What are CPR fishing tournaments?
Catch, Photo, Release (CPR) style fishing tournaments have become increasingly popular, especially within the kayak bass fishing tournament community. This format makes perfect sense for kayak anglers, who often lack the space and resources for live wells. CPR tournaments allow anglers to safely catch, document their catch with a photograph, and quickly release the fish back into the water, minimizing stress and ensuring the health of the fishery. These tournaments rank anglers based on the fish's length rather than weight and require specific measuring boards and provide what is referred to as a tournament identifier. Tournament identifiers or IDs are about the size of a credit card and provide needed details about the angler, date, and other tournament info so judges and tournament directors can ensure the fish was caught during the specified window of time. Additionally, the rise of CPR tournaments coincides with the surge in popularity of kayak fishing and digital tournament fishing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anglers sought solitary outdoor activities, with boating and kayak fishing providing a perfect solution. As more anglers embraced this method, CPR tournaments offered a safe and convenient way to compete and enjoy the sport while respecting the delicate balance of the ecosystem. The combination of practicality, environmental consciousness, and its popularity during the pandemic has solidified CPR as the ideal format for kayak bass fishing tournaments.
Why the LeaderBoard?
Engineered to elevate your fishing experience, the LeaderBoard offers an unparalleled combination of functionality and convenience. Its buoyant design ensures it floats effortlessly on water to help in the case it falls overboard and features a dedicated leash point that provides a secure attachment point to prevent accidental loss. For tournament anglers, it boasts built-in dual identifier holders, allowing you to seamlessly display your ID for catch, photo, release style tournaments. Integrated Cull Tabs further enhance your catch tracking capabilities, allowing you to quickly set a visual representation of the length of your recent catches. Lines and numbers were laid out as a collaborative effort with key tournament decision-makers to ensure an accurate and easy-to-read tournament experience. Our objective was to develop a fish measuring board from the ground up that maximizes convenience and usability for the consumer while improving tournament integrity by minimizing opportunities for intentional or accidental misrepresentation of the length of fish being measured. Below is more information detailed info about the LeaderBoard, features, metric version, launch date, pricing, and accessories.
Cull Tabs
One feature unique to the YakAttack LeaderBoard is the built-in culling system. Each board has a slot across the top edge with three (3) black cull tabs that slide along the increments on the measuring surface. Many kayak tournament anglers we spoke with throughout the development process who participate in catch, photo, release style tournaments mentioned spending considerable time referring back to the photos in their cell phones to the check lengths on their smallest or largest fish. This process could be more efficient for your time management on the water and could be better for a healthy, quick fish release. The cull tabs allow anglers to track their smaller fish quicker during a tournament and adjust as they progress. Are the cull tabs useful if you are not a tournament angler? Absolutely! Mark your personal best across three species or your top three fish for the year.
Floatation and Security
The LeaderBoard comes with EVA foam inlayed on the board's underside, creating the necessary buoyancy for floatation. Ethylene Vinyl Acetate is a closed-cell structured foam that provides resistance to water and moisture, so it will hold up for many years in a wet environment. Also included in the design is a built-in tether point at the end of the board for added security. Just because it floats does not mean it can't drift out of reach quickly in current or wind.
Oversized Design and Geometry
It’s no secret that the LeaderBoard looks different than the measuring devices that you are used to. While most boards are relatively flat, our designers focused on geometry to better accommodate the shape of the fish. On top of being wider overall, this shape cradles the fish to help achieve a more natural presentation of the fish for photography. The angled design of the measuring surface adds rigidity to the board, virtually eliminating flex and minimizes the potential of glare, allowing for more qualified catch photos.
Integrated Tournament ID Holder
The YakAttack LeaderBoard is equipped with an integrated dual flip-out ID holder designed around standard-sized CPR tournament ID cards of 3.75" x 2.25" used by top kayak fishing tournament trails such as Hobie BOS, Kayak Bass Fishing, and Bassmaster Kayak Series. This feature provides exceptional convenience and security, ensuring anglers can easily avoid losing or misplacing their tournament IDs. The holder securely accommodates up to two tournament identifiers, allowing anglers to display one or two IDs simultaneously. This is essential for anglers participating in multiple tournaments at the same time. It’s easy-to-operate flip-out design enables quick and effortless deployment and stowage. Anglers can now seamlessly transition between displaying their identifiers for catch photos and quickly stowing them away when finished. Furthermore, the included clear resealable sleeves provide additional protection from the elements. These sleeves keep identifiers pristine and legible, ensuring tournament judges have a clear view of the necessary information.
