green surroundings you can hike, bike or take a swim.

There’s always a beach nearby. So come paddle or surf on the North Sea! In the various little towns on the island you can relax and enjoy lunch or diner in the sun at a terrace. Want to know more about our history?

The fortifications and other museums have various tours you can join.

We wish the organisation Angling Spirit, the initiator Ross Honey and all the participants a good tournament and a pleasant stay in Hellevoetsluis. May the best anglers win!

Mayor Milène Junius

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Dear partcipants and visitors, welcome to Hellevoetsluis!

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Home of the World Predator Classic 2016, Hellevoetsluis, is a unique place to be. It is the only fortified harbour in The Netherlands, with a magnificent location at the Haringvliet.

It is with great pleasure that we welcome the World Predator Classic for the third time in our beautiful town and on our interesting island.

Thanks to the active local angling association and the World Predator Classic Hellevoetsluis became angling capital 2015 of the Netherlands. Is there a better place to organize such a big event as the World Predator Classic?

We offer competitors and other visitors a wide range of beautiful sites and inspiring places.

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Europe’s Biggest Cannon!

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In the fortification of Hellevoetsluis you experience the life of the soldiers who had to defend the ramparts.

The big canon 24IJ – the only original canon of this size on its original place in Europe – is one of the most important remains. But also the Barracks Haerlem and the various casemates dating from the 17th till the 20th century are very interesting to visit. These are all recently restored.

WELCOME TO

HELLEVOET Unique setting for an event

The fast and furious boats of the World Predator Classic contrast well with the historical ships at the King’s Quay (Koningskade) where you can find three historical ships: the Buffel, AMS de Bernisse and the Lighthouseship 12 Noordhinder.

When you walk on you will arrive in the Drydock Jan Blanken, headquarters of the WPC2016. This drydock is the first drydock built in stone. You can take a tour around the harbor and enjoy a beautiful view on the National

Firefighting Museum, corn mill ‘De Hoop’, the old marine school ‘De Veste’, the Prinsehuis (office of the executive board of the municipality of Hellevoetsluis), the monumental iron bridge and the protestant church with its golden lamb on top. Enjoy a cold drink on one of the various terraces. When you like to shop you can find a big shopping mall Struytse Hoeck 2 km from the historical center.

On Saturdays you will find the very vivid market with various stalls. Look at the beautiful flowers, the delicious fruits and the typical dutch ‘stroopwafels’, try the ‘herring’ or taste our lovely cheese.

Island of Voorne Putten

One island two worlds. This is the slogan of the Island of Voorne Putten which contains the towns of Brielle, Westvoorne, Hellevoetsluis and Nissewaard with their history and modern facilities.

But you will also find beautiful nature and beaches. This green island offers possibilities for hiking, biking, horseriding, relaxing, sailing, spotting seals, island hopping, golfing, kitesurfing, etc The Island of Voorne Putten is a hidden treasure in the south west of The Netherland .

You can spend days roaming the

HELLEVOETSLUIS: ANGLING CAPITAL OF THE NETHERLANDS A dive into the past: Dry Dock Jan Blanken

SLUIS island by foot, bike or car and enjoy its pleasures.

Town of Brielle Brielle is a small fortified town, 11 kilometers from Hellevoetsluis. You will find some charming little shops and a very interesting historical museum. There are lots of nice restaurants and bars.

When the weather is fine you can sit on a terrace and watch the passers-by.

Oostvoorne & Rockanje When you like the beach and the sea this is the place to be for you.

You will find miles of beaches, you can

walk along the seaside and there are a lot of places where you can have a drink and something to eat. The Mildenburg woods are lovely for a stroll.

Nissewaard Nissewaard is the biggest town on the island of Voorne Putten.

It is a very modern city. In the city center you will find a lot of shops and the ‘Boekenberg’ (Mountain of Books), the library. This extraordinary building has been designed by architect Winy Maas.

Outside the town you will find a large nature park called De Bernisse.

The dry dock Jan Blanken has an important part of the maritime history of Hellevoetsluis for over 200 years. From the 17th century this fortress city served as the naval centre for the Admiralty of the “Maze”.

In 1775 as part of the modernisation project of the naval settlement in Hellevoetsluis, Jan Blanken (Inspector General of the Ministry of Waterways and Public Works, designed this dry dock, which is so-called a double dry dock. That means that there are two docks, which can work independent of each other. In 1802 the construction started of the so-called Keeldock. The Construction of the so-called Carpenters’dock followed between 1821 and 1825. Dry-dock Jan Blanken was the First Stone dry-dock in the Netherlands. Special elements are the shipdoors (bateau-porte) as barricade of the two docks and the aquaducts (length 329m), a waterreservoir for fire-fighting and purification.

The length of the whole dry dock is about 157m and the width 31m. The recent shipdoor is made of iron, a beautiful preserved “bateauporte”. However the original shipdoor was made of wood and had two keels. The dry dock was pumped dry by a steam engine with three big iron pumps, which were designed by Boulton & Watt, England. The pumping-station was demolished for obscure reasons. But it was reconstructed in the original state in 2001.

The dry dock Jan Blanken is still in operation and regularly ships are docked according to the original methods. The dry dock Jan Blanken in Hellevoetsluis is one of the greatest cultural and industrial monument of the Netherlands.

In 1775 Jan Blanken designed this dry dock .. so-called a double dry dock, as there are two docks that can work independently of each other

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GREAT Città Romana, the official event accommodation, is a unique holiday resort that offers visitors the chance to relax and unwind after a good day’s fishing

Resort Città Romana: The official event accommodation for the World Predator Classic 2016 in Hellevoetsluis!

This fishing event is growing every year. More and more people are getting to know the sport, thanks to the founder.

Ross Honey, who came to Holland and put Hellevoetsluis on the World Predator Classic map. Now the competition is a known word for almost everyone in Hellevoetsluis.

After a couple of years, people are now starting to realise this is not just a fishing event, but it is much more than that: it has become an exciting international event for the whole of Rotterdam! With fishing; fast boats, live online tracking systems for the audience, music and school projects.

As it is the World Predator Classic, people from all over the world will travel to Hellevoetsluis to participate.

WPC OFFICIAL ACCOMMODATION: CITTA ROMANA

ESCAPES And we’re here to help the competitors, sponsors and tourists with our impressive accommodation where visitors can unwind after a good day’s fishing.

We are very proud that the organisation has selected our resort as the official event accommodation.

What can you find in Resort Città Romana? The Resort is spread over 16.3 hectares, with small lakes that run

between the holiday homes. People that have stayed with us have said it’s an idyllic, quiet and peaceful place.

There are 5 different types of holiday homes, of which 2 types have thatched roofs. Furthermore, every holiday home has its own free Wi-Fi and free satellite TV with 100+ national and international channels. Each holiday home also has it’s own garden to enjoy the scenery.

In the central building of the Resort you will find our reception, a heated indoor swimming pool and a private sauna (which is free to use as a guest), a cosy pub (Tony’s) and the restaurant (Duinhoek), which features a beautiful terrace next to the water. Other facilities include a beauty salon and a massage studio for extra relaxation. For children we have an outside playground and entrance to an indoor play centre free of charge.

If you would like to stay up to date with all our latest news, including the restaurant (Duinhoek) and the Resort. You can download our App in the Appstore or Google play store, off course you can also follow us on twitter @Cittaromana or Facebook: www.facebook.com/ CittaRomana/.

We wish you all the best of luck with this year’s World Predator Classic event and a wonderful stay with us at Resort Citta Romana! n

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Spoilt for choice.. Resort Città Romana is situated close to the town of Hellevoetsluis and offers 5 different types of holiday homes spread over 16.3 hectares where you can enjoy the scenic lakes, the nearby beach and all the amenities on offer at the Resort’s central building

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MEET THE LOCALS: TACKLE SHOP DE CATFISH

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

MEET THE

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LOCALS Hello again, from Mario and Mirabel at the fishing tackle shop De Catfish.

We are very happy that the World Predator Classic is coming to our town again. The WPC is a fantastic fishing event. People from all over the world are visiting our town. Which is great for all local entrepreneurs.

During the year, we see lots of people practicing for the street fishing event. People are coming over from Germany, Belgium, France and so on to fish our local waters.

Also, on the Haringvliet you will find lots of boats ‘secretly’ practicing for the World Predator Classic.

It is already the third year this event is held in Hellevoetsluis. Amazing how time flies...

We have had a very busy year. In January, we moved our shop to a better, more spacious and easier-to-reach location.

Our shop now has an even more extensive range of lures and for our region the most comprehensive.

This year we are even taking part in the Boat event ourselves! Mirabel is fishing with Freek Oosterhuis so we are very excited to be joining the teams! We will be fishing as team Reuben Heaton/Eagle Claw.

So this year in June, we will be spending lots of time on the Haringvliet and of course the Hollands Diep to prepare ourselves in the best way possible. So we can compete with

the best anglers in the world.

Also ‘Street fish Team Catfish Hellevoetsluis’ will be participating in the Street fishing event! This event is growing each year. There will be about 200 anglers joining the competition.

So great fun. We are looking forward to joining the event.

Thank you, Ross for bringing the World Predator Classic to our city!

We hope to see you all in Hellevoetsluis and meet you at our new shop located on Timmer Werf 11 in Hellevoetsluis.

Cheers, Mario and Mirabel

‘‘

Our new shop now has an even more extensive range of lures and for our region the most comprehensive

HOOKED ON KAYAKS: WPC 2015 KAYAK CHAMPION

I was infected by the kayak virus in 2010 when I bought myself a brand new Hobie Outback Mirage kayak and from that moment on I was totally addicted to fishing from a kayak.

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

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It all started many years ago when fishing for Seabass, where the kayak turned out to be the perfect way to ambush the Seabass in almost stealth modus. Fishing spots that couldn’t be reached by fishing from the shore or boats now came in reach and without spooking the fish, the kayak gave me several unique advantages in Seabass fishing. However the seabass season is short and I didn’t want to wait till the next summer before I could fish from the kayak again. The result of that is that I’ve started fishing at fresh water venues for pike, perch and zander.

From that moment the bear was loose…

(Dutch wisdom and sounds a bit like Louis van Gaal’s English .. lol). It basically means that I’m now all year around totally hooked into fishing from a kayak for predatory species. Literally from that moment on I can be found on the water every weekend, chasing all kind of predators with artificial lures and still love doing it as much as the moment I started with it.

After a few years, I discovered a new element in the kayak fishing scene in the form of competitions. I went to Australia where I competed in the 3rd Hobie Fishing World Championship. I had a great time there and met a lot of other Hobie enthusiasts. A few months later there was the announcement of the arrival of the World Predator Classic tournament.

Although it’s mainly a boat event, it also has a few side events such as the Street fishing competition and a Kayak event.

