Hobie kayak "Fishing Team"

I  just had the pleasure to be signed on to Hobie Kayak's Fishing team.  While on the team I'll be able to work with Hobie and Mariner Sales to promote the great sport of kayak fishing. This will be a great opportunity for me to work with two great like minded companies in the the next coming year.  A huge thank you goes out to Mike and Aris at Mariner sales. I wouldn't have been able to do this with out your unselfish help.

Here's a picture and write-up from Mariner Sales site.

Mariner Sails

Congratulations to Shaun Russell for being the newest member of the national Hobie Kayak Fishing Team. Pictured with Shaun is Aris Tsamis, owner of Mariner Sails, presenting Shaun with his official Hobie Kayak Fishing Team apparel.

Shaun will be a roving ambassador for both Mariner Sails and Hobie Kayaks at various regional fishing tournaments, goodwill events, and trade shows. In addition to his passion for fishing, Shaun is also personally involved with sharing that love to do good for others, including Heroes On The Water, RISE, and several other projects involving introducing at risk and children of wounded war vets.

Texoma in December

 A few friends and I decide to take a trip to lake Texoma to chase stripers this last weekend. As we loaded up the kayaks for just a brief moment,,,, I questioned my sanity.

When we put in at the boat ramp it was 29 degrees.. Below freezing out on a kayak in a huge lake. What was I thinking..........

It turned out to be a great day though. It warmed up to 50degrees and about a 5MPH north breeze. We had 10-11 Kayakers out this time.

It was great to be out with so many fellow kayak fisherman at one time. I hope this next coming year this number grows.

We covered a lot of water but just couldn't connect with any stripers. Well I take that back. Zombie did catch ONE monster!!

It didn't seem to matter though. We just paddled around the lake and sometimes we didn't even have a rod out the rod holders. Just chatting and enjoying the sunny skies and what God had given us that day.

 
We did pull up to some rocks on the bank and saw a pair of foxes sunbathing.

This was the first time for me to be out in my new Pro Angler.

It didn't matter that I only was able to catch just one drum for the whole time I was out there.

It was a joy to be peddling around and getting use to my new ride. Hobie hit one out of the ballpark with the Pro Angler. This is one awesome ride!!! :)

At one point I just stopped peddling. I paused and looked around................I took a moment to soak in the sun, the lake, and the day.  I saw that I was surrounded by so many great friends and realized I truly am a blessed man! Thank you God.

2012 Hobie Pro Angler

Well, I've really enjoyed fishing out of the Hobie Outback in 2011 but I have a goal to fish in bass tournaments in 2012. In order to do that I'll have to have a live well to keep the bass alive. The additional weight will add up quick so I decided to get a Pro Angler. with the PA comes a 600lb weight capacity. That will come in necessary with the addition of a 15-20gallon livewell.
So I went to Mariner Sales last week and picked up my 2012 Ivory Dune Pro angler.

                                                   Here's me at Mariner Sales thinking about it.

                          Sitting down in my PA fore the first time. It's incredible how much leg room it has.

                                          Aris having me sign the paperwork to make the PA official.

Well I had to boot Santa out of the PA to take her home. He will have to find another sleigh to ride in for Christmas. LOL!!

I can't say enough about the great customer service provided by Aris and Mike at Mariner Sales. These guys have been doing this for awhile and it shows.