OCEANSIDE, California – May 20, 2014 - As announced earlier, the Hobie Bass Open qualifier for the Hobie Fishing Worlds IV will be held at the Kentucky Lake Dam Village State Resort Park in Kentucky, May 30-June 1. The qualifying event will offer competitors the chance to join Hobie Fishing Team Captain, Justin Carter, and 2013 IFA Champion, Steve Lassard, to represent Team USA at the Hobie Fishing Worlds in Amsterdam, Netherlands, October 6-10, 2014.  The Open is shaping up to be very diverse with anglers registered from Texas to New Jersey and as far away as Canada.

A Hobie Fun Fest consumer event will be held simultaneously along the lakeshore, far away from tournament fishing.  Hobie invites all competitors to bring their family and friends to join in the festivities that will be held Saturday and Sunday, 9:00AM-1:00PM and open to the public. Fun seekers will have the opportunity to demo Hobie kayaks, SUP’s and sailboats.  Beginners will be able to take advantage of clinics designed just for them.  All ages will be invited to join in fun races and informative fishing seminars. 

The Captain’s meeting will be held from 7:00-8:00PM Friday evening at the Pavilion on the New Beach where the competition will launch on Saturday morning. Non-motorized kayaks, canoes and SUP’s are the only permitted watercrafts.  Country music singer, Daniel Lee Martin, will provide the Saturday night musical entertainment.

The Hobie Bass Open is the second in a series of four qualifying events to be held in the U.S. and one in Canada that give anglers the opportunity to qualify for five coveted spots on the North American team. See details below:

May 15-18 (already held) - Kayak Fishing Classic, Jamaica Bay, New York – http://www.Captainkayak.com

May 30-June 1 - Hobie Bass Open, Kentucky Lake, Kentucky – http://www.hobiefishing.com

June 22 - IFA Kayak Tournament, Jacksonville, Florida – http://www.ifatours.com

June 28 - Border City Classic, Windsor, Ontario, Canada – http://www.bordercityclassic.com

July 12 – Oregon Rockfish Classic, Depoe Bay, Oregon  - http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com

For more information and to register, go to hobiefishingworlds.com

Since 1950, Hobie has been in the business of shaping a unique lifestyle based around fun, water, and quality products. From their world headquarters in Oceanside, California, Hobie Cat Company manufactures, distributes, and markets an impressive collection of eco-sensitive watercraft worldwide. These include an ever-expanding line of recreation and racing sailboats, pedal-driven and paddle sit-on-top recreation and fishing kayaks, inflatable kayaks, fishing boats and stand-up paddleboards plus a complementary array of parts and accessories.