I participated in 2014 and to my surprise I was the leading guy after day one. Sadly I couldn’t deal with the pressure, or had just a bad day ... the result was pretty clear – a blank on the second day. As it was a two

bear on the loose

Having caught the Kayak bug six years ago, Dutch angler Daniël van der Post is finding it hard to shake the habit ... but after taking the 2015 World Predator Classic Kayak Champion title, why would he?

‘‘

when fishing for Seabass, the kayak

HOOKED ON KAYAKS: WPC 2015 KAYAK CHAMPION

turned out to be the perfect way to ambush the fish in almost stealth mode

HOOKED ON KAYAKS: WPC 2015 KAYAK CHAMPION

Tough going.. Daniël van der Post (front row, second from left) joins the Kayak Event line-up, including the formidable German Team (below)

last day where in my favour. Strong wind makes the fishing extremely difficult for most anglers and many of them chose to fish the more sheltered areas. Fishing was tough on that 3rd day and I was lucky to catch a few fish and most important of all the pike became more active.

After catching my pike I knew that I was doing well for the competition and after hearing that many others were struggling, that feeling of doing well became more and more realistic. Still there were nerve-breaking hours before the final results were to be announced!

But finally, after many hours waiting... I won the World Predator Classic Kayak event, what a fantastic result!

All the hard work and preparations paid off, and even now, almost a year later I still can’t quite believe that I actually won the tournament.

I’m really looking forward to this year’s competition and to meet up again with all those great people who made this event such a fantastic experience. n

Daniël van der Post Kayak Champion 2015

‘‘

Fishing was tough on the 3rd day but I caught a few fish and most important of all the pike became more active

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

day event that year, I still managed to finish in 2nd place, which was a great result and other than the excitement, I learned a lot during that tournament.

The experience of the World Predator Classic helped me a grea deal in the next tournament that was planned later that year. Almost the same venue was host for the Hobie Fishing European Championship where almost 40 kayaks battled in a two day event for the European title. Of course there’s the home advantage but still I had to fish very hard for it and the luck was also on my side and again, to my surprise, it all went so well that I could call myself the European Champion after two days of fishing.

After winning that prestigious title I knew many other kayak fisherman had an eye on me at the 2015 edition of the World Predator Classic Kayak which has now grown to a three-day format.

Many very skilled anglers took part in the 2015 edition – especially the big group of German anglers who looked very strong.

I had several practice sessions in the weeks before the tournament started and I was hoping for a massive tournament area so that I could fish many of the discovered spots. After the registration process, the day before the tournament began, it became clear that the tournament area was smaller than I had hoped for, nevertheless it was still a big area. The fishing went well and although I spent quite some time just traveling around to find areas that were not so crowded, I was very pleased with the results.

I managed to find a couple of spots where I could catch perch and zander at the same time. Pike was a different story and that turned out to be very difficult. After two days in the tournament I had a decent gap to the guy behind me and I knew that conditions on the

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HOOKED ON KAYAKS: bass champion michael iaconelli

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE

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BASS

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As a bass fishing great, Michael Iaconelli can basically fish on anything he likes, but his new Hobie Kayak is definitely his boat of choice Michael Iaconelli is the definition of elite. Known almost universally as Ike, he is the only angler to win professional bass fishing’s de facto triple crown: the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Angler of the Year and B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. He’s more than good— he’s easily one of the top ten bass anglers of all time, and he’s still in his prime.

Ike can fish on anything he likes. He likes the Hobie Pro Angler, a boat that takes him back to his roots. In his home state of New Jersey, a powerboat can’t access some of the best water. It’s too rocky, too wooded, or there’s no launch ramp. The Hobie, with its MirageDrive, makes otherwise inaccessible lakes accessible. It can get in there, silently.

“That’s a super advantage. You can target fish that haven’t seen a lure in years.

Everything you throw at them they see as new and interesting,” he says.

Unlike traditional paddle kayaks, Hobie MirageDrive kayaks allow an angler to keep a rod where it belongs—in hand.

“The MirageDrive technology is a game changer for kayak fishing. At the end of the day, the more time that I have to put my

lures in front of as many fish as I can, the more fish that I will catch! My Hobie gives me the flexibility to hold the kayak in one area if I need to slow down and fish finesse techniques. If I want to pick up the pace, I’m able to use the MirageDrive to get to more fishing spots quickly and I can cover a ton of water with a reaction bait like a topwater, swim jig, or crankbait,” he says.

For Ike, fishing on his Hobie brings a fresh perspective. “You’re down at water level. You can’t believe how spectacular a jumping bass looks. I was amazed at the difference,” he says.

Ike’s Hobie Pro Angler offers most of the bells and whistles of his high-end powerboat, without the steep investment. He can install a fishfinder and chart plotter and still have room for a full spread of rods and several boxes of tackle.

“I’m pretty excited about my new kayak.

I just got it, and I love it. It’s on top of my truck, and I plan to take it everywhere I go this season. It’s really neat, especially after I had it wrapped to match my boat. It travels on the top of my Toyota truck kind of like my BassCat’s little brother,” he says.

Article and pictures by Paul Lebowitz

‘‘

I’m pretty excited about my new Hobie kayak. I just got it, and I love it.

It’s on top of my truck, and I plan to take it everywhere I go this season

Kayak event rules Sportsmanship..

Anyone caught cheating could receive punishment by law and receive lifetime bans from other kayak fishing events and tournaments.

Safety..

Each angler must have a valid fishing license for the days they will be on water.

All participants must wear their life vest through the duration of the competition. At the morning Check-in the competitor will be issued with a numbered key tag that will be the anglers starting and competitor number for that day only. Anglers will be issued with a different tag number each day. All competitors MUST return their key-tag to the tag board when they return to the event site at the end of the fishing day regardless of whether they are measuring fish or not.

In the event of an angler not returning their key tag to the board by the specified finish time, the event organisers will commence a search for the missing competitor/s.

KAYAK OPEN

PARTICIPANTS

Please maintain high standards of sportsmanship on and off the water, respecting others launching or fishing in similar areas to you. It is the angler’s responsibility for the well-being of the fish.

WPF REF

Briefing..

Attendance at the Competitors Meeting (June 20th) and daily briefings are mandatory for all competitors. See event Information sheets for briefing times.

Check-in..

Exact check-in times will be announced at the Competitor Meeting. ALL competitors must collect their key tags before the start of each day and must have their key tags on the board by the nominated finish time.

Failure to do so will result in time penalties at the rate of 1cm per minute late (or part thereof) and disqualification of the bag for returns over 15 minutes late.

Fishing.. n Competitors must abide by all of the

state fishing and boating regulations. Be prepared to show your current fishing licence (Vispas) at registration and have it with you all times while fishing. n ALL events are expected to start at 10.00 am and finish at 04.00 pm. n All fish must be taken with a fishing rod, line and hook on the day of the tournament. No other methods are permitted. n ALL three species must be the minimum state legal length. Fish below the minimum size should be immediately be released alive. No pictures to be taken, no points of score. The legal length are as follows: n Pike: 45cm, Zander 42 cm, Perch 22 cm n 3 Zander, 3 Perch, 1 Pike will be the daily target and species. n Only 1 rod may be used at a time n Cast-and-retrieve only – Lure fishing only – no live baits, no dead baits and no trolling. n Any indersized fiah will be disqualified from the angler’s bag.

NAME

Sponsor

WPK16-01 Daniel Van der Post Defending champion

WPK16-21 Willemijn Vollebregt WPK16-24 Maurits Vollebregt WPK16-25 Leo Pegels

WPK16-31 Bernard Provilij

WPK16-32 Ies Dubbeldam

Kayaks..

Anglers must be fishing from a non – motorized Kayak. All competitors must make their way to their desired spots by pedal or paddle-power. Only sit on and sit in kayaks are allowed. All anglers are eligible to enter with any kayak.

Digital photography

Netherlands

RDK Baits RDK Baits Kayak Winkel Kayak Winkel

Sweden WPF REF

NAME

WPK16-02 WPK16-03 WPK16-04 WPK16-09 WPK16-10 WPK16-12 WPK16-13 WPK16-18 WPK16-19

Jens Heubes Dennis Hartken Robert Staigis Dennis Kieselhorst Jens Jurgens Martin Breuer Andreas Breuer Marc Wertgen Jasmin Spingel-Petersen

WPK16-22 WPK16-26 WPK16-27 WPK16-28

Thorsten Klein Michael Weber Felipe Esser Marco Drewer

England WPF REF

Germany NAME

cameras. n Internet access is requierd to enter the ranking. n Do not digitally alter or enhance them in any way. n Entrant must load up the picture to the official online leaderboard to score. n Anglers are responsible for a proper internet connection to ensure that their photos may be uploaded – No upload, no scoring! n Judges have full discretion on open mouth and where the tail lies. Judges can ask tournament director to make final ruling if there is a questionable photo

Sponsor

WPK16-11 Lars Lundberg WPK16-14 Manuel Dahlberg WPK16-17 Pierre Wilson

WPF REF

n Participants may only use mobile phone

Sponsor

Wiley X Shimano Shimano

NAME

WPK16-05 Tony Chesworth WPK16-06 Lee Garner WPK16-08 David Morris

WPK16-23 Ian Harris

Sponsor

Reuben Heaton Reuben Heaton

Poland WPF REF

NAME

WPK16-07 Plano WPK16-15 Piotr Wojnowski WPK16-16 Tomasz Kurnik

Sponsor

T Poland T Poland

France

SPRO WPF REF

NAME

WPK16-29 Herve Martin WPK16-30 Mael Martin

Sponsor

Alcedo Alcedo

Morocco WPF REF

NAME

WPK16-20 Salah Eddine

El Barbouchi

Sponsor

SPRO

Scoring: size does matter! n The event uses catch-photo-release scoring

determined by the length of each species (Pike, Perch, Zander), combined in the case of an “Aggregate”. Each angler will be issued a “uniform measuring device” and unique scoring marker.

n Fish must be photographed in or on the boat

and on the provided measuring device, clearly showing the length of the fish with the scoring marker and boat visible. Fish must measure above the state minimum to count. n Fish must be lying flat, facing left to right, with mouth closed in a natural resting position

centered against the vertical portion of the Trough. The fish must appear in a natural state. Any manipulation of the fish will result in a disqualification of that fish. The tail will be measured as it lies. n Only the anglers’ hand can hold the fish down on the board. Use of bands, grips, stringers, etc… Will result in a disqualification of that fish. n Competitors may enter seven (7) fish per day into the tournament, with a total aggregate number of centimetres of 1 Pike, 3 Zander, 2 Perch. A minimum of 1 target fish species is needed for the ranking.

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WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

MARK OF EXCELLENCE: PLANO’S ORIGINAL FISHING GEAR

STAMP

OF APPROVAL The Past, Present and Future of Tackle Storage ... Plano puts a new stamp on its generation-spanning innovation

Modern thermoplastic compounds were first developed for commercial use during the years leading up to WWII. Plano Molding Company was one of the first to begin injection molding these new “miracle materials” at their Plano, Illinois manufacturing facility in 1938. Their complex mold designs and innovative spirit quickly showed the world what could be done with the new technology.

