Got to the show on the first day, about an hr after the doors opened. The crowd grew as people got off work but thinned well before the 9pm closing. I suspect the early birds wanted to grab the deals before they sold out, yet it was less crowded than last year because of the growing Coronavirus concern.

Starting at one end of the 2 large exhibition halls, I made my way systematically. First place of note was Jeff Mariani’s Cedros Kayak Fishing booth. Cedros Island, 310 miles south of San Diego and just off coast of Baja California, has been a very popular long range sport boat destination from San Diego but the Mexican government no longer allows the US boats to fish it. The prized yellowtail and calico bass fishery can only be sampled though Mexican services like what Cedros Kayak Fishing offers.

Jeff explained that he provides outfitted Hobie Outback pedal kayaks, rental rods and reels if needed, and will take you and the kayaks by truck or panga to the best option to fish that day. Lodging is at his modern 7 bedroom, 5 1/2 bath home. Tours include transport to and from Cedros Island, meals, beverages, fishing trips, fish cleaning and processing. To get there, his guy will pick you up in CA, drive you over the border to Ensenada where you’ll board a small plane to Cedros Island. When I lived in LA and kayak fished, my unfulfilled dream was to land a yellowtail on a kayak. This might be my best shot!

The tours are very affordable compared to other destination fishing trips. We Hawaii folks have to fly into San Diego of course.

4 days/3 nights - 2 days of fishing - $2000
5 days/4 nights - 3 days of fishing - $2400

Next up was Bixpy jet motors. I visited them last year and was really intrigued with the idea of putting their compact electric motor on my kayak’s rudder but thought I could find a cheaper, yet effective solution.

Bixpy’s design is almost plug-and-play. I would just have to replace my rudder with theirs that the motor attaches to, and I can still use my foot controls. No extra harnesses to get in the way of my fishing line. Their lithium battery is so light it floats and the wireless remote would allow me to control the Bixpy’s speed from my wrist. There’s even a kill switch I’d wear that would shut off the motor if I fell out.

I hadn’t been able to find a more elegant solution within the Bixpy’s price range and I really needed the additional help. In the past year I’ve struggled to fight the wind and current in my Ocean Kayak Trident Ultra 4.3, and while I always safely made it in, I paid the price with tight muscles the next few days. Houman, the designer/creator of the Bixpy system explained how I’d install it on my Trident, projected I could expect to run at 4 mph for more than 5 hrs, and that I should expect the battery to last 3 to 5 yrs before it needs to be replaced. The Bixpy jet motor itself should last 3 yrs or more before it needs to be serviced by the factory.

The Bixpy system isn’t cheap by any means but if it gets me to my spot and back, and helps me fight the current, it’s worth it. I can still paddle the kayak and get my exercise in, and use the motor when I need to. I’m hoping to have it powering me around within a month or so.

The Bixpy motor, battery, remote and rudder will cost about $1250.

I stumbled on the Temple Reef rod booth and wondered why that brand sounded so familiar. Then I remembered reading great things about their jigging rods in some online forum. Pro Staffer and rod designer Benny Ortiz gave me the run down on the rods he has selling at the show, and how the 2-piece rods joined near the rod butt, far below where the flex stress point of the rod was. The slow pitch rods flexed properly in the tip yet had backbone for larger fish. Their replacement policy was to pay 50% MSRP one time, after that you’re on your own. I thought that was fair and if I didn’t have an unused slow pitch 2-piece rod already, I would have purchased one at their show prices.

Time was running short so I shot over to the Anetik booth to see Pete, whom I met last year. After wearing the Anetik Shade Mask and Shade Socks last year, we liked them so much we’ve been selling them in the Store. Pete said their new, best selling product is their wind and rain repellent jacket made from a light neoprene type material. In the short time I was with Pete, numerous guys tried the jacket on and some bought it. I picked up two size Large Shade Socks at wholesale to sell in the store and really should have bought more Shade Masks since the last two sold out today! I love the very breathable fishing shirt I got last year and wear when it’s warm (kind of cold now) but I understand it would be hard for others to buy it without seeing and touching it. Let me know if you’re interested in buying any of their UV protectant clothing. I’ll be placing another order with them soon.

There was just a bit more time so I speed walked over to the Boating section in the adjoining exhibition hall, took this photo and realized I knew nothing about boats.

In the outdoor arena, there was no one manning the live trout pond and no dogs jumping into the pool like there were last year. Victims of the Coronavirus scare I’m guessing. Just some food trucks and a few people eating in the cold air. I ordered a pulled pork-style chicken sandwich and called it a night. Stay tuned for Day 2.