DoubleTake Visual Indicator
Tournament fishing demands precision and integrity. The DoubleTake Visual Indicator on the YakAttack LeaderBoard is a revolutionary tool that addresses both these concerns. This innovative feature eliminates the ambiguity of traditional measuring boards with its mirrored surface, doubling the gap between the fish's nose and the vertical fence. This ingenious design ensures that even the smallest gaps are impossible to miss, leaving no room for doubt or debate. Say goodbye to the frustration of accidentally submitting a picture where the fish isn't truly touching the fence. The DoubleTake Visual Indicator drastically reduces this risk, allowing you to focus on the excitement of the competition instead of worrying about potential disqualifications or deductions. This simple yet effective feature reflects YakAttack's commitment to fairness and accuracy, making the LeaderBoard the ultimate tool for serious tournament anglers seeking a level playing field.
Individually Serialized
Individually serialized measuring boards play a crucial role in ensuring fairness and transparency. Each board carries a unique serial number, preventing tampering and guaranteeing that every measurement is traceable. This eliminates the possibility of competitors using multiple boards or manipulating measurements, ensuring a level playing field. Serialized boards also facilitate verification by tournament officials, allowing them to cross-reference measurements and identify any discrepancies. Ultimately, individually serialized measuring boards create a system of accountability and trust, fostering fair competition and a reliable record of tournament results.
Tournament Use and Approval
The YakAttack LeaderBoard is designed to meet and exceed the specs required by kayak fishing tournaments and has been officially approved by a growing number of tournament directors including KBF and Kayak Adventure Series. Our team is working closely with tournament directors across the country to ensure the YakAttack LeaderBoard is widely accepted with more catch, photo, release style tournaments. We will regularly update our list of approved tournaments as more organizations submit their final approval. Click HERE to view the tournament approval list.
Metric Version
In addition to our standard 28” long LeaderBoard, a metric 71 cm long version will be available for those kayak fishing and participating in fishing tournaments outside of the USA. The Metric version of the LeaderBoard will come will all of the same features with the change from inches to centimeters.
Launch Date/Pricing
The 28” and 71 cm LeaderBoards will be available starting Monday June 17th at 9am EST. In addition to the LeaderBoard, several compatible accessories listed below will be available as well. Both the 28" and 71cm board are $60 MSRP.
LeadeBoard Specs
- 28” long measurable surface with ¼” increments
- DoubleTake Visual Indicator
- Made from marine-grade, UV-stabilized polymers
- Built-in, flip-out, dual ID holder for tournaments
- ID holders fit standard-sized tournament identifiers: 3.75" x 2.25"
- Includes 2 clear resealable sleeves and contact strips
- Cull Tabs to keep track of your catch length
- Floats, if dropped in water
- Tether point for attaching a leash
- Board width and shape better accommodate larger fish
- Overall board dimensions: 29.75” long x 6.4” wide
- Board weight: 2.4 lbs.
- Made in the USA
- Covered by our Built for Life Guarantee
Accessories
LeaderBoard RotoGrip – 2 Pack
The Leaderboard RotoGrip is a variation of our award-winning RotoGrip Paddle Holder, but in comparison, this version features a soft but firm rubber wheel on one side and a hook on the other. This RotoGrip is designed specifically around the dimensions of the YakAttack Leaderboard and will not work with any other measuring boards on the market. The geometry of this re-imagined RotoGrip gives you a secure hold and quick deployment while on the water. The LeaderBoard RotoGrip can be mounted to any track solution, including YakAttack GearTrac, MightyMounts, and most other factory-installed kayak track systems. For most kayaks, this mounting option for the LeaderBoard is an in-line track mount, meaning both RotoGrips will be attached to the same section of track, and the LeaderBoard will cover and restrict additional track usage for the length of the measuring board. If you are looking for an offset, track-mounted solution, we offer a LeaderBoard-specific version of the DoubleHeader listed below.
LeaderBoard DoubleHeader
Like the DoubleHeader and its other variations, the LeaderBoard DoubleHeader offers the user a 3.5” offset from a single point of attachment so as not to tie up valuable track space or block the gunnel of your kayak, allowing for the full functionality of other accessories. The LeaderBoard DoubleHeader is only compatible with the YakAttack LeaderBoard. The custom-designed LeaderBoard RotoGrips will not fit measuring/bump boards from other manufacturers.
LeaderBoard Scabbard
Engineered for seamless integration with the YakAttack BlackPak Pro, the LeaderBoard Scabbard is a sheath-style, surface-mounted holster that can be mounted in various orientations – vertically, horizontally, or at a 45-degree angle.
SideMount ID Holder
The YakAttack Side Mount Identifier Holder provides a secure and convenient way to display one or two tournament ID cards. Designed with practicality in mind, the Side Mount ID Holder snaps onto the side edge of the LeaderBoard and folds out of the way when not in use. From the vertical fence to the end of the board, the ID holder can be attached where ever you prefer and using a little pressure it can be repositioned to accommodate larger fish.
Spare ID Sleeves
Need spare ID Sleeves? The LeaderBoard Identifier Sleeve is a replacement for the stock clear sleeve featured on the YakAttack LeaderBoard. Sold as a single pack.