14 years later, Plano founder Pete Henning manufactured the very first molded plastic tackle box, revolutionizing – if not creating – the tackle storage industry. But being first was just the beginning.

Since then, Plano has innovated one new tackle storage solution after another – most incorporating their industry-standard, interchangeable 3600 and 3700 size StowAway tackle trays – giving anglers an unprecedented array of clever and componentized tackle storage and transportation options based on specific fishing needs. For the past six decades, Plano has focused on unrelenting innovation so anglers can find more success on the water and make the most out of every precious outing.

Today, Plano manufactures and sells over 200 distinct tackle storage products, each painstakingly designed to help anglers protect their passion with user-friendly function and pride-inspiring style. If you own a tackle box, there’s an 80% chance it carries Plano’s legendary triple P logo.

Beginning with the remarkable release of 30 all-new soft tackle bags in 2016, Plano has begun stamping a new trademark on its covetous collections – a trademark that showcases the company’s pioneering past, dynamic present, and self-destined future of industry-leading innovation.

“This mark allows us to celebrate our pride in being the original manufacturers of molded tackle storage equipment while also highlighting the date in which we began the relentless pursuit of offering the best

‘‘

For 2016, Plano’s angling engineers have developed the all-new, premium line of A-Series Tackle Bags from a totally blank canvas

performing and most innovative tackle storage products on the market,” says Plano Synergy Director of marketing, Ben Rand.

Plano, a true angler-centric company, is championed from top to bottom by employees who share the passions of their customers. “There’s no disconnect at Plano,” continues Rand. “Celebrating who we are while striving to lead the way in innovation is extremely important, and this new trademark is a visual reminder of these accomplishments and ideals.”

For 2016, Plano’s angling engineers have developed the all-new, premium line of A-Series Tackle Bags from a totally blank canvas – five adventurous and innovative soft tackle bag designs, each combining highquality materials with an all-new clean and rugged aesthetic.

A is for Alpha Plano’s new top-end A-Series is anchored by the one-of-a-kind A-Series QuickTop – an innovative hybrid soft/hard design, available in both 3600 and 3700 sizes, that places a durable and sleek, molded ABS lid atop a richly-featured soft tackle bag.

Operable with one hand, the two smoked, see-through lids unlatch on either side for immediate access to the items anglers use most on the water. When closed, these items remain visible and fully protected inside.

“Almost every angler uses a smartphone while fishing for photography, maps, fishing apps and social media,” says Plano Brand Manager, Ryan Olander. “The QuickTop solves the problem of safe and accessible storage for mobile devices while also providing fast access to preferred lures of the day… all built around a premium soft tackle bag.”

Sandwiched between its ABS top and waterproof base lies a smart and handsome soft tackle bag, crafted from an all-new proprietary fabric combining lightweight durability with premium aesthetics. A reinforced carry handle and padded shoulder strap with heavy-duty hardware ensure failsafe transportation, while the use of MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) webbing borrowed from the

MARK OF EXCELLENCE: PLANO’S ORIGINAL FISHING GEAR

tactical industry allows other gear to be securely attached to the bag’s exterior.

The QuickTop’s main interior compartment houses four included Plano StowAway utility boxes. Extra storage for gear and accessories exists in a series of additional zippered pockets and a large mesh back pocket secured by a Velcro closure. Tool sheaths are integrated on the outside of each side pocket.

Alpha anglers deserve a premium tackle bag that matches their level of commitment, and the all-new one-of-a-kind A-Series QuickTop is sure to make any angler more efficient.

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

A is for Adventure

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Some of the best fishing adventures exist beyond the range of a fully provisioned boat or SUV. Whether the final miles of the journey are covered by foot, mountain bike, horseback, kayak or dugout canoe, Plano’s new A-Series Tackle Backpack will carry the tackle and other essential gear needed to make the most of any angling adventure.

Functional utility lies at the core of this unique tackle bag. Five Plano 3600 StowAways are included and fit into the bottom of the pack’s main compartment, providing secure storage for dozens of lures and other terminal tackle. A separate upper storage compartment zips open to reveal cavernous storage for bulkier items like reels, line spools, clothing, cameras, electronics, food items and more. The interior face of the main compartment incorporates a large zippered pocket and three mesh pockets for organizing keys, wallet, smartphone and sunglasses and other sundries.

The utilitarian theme continues on the A-Series Tackle Backpack’s exterior. Two generous zippered face pockets are perfect for stashing tools and flashlights, first-aid kits, small electronics and sunscreen.

Secondary pockets with snap closures on each face pocket provide fast access to additional contents.

Rounding out its functional features, a cushioned back pad, padded and fully adjustable shoulder straps and reinforced top carry handle make the A-Series Tackle Backpack ultra comfortable to wear and use.

The aesthetics and durability of the A-Series Tackle Backpack match its utility and comfort. Premium materials and components give the pack a sturdy feel with a classically clean and rugged look that will appeal to any angler.

Perfect for kayak anglers, expedition anglers or anyone who needs to

transport tackle while keeping their hands free, Plano’s new A-Series Tackle Backpack is the ultimate adventure angling tackle pack.

A is for Authentic Plano’s new A-Series Tackle Duffel is just what the traveling angler or gear junkie ordered – a right-sized package offering maximum capacity and utility, all wrapped up with top-quality components, durable construction and handsome, A-Series aesthetics.

The venerable 3600 StowAway lies at the heart of the new A-Series Duffel’s tackle toting capability. It’s designed to house 14 of them: ten inside its cavernous main compartment and another four in its secondary front compartment. Anglers can remove a few to make room for additional gear, from rainwear and reels to fish-grippers and fillet knives. Four more zippered, exterior pockets – two on each end – are perfect for protecting smaller items like sunglasses, keys, electronics or soft plastics.

The A-Series Tackle Duffel’s utility comes not only from its hungry capacity, but also from the numerous ways it can be carried.

Traditional handles arch up from the front and back of the duffel for short-haul situations, and a padded shoulder strap is perfect for long-distance carrying. Need a handhold to drag the bag out of the back of a truck or the belly of a floatplane? There’s a handle on either end, right where it’s needed. Want to buddy-carry the bag or pass it to another person from a boat or dock?

Plano thought of that, too, placing handles on top of both ends. Practical and stylish MOLLE webbing adorns the duffel’s front.

The new A-Series Tackle Duffel is the ideal mass-tackle storage and travel bag, conceived, designed and constructed from over 60 years of authentic Plano experience and insight.

A is for Access Beauty is often skin deep. Sometimes, however, what’s inside can be just as glorious as the outside. Find this combination, and you have a keeper.

Such is the case with the new Plano

A-Series Tackle Bag. Beneath its attractive exterior, a parade of clever features combine for new levels of embodied utility, durability and performance.

At 15” long by 10.25” wide by 9.25” tall, the new A-Series Tackle Bag has what Plano engineers call “a manageable footprint.”

Others call it perfect… not too big and not too small…. Right-sized for carrying up to five fully loaded Plano 3600 Utility Boxes inside its padded main compartment.

The key to the high-end A-Series Tackle Bag’s durability is its camera bag-inspired design, which uses a pair of reinforced straps and new stronger buckles in lieu of a zipper to close the main compartment lid.

“When some tackle bags are zippered shut, the zipper can become the weak point and eventually fail because it bears the entire weight of the bag when carried by the handle on top,” says Plano Brand Manager, Ryan Olander. “For the premium A-Series Tackle Bag, we eliminated that risk by creating a bag without a zipper… using improved buckles, instead, that allow the bag’s main compartment to be opened faster and more easily… even with cold or slime-covered hands.”

Plano innovation and capability resonate throughout the rest of the A-Series Tackle Bag, which offers anglers an interior lid storage system consisting of a large zippered pocket and four smaller slip pockets in addition to an astonishing 12 exterior pockets to store, secure and access every angling essential.

Two generously sized zippered pockets on each end of the bag are capped off with open slip pockets. Three additional zippered pockets gild the bag’s front, and are finished with hardworking MOLLE webbing. The back of the bag has a large, mesh slip pocket with a Velcro closure.

Plano’s efficient new A-Series Tackle Bag provides anglers with big bag performance in a compact, aesthetically striking package that makes retrieving and stowing tackle items easier and faster than ever.

There are a handful of truly iconic and enduring fishing brands, but none have crossed and connected more generations of anglers the way Plano has while still remaining on the cutting edge of innovation.

Plano’s revolutionary new A-Series sits firmly atop today’s tackle storage hierarchy, providing the discriminating angler with a distinctive and comprehensive system for tackle management, storage and transportation.

Learn more at www.planomolding.com.

Chris Lebrandt has been a predator and lure fishing angler since the age of seven. Best known for pike and lure fishing, Chris has over twenty years in the tackle trade and describes himself as a marketeer, designer, writer, angler, sage, raconteur and wit.

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So, what’s changed?

Half a century ago a small boy cast his first lure into the crystal clear waters of a lake, reputedly dug by the Romans who had inhabited the abandoned villa site set in the hawthorn and elderberry scrubland next to the sparkling chalk stream that fed the site.

So began my love affair with lure fishing.

Looking back, even the most basic of lures were compelling and filled with magic, magic that would tease out the striped perch that shared the water with tench and beautiful golden rudd.

There were also pike, the fish of legends that without ever catching one, I knew would be my angling passion, they still are. I had already fallen under the spell of fishing, the crystal clear waters of the river revealing the secret world of insects, bugs, fish, and the enigmatic and sometimes brutal world of fish eating fish, the underwater world of survival.

Back then, any lure was a piece of magic, some still are, but like many things these days, the magic and mystery has diminished. The limited choice was one of the reasons, you couldn’t find many in the UK, the other was the limited choice of information, many lures becoming mythical, in size, shape, colour and how to use them. In the UK the choice was limited, in both size and brand. We had to look abroad for lures made

by Arbogast, Creek Chub, Heddon and Rapala.

Research consisted of finding tackle shops that may have, but rarely stocked, a lure and many hours in the local library. It was a hard road for a lure enthusiast, and one on which I spent many years alone, but slowly more information, eventually books and magazines came my way and even some of the legendary lures too.

The Darent valley in Kent, England, where I lived and fished, was in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s a hotbed of carp fishing and its development, but as a species, the carp never caught my imagination. Not like the pike. I became known as a crazy kid who caught pike on lures, and I did, nothing especially huge, but a lot of fish, generally four or five times as many as those who fished with bait. I learned a lot, but only very slowly, as I had to teach myself with the help of books and magazines. It was worth every minute of the research and learning, I made lure fishing what I did as my first choice method, not a few casts at the end of unproductive day. I knew that, without any other bait, I had to make lures work, and I figured out one thing over time.

There are no rules to be broken, just experiment, experiment and experiment until your lures work for you.

Is it the colour?

Although the mystery is less apparent, it is still there, and there are some anglers who appear to be magicians with lures (the WPC champions being two of them), anglers to whom you aspire.

You can never learn all the tricks from the internet, magazines and social media, but you can learn a lot. One part of lure fishing that can

‘‘

limited choice and limited information was one of the reasons you couldn’t find many lures in the UK – many became mythical

get you caught up is lure colour. When I look at the colours of lures in my collection now, and compare them to what I used 30 years ago, not much has changed. There are three main groups: Natural (roach, perch, pike), Firetiger, and a fairly unpopular Blue on Chrome. I have very few that don’t fit into this grouping.

The colour of the lure you’re using sometimes seems to be the only critical factor, other times it doesn’t seem to matter at all. I guess I’m in the middle of this, generally I’ll start with a natural colour and if that doesn’t work move onto something bright and unatural like Firetiger, and, if conditions are bright, sunny and windy, I’ll use Blue on Chrome. Of course, there are loads of other colour schemes, probably black being my fourth place choice, but generally, I don’t bother with them. We all have our favourites that work on our waters, and this is one of the delights of lure fishing.

CHRIS LEBRANDT: HALF A CENTURY OF CHANGE

Fatal attraction..

Rapala’s Scatter Rap Minnow

lures another predator

THE LURE OF change

Having had a love affair with lure fishing for half a century, Chris Lebrandt has witnessed the changing face of the sport ... once almost mystical and hard to find, lures are now a big and serious business. So what’s changed? Pretty much everything!

CHRIS LEBRANDT: HALF A CENTURY OF CHANGE

Is it the construction?

The biggest change is the lure construction away from metal (spinners, spoons etc.) to softbaits and the ‘crossover’ market of soft/hardbaits and the lifelike imitations.

More and more lures are now superb lifelike imitations, with the ‘caricature’ (Runts, Spooks,Creek Chubs, Suicks etc.) hardbaits that I was brought up with, coming a long way back in the pecking order.

In the forefront of the European softbait revolution were the Sosy softbaits and multi-joint baits that were way ahead of their time, and never really began the revolution they should have, I haven’t really understood why, perhaps they were just too early in opening up of the global or European markets, I don’t really know. The ‘Dawg’ revolution was one that made the most impact, softbaits that were BIG and you had to take seriously. A lot of anglers caught a lot of big fish on them, I wasn’t one of them, for some reason I could never master using them. As softbait production moved to China, prices tumbled and more and more lures were sold. Storm lures, recently acquired

by Rapala, hit the market with perfect timing and developed lures that utilized one of the (then) trade secrets in lure fishing: neutral density. The Suspending Swimbait Shad, with its fat body and internal buoyancy chamber was a revolution/revelation and is still as good as it always was, probably my first choice of any lure on any water. The curly tailed version the Seeker Shad came along a little later, both are still best sellers.

Now, there are many following in their groundbreaking footsteps, with more every day. As more fish were caught, smaller and smaller baits were used to catch different species of fish, with the Japanese Light Rock Fishing (LRF) movement leading the changes. Now we have huge amounts of smaller baits catching perch and zander (as well as trout, asp, chub and others) all over Europe, and indeed, the rest of the world.

Is it the action?

‘‘

Storm lures, recently acquired by Rapala, hit the market with perfect timing and developed lures that utilized one of the (then) trade secrets in lure fishing..neutral density

Is there anything else?

You only have to look at the WPC and all of its separate tournaments to see that things have moved on at an astonishing rate.

Kayaks are a recognised force in lure angling, sometimes bristling with electronic equipment, their portability and ease of use making them a great way into the world of boat fishing. Decent fishing boats are now readily available and can easily be launched from many sites. The use of electronics, and in particular, fish finders has changed our understanding of fish behaviour. Last year, fishing with the fabulously skilled Marcel Asbroek, I learned more about using fish finders in these days fishing with him than I had in three years on my own.

So, let us to go back to my original question: what has changed? The answer is, of course: just about everything! Our ability to access information, through clubs, associations, magazines, TV, social media and the internet have all given us insights into lure fishing worldwide. What we have done is taken techniques and tackle from around the world and adapted it to our own fishing situations. We are now all international anglers able to catch predators anywhere in the world.

The WPC is the culmination of this ethos, welcoming anglers from around the globe to test their skills in boats, kayaks or street fishing. Ten years ago, it was still an idea, but now the reality is growing year on year, with the introduction of national qualifying events feeding into the main tournament event, watch this space as it is now only a matter of time until we go trans-atlantic and take on the might of the American lure fishing giants. I can’t wait! n

Chris Leibbrandt

Is it the size?

Now, this is an interesting aspect of lure fishing.

Personally, although I fish the WPC, I am not really a competitive angler at all, and rarely, if ever spend any

Times are a changing.. an early Countdown Rapala lure from 1965 to a present day Storm WildEye Seeker Shad

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Yes, this is definitely one of the major changes.

Those of us old enough to be brought up on crankbaits have probably found it more difficult to adjust to the minimal action of glide baits, jerkbaits and sofbaits where there is very little feedback through the rod and reel.

Several things have helped, with changes in hardware leading to our ability to maximise the effectiveness of the ‘new’ lures. The biggest change for the lure angler has been the use of braided lines, which was helped by the uptake in the use of multiplier reels, which again (and in particular in Europe) was helped by the increasing availability of Left Hand wind versions, that made sense to us, if not the Americans.

Added to this the availability of shorter specialised baitcasting and spinning rods in the European market has also helped us to adopt and adapt the equipment and lures to our fishing needs.

So, back to the action…once we figured out that sometimes ‘less is more’, we began to understand jerkbaits and glide baits and how they worked. Then came the dawgs and finally we got to shads, worms, soft plastics and jigheads where the lack of feedback is exactly what helps to register takes and plucks, anything that happens tends to be a fish. I imagine that there are now many lure anglers who find the constant action of a crank bait as odd as I find the lack of action of a sofbait.

time using small lures, that I define as anything under 125mm long. Mainly because I fish for pike, with zander coming a long way back in second place and perch a very rare trip indeed. So, in terms of lure size, it has hardly made any difference to my fishing, but it has meant an enormous number of anglers adopting lure angling as their first choice method of angling.

So, in terms of the adoption of lure fishing, the market overall has changed enormously. The range of lure sizes from tiny to gargantuan, is now open to any lure angler who wants to specialise. The adoption of LRF and smaller lures has opened the market to canals and street fishing venues that were under-fished by most lure anglers (and in my case, still are). In short, lure fishing now offers something for everyone.

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WPC FISHING ACADEMY 2016: FEED THEIR IMAGINATION!

The anglers of the future After the success of the last two years, Wilbert Mostert will be running a third ‘Fishing Academy’ session on Saturday, July 2nd at the Droogdok

Start ‘em young .. children will learn a variety of fishing techniques during the Academy

Last year over 40 children took part in the Fishing Academy, all of which showed great enthusiasm and really enjoyed themselves.

Some of the children are still fishing, and have turned it into a real hobby. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from parents over the last couple of years, surprised by the interest and patience their children have shown.

During the session children are taught how to handle the fish with care and have respect for the enviroment. The children are also shown a variety of fishing techniques including: predator fishing, street fishing, fly fishing, feeder fishing and even carp fishing.

There will be stands with loads of fishing tackle and materials and also some experienced anglers with a lot of expertise to give their time and knowledge.

We will take care of all of the tackle needed in conjunction with Shimano, however if your child has their own equipment that they are used to please do bring it with you on the day. Drinks will also be provided for the children. We hope to see you there!

Official Hook of the World Predator Classic 2016

TAKE THE BAIT: FRABILL’S NEW COMPACT BUCKET

one for the

bucket list Frabill’s new Bait Bucket offers lidhoused aerator in a smaller, more compact version .. the ideal bank fishing companion

Savvy anglers know that fresh and lively bait is best. Thus, an integral part to any smart angler’s arsenal is an aerated bait bucket, like Frabill’s 6-gallon Aqua-Life Bait Station or 8-quart Bait Box with Aerator.

Frabill Model 4825 Aerated Bait Bucket: n 1.3-gallon capacity with included insulated liner n Upgraded lid with storage compartment for revolutionary aerator design, aerator clip-on bracket and hose hole in lid n 20 hours aeration run time, 2-AA batteries n 30-40 hours aeration run time, 4-AA batteries n MSRP: $24.99

Frabill’s new Aerated Bait Bucket is only one of five all-new innovative and economical bait bucket designs for 2016; a series that also includes the Drainer Bait Bucket, Bait Bucket, Insulated Bait Bucket and Dual Bait Bucket.

Learn more at www.frabill.com.

About Fabrill Frabill, Inc. is in its 75th year of engineering premium, trusted fishing equipment. Frabill’s ice fishing product lineup consists of portable ice fishing shelters, rod and reel combos, tip-ups, bait containers, portable aeration, and premium ice fishing apparel.

Open water products include landing nets, portable aeration, bait containers, bait care, bait traps and seines, accessories, and premium open water F Series Storm Gear.

Visit www.frabill.com.

Media Contacts: Ben Rand, Director of Marketing Plano Synergy 630-552-9518 brand@planomolding.com Noel Vick, Traditions Media, LLC (612) 708-7339 noel@traditionsmedia.com

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Both models have become must-haves with anglers who fish live bait. Durable, quiet, dependable. Now meet the newest Frabill design to join the top echelon of aerated bait bucket designs.

New for 2016, Frabill’s Model 4825 Aerated Bait Bucket holds 1.3 gallons (5.2 quarts) and offers anglers a smart alternative to clip-on aerators without having to move up in size to the 6-Gallon Aqua-Life Bait Station. Now anglers have the option of a top-performing bait with built-in lid aerator but in a smaller footprint – great for bank fishing and reducing clutter in any watercraft.

Also, given increasing invasive species regulations, anglers are becoming more conservative with how they utilize live bait.

It’s now common for anglers to keep several oxygenated bags of minnows on the ready in a cooler, only breaking them open as needed.

Frabill’s new Model 4825 Aerated Bait Bucket is the perfect container for this kind of fishing.

Frabill’s new Aerated Bait Bucket also conveniently fits into most consumer refrigerators to extend bait life even longer for multi-day fishing trips – or just keeping bait on the ready.

“We wanted

to design a bait bucket that would give anglers of all kinds a smart, one-stop way to keep bait lively and fresh, but in a smaller footprint.

We also wanted to make the product more user-friendly, moving away from the need for a clip-on aerator,” says Frabill design engineer, Tim Makos.

“Additionally, the built-in lid aerator was designed from the ground up for years of solid, quiet and bulletproof performance. The motor is both quiet and powerful, but in a scaled down footprint,” adds fellow Frabill design engineer, John Whalen.

Features also include an insulated liner to keep water temperature stable, a built-in compartment for lid-housed aerator, two- or four- AA battery operation, and much more.

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REEL HOUSEWIVES: debby & ANNICK’S FISHING TALES

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When you’re the wife of an avid angler, such as WPC Streetfishing organiser Ralph De Kock, you can stay at home and play the good housewife, or you can join him.

And that’s exactly what Debby De Kock decided to do ... now she’s well and truly hooked!

‘‘

15 years ago I met my husband, Ralph de Kock, he was a real fishing addict. I found the creatures he caught to be monsters.

The first time I went with him, I took my book and was enjoying the sun, until Ralph caught a pike 83 cm long. I was afraid this monster was going to take a bite of our dog that went up to sniff it.

Before long we bought a caravan next to the water and that was the first time I had a fishing rod in my hands. I really liked it, and I was happily just catching some small roach, with those disgusting maggots. It wasn’t long before Ralph took me at 5am one morning to try and catch some zander. I thought it was much too early and wanted to stay in bed, but because I knew it would be nice for my husband I went.

What a day that was! I had no idea what to do or how to cast, somehow I still managed to land a beautiful small zander. Since then I went along more often and started to see the fun of fishing. I was evolving….

A few years later our daughter was born and she was a handful so the early morning fishing trips were finished for me. Ralph started participating in some street fishing events and sometimes I went along. I really loved the ambiance of these events and soon I got my own dropshot rod. Friends of ours introduced me to some nice small softbaits (Reins). We

DEBBY DE KOCK THE EVOLUTION OF

REEL HOUSEWIVES: debby & ANNICK’S FISHING TALES

A FISHERMAN’S WIFE

REEL HOUSEWIVES: debby & ANNICK’S FISHING TALES

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Smitten.. Debby show’s off her prize catch – Ralph De Kock (below) and that perch isn’t half bad either!

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spent evenings dividing the baits we bought in France. That’s when we realized this could be something we can sell in the Netherlands. So that’s when we started RDK Baits distributor of various brands of high-end fishing tackles and we started organizing street fishing events and Ralph raised the Dutch Street fishing Association (DSA).

Participating in these events I noticed my body was hurting more and more. Then I got diagnosed with HMS and Fibromyalgia (extreme muscle pains). So a whole day hiking and fishing through the city was no longer an option.

Living next to the marina of Hellevoetsluis got Ralph interested in buying a fishing boat and to start a different kind of fishing. Last year we finally found a boat that we liked.

To start with I went along occasionally and was sceptic but soon I started to catch some fish and was really enjoying myself. This was mainly because I was fishing my own way (trolling with a vertical shad etc.). Everybody was laughing but I caught my fish. This way of fishing was easier for me, not causing so much pain so I could enjoy every minute.

As I said, we live in Hellevoetsluis the home city of the World Predator Classic, near the marina where it all takes place. That’s the reason why I was involved in the organization of the WPC for the last two years. It gave me great pleasure to help organize this event but this year I really wanted to compete myself.

So I studied to get my boating license and asked my friend Annick Rodiers if she wanted to participate as well. Now we’re registered and we are ready to participate in the tournament.

It’s my first competition and we are not as experienced as the rest of the competitors but we plan to have fun and have great 3 three days. It’s also a big challenge as to how my body is going to response to a three-day tournament. Just participating is already a big win for me.

‘‘

And that’s how I evolved from a fisherman’s wife to a fishing-woman.

Annick and I met at a fishing trade show, where we both worked for three days. From the first moment we met, we had a connection.

And since then we saw each other at every trade show, fishing event etc. We have so much fun when we’re together and we share the same love for fishing and drinking Champaign so she’s the perfect fishing partner.

Of course we have planned some weekends

together to train on the Haringvliet and Hollands Diep. For me it will be important to learn how to handle the boat and work with the fronttroller. We will both look for nice hotspots where we will be able to catch our fish.

But for us the most important thing is that we can participate as a female couple and have loads of fun. Who knows maybe we can even surprise everybody!

DEBBY DE KOCK

Annick and I met at a fishing trade show .. from the moment we met, we had a connection. We have so much fun together – the same love for fishing and drinking Champagne ... she’s the perfect fishing partner.

REEL HOUSEWIVES: debby & ANNICK’S FISHING TALES

The perfect match!

Like Debby, Annick Roddiers was introduced to the world of fishing by her husband Chris and they now act as Pro Staff members for Lund fishing boats. Annick will be participating alongside her mate Debby at this year’s event.

‘‘

Up for the challenge.. if these examples of Zander and pike are anything to go by, then Annick definitely stands a chance!

30 years ago I met Chris, his hobby was fishing, fishing and more fishing.

Many days I was left alone without him when he went of fishing again.

In 1994, Chris bought his first fishing boat with my father. In 2001 it was time to buy a real predator machine. Our choice was made it had to be a Lund 1650 rebel.

On a beautiful summer day, I said I really wanted to come along this time, it was such beautiful weather that day. But it became a day that I will never forget. The day ended in frustration for Chris with a lot of irritation and wigs, but it was worth it.

But I didn’t give up and continued going with him. Chris taught me day after day how the game was played, the techniques and everything there is to know. Soon the first fish were caught, weeks and months passed. I was evolving….

Fishing every week, I began to really enjoy this wonderful hobby.

10 years ago we were asked to be a prostaffmember of the magnificent Lund fishing boats from IjsselSport. Meanwhile grown into Lund Boats .eu.

The high-tech equipment Minn kotaHumminbird- Mastervolt is provided by Technautic for whom we are in the pro-staff team as well Thanks to these two great companies, we also have the opportunity to talk to people at trade shows and events, promote these beautiful brands and continue to pursue our hobby.

I’ve fished a few competitions with Chris as a replacement for his mate in the Dutch championship zander fishing (it was pretty stressful when you have to step in for a team with quite a few titles in the pocket).

So this year I’m going to participate the battle of the Titans (World Predator Classic) with my buddy Debby and looking forward to it.

RAPALA

RAPALA URBAN SERIES: WE’VE GOT IT IN THE BAG! l Molded EVA hard case pocket for sunglasses

Rapala’s backpack is part of the new Urban Series – a full range of technical, fishing-specific bags designed for urban streetfishing. Sleek designs feature multiple tackle storage options for the mobile angler l A 25 litre capacity backpack with detachable supportive hip belt that can be used separately as a full-featured hip pack. l Main compartment opens fully for easy access l Multiple organizer pockets inside main compartment l Zippered padded back pocket fits 14” laptop or 2 litre hydration bag l 3D mesh ventilating back support l Numerous external attachment points for tools and other accessories l Rod holder system on both sides l Expandable front pocket for extra gear l Adjustable chest and waist straps for comfortable wear l Model No: RUBP. Color: Digi-camo/Black l Dimensions (WxHxD): 40 cm x 32 cm x 20 cm

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

ator Predrilled to re d l r Wo are th pala a sic ags t Ra a l C s nce tha these b red f u t o se annoing one 00 regi titors.

2 giv of the compe a! l l to al tfishing u Rapa o e y e r t k S n Tha

Rapala Urban Backpack

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SAY CHEESE! WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC IN PICTURES

CAUGHT

IN THE ACT EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY

... HERE’S A FEW TAILS FROM 2015!

SAY CHEESE! WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC IN PICTURES

..and there’s

SAY CHEESE! WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC IN PICTURES

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more

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TEAM BUILDING: WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC TEAM EVENT

BOAT TEAM

PARTICIPANTS Team Shimano 1 WPF REF

PLAYER 1

WPC16-000 Willem Stolk WPC16-000 Dustin Schoene

Team Hiros Yacht PLAYER 2

WPF REF

Jochem Myjer Johannes Dietel

WPC16-000 Andras Forgo WPC16-000 Zoltan Kemecsei

Team Shimano 2 WPF REF

PLAYER 1

WPC16-000 Jan Boomsma WPC16-000 Matt Boast

PLAYER 2

Chris Bloemert Stuart Dexter

PLAYER 1

PLAYER 2

Attila Farkas Antal Csoka

Team Reuben Heaton/Eagle Claw WPF REF

PLAYER 1

WPC16-000 Marcel Asbroek WPC16-000 Freek Oosterhuis

PLAYER 2

Nils Gabsa Mirabel Nuis-Roobol

Team Tracker Boats WPF REF

PLAYER 1

WPC16-000 Helmut Schoddel WPC16-000 Darius Ostendarp

PLAYER 2

Enrico Di Ventura Larysa Switlyk

Team Nitro Boats WPF REF

PLAYER 1

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WPC16-000 Roman Konopitzky WPC16-000 Rutger Sellies

PLAYER 2

Oliver Hochrathner Rocky Van Duijven-

IT’S ALL ABOUT

TEAMW

TEAM BUILDING: WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC TEAM EVENT

The Team Events at the World Predator Classic adds an extra dimension and an nail-biting element for the competitors and sponsors taking part ... just make sure you can handle the excitement!

A team consists of two boats - which represents four participating anglers - and alongside the main event, they will also be competing in the Team Event for a separate, team prize and trophy.

Winning the Team Event will require a lot of hard work and, of course, good teamwork. Past experience in other events organised by Angling Spirit tells us that the Team Event will be fiercely contested and the bragging rights, for contestants and sponsors alike, will undoubtedly garner a great deal of satisfaction for the winning team.

It will be really interesting to watch the developments over the three days of the event, it all starts at the draw on the first night, a draw that will determine which zones, and in which order they will be fished.

Will there be boats from the same team in the same zone?‌ If they are, how are

they going to fish? Will they be going to fish together or will the tactics be to fish in different areas and then let the other boat know what they are catching?

This will be very exciting to follow as the tournament unfolds, not only for the anglers but also for the onlookers.

Following one boat is fairly straightforward, but following two, simultaneously, whilst tracking their progress against other teams, is sure to be dramatic!

With four anglers in a team, all catching fish, fortunes can swing very quickly and we envisage that this event could go right to the wire on the last day.

The eventual winners of the Team Event will be determined by the total combined length of fish caught and recorded by each of the two boats over the three days of the event.

No health warnings will be announced prior to or during the event, so please be very sure that you can endure this level of excitement!

TEAM EVENT

KAYAK Team Shimano WPF REF

PLAYER

WPC16-000 Dennis Kieselhorst WPC16-000 Jens Jurgens

Team Reuben WPF REF

PLAYER

WPC16-000 David Morris WPC16-000 Ian Harris

Team Poland WPF REF

PLAYER

WPC16-000 Piotr Wojnowski WPC16-000 Tomasz Kurnik

Team Biwaa WPF REF

PLAYER

WPC16-000 Willemijn Vollebregt WPC16-000 Maurits Vollebregt

Team Alcedo WPF REF

PLAYER

WPC16-000 Herve Martin WPC16-000 Mael Martin

Team Winkel WPF REF

PLAYER

WPC16-000 Bernard Provilij WPC16-000 Ies Dubbeldam

ORK

teamRA

World Predator Classic: RAPALA’S TOP TEAM

Meet the anglers representing Rapala Petri Varis has been fishing on the Finnish archipelago for more than thirty years. He specializes in pike and zander fishing. Petri has been competing in trolling competitions for several years and worked as a part time fishing guide. He has been fishing all over the world so all the fishing techniques are familiar to him.

Arnaud Brière and Laurent Vrignaud

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‘‘

Markku and Antti are skilled anglers with many years’ experience and are used to fishing in bodies of water where the fishing pressure is high

Markku Tiusanen and Antti Anttila Representing Team Rapala Finland we have a couple of familiar faces from previous WPCs’ podium finishes: Markku Tiusanen and Antti Anttila. In the first year of the WPC they finished in third place and won the Team event with Team Rapala France.

Last year they were again able to repeat their success in competition, finishing fourth in the event and winning another championship in the Team event. They are skilled anglers with many years’ experience as professional fishing guides, and are used to fishing in bodies of water where the fishing pressure is high. This has been shown to make the biggest difference in the competition.

Benjamin Castets and Petri Varis Team Rapala & VMC is full of experience and know-how. Rapala-VMC Pro Staff Benjamin Castets brings to the team lot of knowledge on different water types, and Petri Varis from Rapala has the know-how on lures.

This combination gives them the upper hand in challenging fishing conditions. They see the WPC as a challenge of their knowledge and skills and will give their best for the brands they love.

Benjamin Castets lives in Eastern France and has been fishing since he was a little boy.

He started fishing for trout and white fish, before specializing in predator lure fishing. He spent several years on the French Float Tube and Boat National tournament circuit with various victories. Today he shares his passion for fishing on his Youtube channel. He is very happy to participate in the WPC with Petri to represent Rapala VMC and share the tournament experience from the inside.

Arnaud Brière has been a Pro Guide in France for more than 15 years, close to Paris, on the famous River Seine.

Anglers join him to learn to fish for pike, perch, sander and catfish. He also manages one of the biggest pike fishing camps in Ireland – Esox Club where he lives for part of the year. Since 2014 he has also managed a saltwater camp in Ireland, named FICH, that is “Fishing In Cork Harbour”.

Sea bass and pollack are the main quarries.

Wherever he is, Arnaud specialises in all kinds of artificial lure fishing. In 2001, he joined the Rapala France Pro Staff Team and is now the longest serving member. On top of that, Arnaud writes in Brochet Sandre Magazine, a French predator fishing magazine. Despite being a top angler Arnaud does not usually take part in tournaments, except in the WPC for which he is very proud to be a Rapala ambassador.

His partner, Laurent Vrignaud, is a famous freshwater guide in France. Laurent lives in Vendée, in the West. He mainly fishes for predators (pike, sander and perch) with hardbaits, softbaits and jigs. He is also expert in spinning, vertical fishing and “plomb palette” techniques. Laurent teaches children and teenagers to fish at various fish camps. He also teaches pole and feeder techniques.

He has been a Rapala France Pro Staff member since 2013. In addition, Laurent now takes part in local tournaments with his son. He was very pleased when he had the opportunity to join the WPC Rapala Teams with Arnaud. Both of them are top anglers and make a very good team with one goal: to win. They had very good results in 2014 and 2015, and are even more motivated for 2016.

Bring it on.. After good results in the last two years, Arnaud and Laurent have their eye on the prize

APALA at this year’s World Predator Classic

Man in the know.. Mathias Holgersson

Mathias Holgersson and Mikko Seppänen

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In 2016 Team Rapala Russia will be represented by Andrew Donskov – a member of all the previous WPC championships, and a new fisherman Andrey Medvedev, who is a winner of many spinning competitions in Russia.

These guys are professionals with many years’ experience of predator fishing.

They have got every chance to win in WPC 2016!

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

Andrey Donskov and Andrey Medvedev

Mathias Holgersson is 31 years old and has been fishing nearly his whole life.

He started at the age of six with trout and grayling “on the fly,” and by the age of 16 the bigger predators were attracting his attention. His first season started with a 131cm pike on the fly, and from that moment predators have become 100% of his fishing life. At the age of 22 Mathias founded “Lake Runn Fishing Resort”. Today this is one of the most visited predator resorts in Sweden. For the last eight years he has been guiding people from all over the world to great fishing memories.

Mathias has been a member of the “Rapala ProGuide team” in Sweden for the last five years. His job is to pass on his knowledge of fishing and fishing techniques to the Swedish people. Sweden has great pike fishing, but still Mathias travels to catch predators in other countries like Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, USA and Canada. Mathias will join this event with a great desire to learn, and make sure he has a great time with all the other competitors.

When Mikko Seppänen was a small child his grandfather, who was a passionate angler, taught him how to fish. He has been in love with the hobby ever since.

From that day on he has constantly been developing his skills and techniques and has spent countless hours on rivers and lakes building upon his experience and testing new theories. For the last seven years or so he has been targeting the larger specimens, and with a sports background in football and power lifting it’s a natural step for him to start to compete in fishing competitions.

Predatory fish like pike, perch and zander have always been exiting for him, and therefore comprise the majority of his fishing targets. Since details are important to him, a hobby inside the hobby has been to develop gear that suits him, and makes his fishing more efficient. He is constantly trying to improve his fishing techniques.

There are no limits in fishing and no one can ever totally master it, that’s why it is the greatest sport in the world he says!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE: WITH JARO CELLS

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WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

STAY IN

CHARGE Thinking of switching To Lithium Batteries?

Unlock LiFePO4’s full potential with JAROCELLS and don’t waste another minute powering your applications with lead acid batteries

Electronics are developing fast and also propulsion is more and more electrically driven.

Only one thing is still originating from the 19th century, the lead batteries. There is not a single EV or smartphone in the world using a lead battery as energy source and with a good reason. The lead based batteries are heavy combined with a short life span and poor performance.

Christian Biereth from SWAT is always looking for the best technology and decided for this reason to exchange his lead batteries in his Nitro Z9 to the newest generation of Li-ion batteries from JAROCELLS. Doubling the amount of energy while loosing half the weight is the result. And all this with a better performance.

Jan Vermeulen is the Co founder of JAROCELLS, a company that specializes in Lithium solutions for yachting, angling and mobile energy, producing and importing lithium batteries for the Leisure market.

Many Yachts are sailing around the world equiped with their Lithium service batteries and the Lithium cases for trolling motors in Carper fishing scene are famous. They only use the safest and certified Lithium Iron

Phosphate batteries in their applications.

For the Predator Fishing market JARCOCELLS offer 12V and 24V “drop in exchange” batteries to replace your standard lead batteries. All the JAOCELLS batteries are equiped with BlueTooth functionality so that they can be monitored with your smartphone or tablet.

Why Li-ion Batteries?

Life Cycle: On average our Li-ion batteries have a life span of 2000 cycles, 4 times more than the avarage Lead Acid battery.

Performance: The voltage of a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery is stable within 1 V from full to empty.

No Peukert factor: This means the amount

Li-ion’s well worth it’s weight There is no stopping the relentless march of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in e-vehicles. The use of Li-ion technology is no longer limited to high-performance batteries for e-vehicles. Li-ion batteries are now also available on the market for marine and leisure power supply systems.

This comes as no surprise given the obvious benefits offered by Liion technology. In addition to their lower weight, Li-ion batteries are able to handle fast charging and they retain more power. In addition,

of energy that can be used is not depending on how fast you discharge your battery. A lead based battery has to be charged to and kept full to prevent loss of performance or capacity. Li-ion batteries can be left in every state of charge.

Unbeatable charging capabilities: How fast you charge is only depending on the size of the charger, the Li-ion batteries accept charging in one hour. More than 95% of the charged energy can be reused.

Cost of ownership: When the costsprice per Wh is calculated over the cycle life of the battery, the Li-ion battery can easely compete with lead based batteries.

Out with the old ..

Old: Lead AGM battery 110Ah, weight 34kg, useabel energy approx. 780Wh Battery is used for starting and service. Three Optima Blue tops 75Ah to drive the 36V trolling motor, Total weight 81kg, useable energy approx. 1500Wh New: Starter JAROCELLS Li-ion battery of 40Ah, weight 6kg, combined with a JAROCELLS Li-ion service battery of 100Ah, Total weight together 18,8kg, useable energy 1610 Wh. Three JAROCELLS 100Ah for the 36V trolling motor, total weight 38 kg, useable energy 3460Wh.

‘‘

A Jarocell battery is not disposable .. It’s a modern piece of energy storage equipment that will serve your electrical equipment throughout it’s life Jan Vermeulen

Overview

BEFORE

Total Weight 124kg 2580 Wh Usable Energy Starter Battery NO Service Battery YES

AFTER

57kg 5070 Wh YES YES

Li-ion batteries offer distinct benefits. While the life expectancy of lead-acid batteries – which are subject to constant stress from repetitive charging and discharging – is only approximately to 2 to 5 years, tests have shown that Li-ion batteries can withstand robust use for 10 years or more.

The Advantages of Li-ion (LiFePO4) batteries compared with lead based batteries: l 4 Times stronger and 4 times lighter l 4-6 Times longer life than lead acid, measured in cycles l Up to ½ to 2 hour recharge times: 4 times Faster l Unbeatable performance during its life span l Only half the voltage drop during discharge l Higher initial cost, Lower cost-ofownership l Available in any voltage l Safer than any lead acid battery l An Eco-Friendly Green Battery

REUBEN HEATON: TOTAL WEIGHING SOLUTIONS

WEIGH FORWARD

working with inanimate objects; they sit still and allow you to weigh them, there’s no movement, no water and not much in the way of external factors to affect your results. With angling it’s much more of a challenge and we’re setting out to improve the process where we can with weighing accessories specifically designed to minimise the external factors that can cause error”, says Reuben Heaton’s Managing Director, Andrew Race

Modern angling requirements for recording captures have now gone beyond simple weigh slings. Conservation, catch and release and data recording are now the core elements that need to be engineered into the products used in this process.

‘‘

Weights and Measures Measurement of fish length is now an integral part of catch and release programmes and angling events worldwide such as the World Predator Classic. The TWS project will eventually include a range fish measures covering both pleasure angling and competition level solutions with applications for both bank and boat anglers.

For more information on the Total Weighing Solutions project and forthcoming products visit www.reubenheaton.com For all the latest news, reviews and what’s new in the world of Reuben Heaton visit us on Facebook or Twitter.

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Accurate recording of data is easy when working with inanimate objects .. with angling it’s much more of a challenge

The Total Weighing Solutions (TWS) project focuses on developing not only future scales models, but also a complementary range of integrated weighing systems and accessories tailor-made for the weighing, measuring and recording process during fish capture. TWS will work with consultants, agents and fieldworkers from both the environmental and angling arenas to develop future-proof weighing products to cope with the external factors affecting the capture process.

“Every year we see new developments within the various disciplines in angling that require specialist weighing and measuring products. In some cases, the products required are similar too but not the same as the traditional products for others it’s a totally new product. We are working on products for both leisure and match anglers, for use in saltwater and freshwater”.

“Accurate recording of data is easy when

procedures.

Reuben Heaton scales are instrumental in the weighing in process for many events worldwide. Live coverage of events means that pressure for efficient and safe weighing processes is greater than ever. In addition many modern fisheries now impose weight restrictions on individual keep net weights. TWS will target these situations and develop solutions to suit.

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

TWS Worldwide Reuben Heaton’s Total Weighing Solutions project With an increase in catch and release focuses on a range of integrated weighing systems and programmes around the world, safe effective weighing products are a must. The TWS project accessories tailor-made for the weighing, measuring will work in conjunction with organisations and events worldwide to develop safe handling and recording process during fish capture processes that can be adopted as standard

OFFICIAL GLOBAL EVENT

PARTNERS The organisers of the World Predator Classic would like to thank all the Official Sponsors and Support Partners who have helped to make this 2016 event possible

Global Event Partner

Rapala has been the world’s favorite fishing lure since 1936. Today, Rapala lures, knives, tools and accessories are trusted by fishermen in over 140 countries... “Better than it has to be” is the standard by which we measure our products. www.rapala.com

Official Engine

Since 1939, Mercury has consistently emphasized quality, performance, innovation and reliability. Today, that pledge remains as strong as ever. The success of Mercury Marine has not occurred by chance. www.mercurymarine.com

Global Event Partner

Globally recognised giant, Shimano, founded in 1921, launched the sale of fishing tackle abroad in 1978, from which time the company has earned a worldwide reputation in the world of angling for its superior quality products. www.shimano.com

Official Boat: As part of the Bass Pro

Shops/Tracker Marine Group family, TRACKER Boats take decades of top-tier innovations, quality and performance and weave them into every single model to produce a line-up of performance fishing boats absolutely loaded with value. www.trackerboats.com

Official Tackle Box

Plano appreciate the passion outdoorsmen possess because we are a company built on that same passion and love for the outdoors. www.planomolding.com

Official Electronics Partner

Lowrance has been a leader in marine electronics since it invented the first consumer sonar device in 1957 -- The Little Green Box. In the years since, Lowrance has never wavered from its purpose to push the envelope of innovative performance to help anglers find and catch more fish. www.lowrance.com

Official Hook: VMC Official Trailer Partner

In 1955, on the outskirts of Rotterdam, PEGA began life as small manufacturer. The company now developes, produces and supplies boat trailers and is now a leading international supplier of boat trailers. www.pegabv.nl

VMC is a French hook manufacturer and world leader with 100 years experience in hook making. Today, VMC hooks are distributed in over 70 countries to anglers and the world’s most popular fishing lure brands. VMC is a member of the RAPALA VMC Group of Companies. www.vmcpeche.com

Official Eyewear

WileyX is a global leader of optical technology with 39 different polarized fishing eyeware models with 100% field of vision without any distortion www.wileyx.eu

Official Weights & Measures

Reuben Heaton has had its roots in the angling industry since1857 by its namesake Reuben George Heaton.

Predominantly it was a manufacturer of fishing reels, but this manufacturing base was quickly extended to cover many other items of angling equipment.

Heaton’s continue to manufacture in the UK, an aspect of the company that after 150 years, we are very proud of.

In addition, Heaton’s now import and export scales all around the world. www.reubenheaton.co.uk

WORLD PREDATOR CLASSIC: SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Hobie Fishing

Since 1950, from our headquarters in California, Hobie Cat Company has manufactured and distributed an impressive collection of watercraft worldwide. www.hobiefishing.com

Elite Power Solutions

JAROCELLS is specialist in yachting, angling and mobile energy solutions, offering the most modern and safe Li-ion batteries to replace your lead based batteries. Don’t waste another minute powering your equipment with lead acid batteries.

Jarocells/Elite Power http://

Official Life Jacket

Fladen fishing has the ambition to make your fishing a pleasant experience. We buy from the world of leading factories without costly middlemen. Therefore we can give you better value for money.

Fladen -www.fladenfishing.org.

Real Trophy

Fish replicas made with great attention to the details. Life-like looks make it a beautiful souvenir of any fishing trip. www.facebook.com/Real Trophy

Official Accommodation

The spacious resort is set amid plenty of water and greenery just 15 to 20 minutes by car from the Europoort, Maasvlakte, the Botlekgebeid and the Tweede Maasvlakte. www.cittaromana.com

Official Host venue

The vast Haringvliet inlet has played an important role in the history of Hellevoetsluis; earning it the name of a ‘Fortification town on the Haringvliet’.

The Vesting fortress with its harbours and fortifications is steeped in history. www.hellevoetsluis.nl

De Catfish

A well established tackle shop located near to the Voornse Kanaal, Hellevoetsluis, to meet all of your angling needs. www.de-catfish.nl

Hengelsportvereniging Het Voornse Kanaal Local Fish federation

Official Event Marina

Secure mooring in Hellevoetsluis for all participants’ boats. www.marina-capehelius.nl

Suppliers of professional stage equipment providing the sound and stage equipment for the Hooked on Rock event. www.hoi4u-rental.eu

Sportvisserij Zuidwest Nederland

(Dutch National fishing Federation) promotes national and international interests of sport fishing. www.sportvisserijzwn.nl

P&O Ferries

– Providing first class cross channel services that remain the premier choice of Angling Spirit. For routes and timetables. www.poferries.com

Dry dock Jaan Blanken

Following its restoration, dry dock Jan Blanken, more than 230 ships, both historical and contemporary ships have been docked here. www.droogdok.nl.

Hoi4u

Camping ‘t Weergors

We are looking forward to welcoming you in Hellevoetsluis. Our website just gives you a foretaste of everything we have to offer you. www.weergors.nl

Wellantcollage sportsvisacademie

(Dutch Fisheries collage) Providing the vitally important Event Marshaling Team. www.wellant.nl

Angling Knots

Chasing big fish with big lures or fly fishing in high mountain streams?

You should find the right fishing knots here. www.anglingknots.com

IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN: LOWRANCE ELITE TI SERIES

Spend less time searching and more time fishing with the Elite Ti series of high performance fishfinders from Lowrance ...

The Elite Ti Series from Lowrance An unbeatable family of standalone Fishfinder and combination Chartplotters.

So named for the Touch Imaging technology that the series offers, the Elite Ti series offers anglers the power to catch fish, fast. Whether you have a kayak and are looking for a companion on the waterways, or have the need for a CHIRP equipped system to ensure the biggest catch, the Elite Ti Series has it all and is perfect for anglers who want great performance from a single unit.

The Elite-Ti series features 7-inch and 5-inch standalone displays that include a touchscreen with easy-to-use interface, CHIRP Sonar, StructureScan® HD, SideScan and

the Elite Ti series offers anglers the power to catch fish, fast

Elite Ti Display.. great performance from a single unit

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DownScan Imaging™, built-in GPS antenna and a wide range of highdefinition mapping options.

Integrated wireless connectivity allows boaters to not only download software updates directly to the unit, but also gives them the capability to download Insight Genesis custom maps directly to the Chartplotter for immediate use.

Combining high-end features with powerful performance at an affordable price the Lowrance Elite-7 Ti and Elite-5 Ti Fishfinder/ Chartplotters are designed to allow you to enjoy every moment spent on the water, whether fishing or motoring to your favorite spots.

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

TIME TO JOIN THE ELITE

JIG AND REEL: DANIEL WAN’S TOP TEN JIGGING TIPS

let’s get

JIGGING WITH IT!

10 tips to improve your light jigging experience diameter. On days when the fishing is tough, it pays to consider downsizing the line breaking strain and leader to a subtler presentation. Many anglers recommend Sufix 832 braid with its GORE fibers as the perfect compromise between diameter and strength.

So you heard about this thing called “Micro Jigging”, or “Light Jigging” and decided to give it a try?

You’ve been and purchased the latest and greatest light jigging rod available, plus a spanking new reel loaded with doubledigit bearings. You’ve even loaded up your jig bag with proven branded jigs endorsed by the jigging pros but you’re still not getting the results promised to you from other online articles. The pros make it seem so easy with great catches on jig during every light jigging outing… What’s up with that?

Here are some general yet practical tips that may help you improve your light jigging results:

4. Use Fluorocarbon leader

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1. Leave the bait at home If you’ve brought some bait along “just in case the fish aren’t hitting jigs”, chances are you’ll use it. Intentionally embark on your fishing trip with only jigs on the end of your line and in your tackle box. You’ll have no choice but to jig throughout the trip and statistically, the longer your jig stays in the water, the higher your chances of getting catching that fish.

2. Keep an eye on the sonar The sonar is a very useful piece of equipment that can reveal plenty of information such as depth, bottom structure and the presence of fish. Should a school of big fish appear at a specific depth, you can quickly deploy your jig and watch it on your sonar screen as it descends, stopping it right in the middle of where you believe the fish to be. This can maximize your chances of the fish spotting your jig.

3. Use the thinnest diameter line you can get away with A thinner diameter line has less resistance in water compared to a line with thicker diameter, giving you more control over the jig on the drop in fast current. Sure, you may get the occasional bust-off from a monster fish from time to time, but a thinner line will get your jig down to the group of fish appearing on the sonar faster without being dragged off target by the current compared to a line with a thicker

Daniel Wan has been fishing since the age of 12 and has a deep passion for fishing with artificial lures – especially lighttackle jigging. Daniel left the IT industry to follow his passion for fishing, photography and writing. He was a member of the Rapala Southeast Asia fishing team for 9 years before joining Fish On! Magazine as its Editor

Fish can be leader shy! Fluorocarbon leaders have a lower refractive index than ordinary monofilament leaders and therefore, are less visible underwater. Good quality fluorocarbon leaders have good abrasion resistance and strength, yet are still soft and easy to tie. What poundage to use really depends on the targeted species and the terrain. If the targeted fish do not have rough, abrasive lips such as Longfin Trevally, you may use fluorocarbon leaders as light as 10-15lb. These fish don’t always hug the bottom and therefore getting your leader roughed out or even cut off on the reef bottom is highly unlikely. On the other hand, if you’re targeting species such as Snappers and cave-or-bottom-dwelling reef fish, it makes sense to use fluorocarbon leaders of 20-25lb (or more depending on how rough the terrain is).

5. Match the hatch It’s an advantage to know what the targeted fish are feeding on in a particular location and to match your jig profile to the primary food source. For example, if you’re targeting pelagic predators that are hunting fastmoving bait such as scad, herring or pilchards, it makes sense to choose a jig of a similar shape and size. Likewise, if you hear that most bait fishermen have been catching their target species with squid, then a suitable jig would be one that has a broader profile.

6. Understand what action your jig is capable of Matching your jig to the size and profile of the bait is only part of the equation.

Understanding what action your jig is capable of is another crucial key to success. Each jig is designed with specific

JIG AND REEL: DANIEL WAN’S TOP TEN JIGGING TIPS

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Know what your jig can do.. each jig is designed with specific movements in mind, whether retrieved, jerked or falling

movements in mind, whether retrieved, jerked or falling. Therefore, it is important to know what kind of action you can get out of these jigs, and to be able to work them in the most seductive manner that’s likely to accurately imitate the local baitfish.

Speed jigs such as the Storm Gomoku Super tend to arouse the hunting instinct of predators that love chasing down frightened or stressed prey (Queenfish and mackerel come to mind), whereas jigs that flutter on the fall, like the Storm Gomoku Koika, often trigger the opportunistic behaviour of predators - It is always easier to consume a crippled prey than to expand their energy chasing down a lively one.

Whatever your jig selection may be; always match the size, profile and action of the jig (and jigging speed/stroke) accordingly to the movement of the prey of your targeted species.

7. Different strokes for different folks There’s no single jigging stroke that can catch all fish. Some fish respond to very fast jigging speeds. At times, they may prefer short, sharp flicks of the rod tip with very subtle retrieve and sometimes they can prefer slow jigging strokes. These require experimenting to see which retrieve method works for you for your targeted species. Just remember to have the appropriate jig tied on for your selected retrieve so that you get the right action (fast jigs for fast retrieves, and flutter-style jigs for slower, more relaxed retrieves).

8. The bow and stern are good positions on the drift If you’ve been fishing often enough with most experienced charter captains who are

equally enthusiastic as you are to fish, Speed jigs such as you’ll notice they always love jigging from the bow or the stern of the boat. These are as the Storm great positions to be at especially in fast Gomoku Super drifts as you can cast the jig up current and working it before the boat drifts over. tend to arouse begin This is a distinct advantage as your jig stays in the water longer compared to the the hunting anglers positioned at the middle of the instinct of boat. Additionally, the jigs up current will cover new water first compared to those jigs predators dropped from the middle of the boat. that love 9. Pick the appropriate tides chasing down Certain tides are more favourable than others and these can differ from location to frightened or location. If you’re on a charter boat, then it’s always a good idea to check with the fishing stressed prey

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charter skipper on which are the best tides for targeting certain species, for your own future knowledge.

If you’re fishing a new spot without much information on hand, it’s a good idea to

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Intentionally embark on your fishing trip with only jigs on the end of your line and in your tackle box

keep a journal or log book to record which moon phase, time and tide that produces the best results. Over time, you’ll be able to make out a consistent pattern to determine which dates are better.

It’s also handy to know that pelagic fish tend to be more active a few days before the new and full moons, and less active for a few days after; so it’s ideal if you time your jigging trip around these phases if you’re after pelagics.

There are fishing calendar apps available these days on IOS or Android that can recommend some ideal dates and times for fishing based on the Solunar Theory.

sudden at the change of tide after 8 hours of dragging and dropping your jig all over the ocean.

Successful anglers never quit and perseverance will pay off. Eventually with enough experience, you will formulate a comprehensive understanding of how your target species feed and react to certain environmental variables, allowing you to plan your fishing trips around the optimal “bite time”… but until then, tight lines and happy jigging!

DANIEL WAN Editor Fish On! Magazine

10. Never give up!

It’s often tempting to throw in the towel when the fish aren’t hitting the jigs. In such situations, don’t give up. Keep on jigging!

Sometimes the jigging can be totally off for the entire day only to fire up all of a

Get the drift.. jigging from the bow or stern of the boat are great positions especially in fast drifts

CALM BEFORE THE STORM... BIG PLANS FOR STORM BAITS

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Over the past two years, the Storm lure company has invested heavily into their new, advanced factory; and returned much of its attention towards developing and manufacturing some of the most innovative soft bait designs that the market has seen – and the focus is BIG.

Predator angling is on everyone’s mind.

With the summer months looming and events like 2016’s WPC bringing fresh action to your living room; reminding you of what opportunities await outdoors as pike, perch & zander become more active during the longer, warmer days. Storm understands this, and has chosen the 2016 World Predator Classic as the official launching platform for a number of early-release new products directly catering to these energetic summer species.

The R.I.P. series started with just an unrigged 6 and 8-inch Shad in 2013, with an 8-inch Curly Tail being introduced last year. 2016 WPC releases will see the 6-inch Curly Tail make its debut, allowing anglers to present a slightly smaller profile for when fish are wary, or feeding on smaller bait.

Storm’s R.I.P. Curly Tail offers one of the biggest tail-to-body ratios on the market. Its oversized tail draws an incredible amount of water as you slowly roll it back, causing the body to roll side-to-side with enormous presence. A ribbed side and belly adds vibration, making the lure seem bigger than it really is, yet smaller and easier to handle on the end of your line.

These 6 and 8-inch R.I.P. baits come unrigged for your own rigging pleasure with whatever hook & weight configuration that you see fit for your style of fishing, however in order to make the most of the inbuilt lure actions, and to make rigging easier; Storm will release the new R.I.P. Rigger

STORM ‘A BREWING..

There are plans afoot within the Storm Lure Company and they’re going to be big!

in 4 color options to compliment your chosen R.I.P. soft bait, or almost any other 6 to 8-inch bait on the market. This rig has been designed to enhance and stabilize the swimming action of any soft bait, which it does through the delicate positioning of its internal weight system and overall shape of the head.

R.I.P. Rigger includes a weighted molded head with fixed attachment screw, secured to an 80lb wire rig with two 2/0 black nickel VMC treble hooks. The entire rig measures 15cm and weighs 27 grams, taking your baits to a fishable depth of approximately 1-2m. Rigging is simply executed by removing and replacing the soft bait head with the R.I.P. Rigger, followed by securing the VMC hooks to the body. Instructions are illustrated with a 2-step diagram on the package of every R.I.P. Rigger.

Storm has an established angling & research team in Scandinavia who are constantly developing & testing superior products to tempt these gargantuan species; one recent result of this being the new Split Tail Seeker Shad 8 inch, which is a variant of last year’s popular Giant Tail Seeker Shad.

The STSS (Split Tail Seeker Shad) takes the giant tail of the GTSS (Giant Tail Seeker Shad), and splits it in half – sounds simple enough? Well it’s more complex than that.

Storm engineers were asked to make the GTSS work at extremely slow speeds, to be fished with a subtle stop-and-go technique.

In order to get the lure to do this and maintain its huge underwater silhouette, lure designers added resistance bulbs to the end of each of the two tails, and made one tail significantly bigger than the other.

This achieves the perfect combination of super-slow action with maximum action & presence. The STSS measures 20cm, weighing 80g; and like the GTSS includes Storm’s internal buoyancy/rattle chamber and is rigged with VMC back and belly hooks.

Ask your local tackle store for these new products during this year’s WPC, or visit storm.fishing to learn more.

IN SAFE HANDS: WITH TRANS GLOBAL LOGISTICS Here it comes.. we entrusted our precious Prize Tracker boat to Trans Global

GLOBE TROTTERS

In an industry dominated by men, Trans Global Logistic Services stands out, not only for their exceptional service and track record but because their captain at the helm is a female who runs a tight ship.

In safe hands.. Tracker, Nautique and Chris Craft trust Trans Global Logistics to ship their products

experience and trusted relationships.

Aldo’s vision was larger than just shipping. Damaged cargo represents an annual loss of $5 billion annually.

The majority of these losses occur due to improper packing. Aldo did not want Trans Global’s clients to be a part of this statistic. Reaching out to Matt Saer who specialized in boat packing, they formed Oceans International. Now Trans Global in alliance with Oceans offer a proprietary packing system unavailable with any other company.

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However, don’t let Kay’s easy smile and warm personality fool you. This is but one side of this leader. The other side is a fierce and passionate business person who takes no prisoners. Kay has high expectations of herself and of those around her and this is what has made her so successful in this male dominated field. These expectations are why companies like Tracker, Nautique, Stingray, and Chris Craft trust Trans Global to ship their product to their dealers around the world.

Originally, known for their expertise in shipping automobiles, Trans Global added shipping boats to their repertoire when Kay’s son, Aldo, noticed the shortage of companies specializing in smaller watercraft. Wanting to achieve the same superior reputation for shipping boats, Aldo sought out the best in the business.

In 2012, Kathy Morris joined the Trans Global team bringing with her 25 years of

At Trans Global, fishing and boats are in the blood of the employees. While the headquarters of Trans Global is located in Dallas, the boating division of Trans Global shares their home with WPC’s own Patrick Crawford in Charleston, SC. We would like to salute the services of Trans Global once again! Over many years now, our Tracker Marine Group International dealers have taken advantage of their great rates and incredibly dedicated service team.

Our fine dealer in Germany, Bass Boat Germany, will soon receive a Tournament boat that was handled by Kathy Morris and the team in the Charleston office. Many thanks for the attention to the myriad of details involved in getting this boat to Europe, where it will serve as a prize boat at the World Predator Classic.

Danke Schoen and best of luck to the Bass Boat Germany Team!

WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM

When you need to transport your precious cargo around the world, you want a company with an exceptional track record and that’s why boat builders choose Trans Global

ANGLING SPIRIT: MAKING A DIFFERENCE RESPONSIBLY

RAISING OUR

SPIRITS ‘‘

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As well as the World Predator Classic, the World Carp Classic and the World Carp Classic Junior Events also come under the umbrella of Angling Spirit

The ethos of Angling Spirit is to promote angling in a responsible manner; to organise and stage events with the betterment of angling as our focus.

Our aim is to make a difference, responsibly, and we are very well aware of the fact that our status, not only in respect of the angling world but in the eyes of the general public, places a significant onus upon us to ensure that angling is looked upon in a favourable light.

In line with this ethos, Angling Spirit will continue to be environmentally responsible and our events will be staged accordingly. Angling Spirit is synonymous with best practice angling and sportsmanship, and our event rules will at all times uphold the true spirit of international competition. We are proud of the events that we have established and the high benchmarks they have set.

The World Carp Classic was established in 1998 and has become the biggest, most prestigious and popular carp angling event in the world. Perhaps of equal importance to us, it has become known affectionately throughout

the carping community as being far more than an angling competition. Uniquely, it is endorsed by many to be a celebration of angling with an amazing festival atmosphere. That is something that we can all be justifiably proud of.

The World Carp Classic is now entering its 19th event. This is the largest carp fishing competition in the world with over 100 teams fishing at the side of a lake twenty-four hours a day for four days solid. This year will be held in the Czech Republic for the first time. We are very excited to be working with Jakub Vagner international fishing celebrity.

Having sold out this event in just three weeks. We’ve already launched the World Carp Classic 2017 Super Cup, where we aim to have 250 competing teams spread over the two sister lakes, of which the first is being used for this year’s event.

Last year was also the first year of our World Carp classic Junior event. Young anglers aged 10-18 years of age representing 14 countries took part in a three-day event at Lake Katlov, Jakub Vagner’s private lake near Kuta Hora in the Czech Republic. The team from Italy won the event after a very close battle with the local hospital team. The event was a fundraiser for the Motol Hospital in Prague, which will help to purchase much-needed equipment. The event was free for the young anglers as all of the kit and bait that they needed to be was supplied free of charge by our generous sponsors.

Family values..

Last year we held our first ever World Carp Classic Junior event at Lake Katlov, where we raised funds for Praque’s Motol Hospital