Local angler Dave Jaskiewicz hopes to hook world kayak fishing title in China
When New Jersey native Dave Jaskiewicz moved to the Charleston area in 2007, it didn’t take long for the enticing, local waterways to lure him in. The lifetime fisherman, eager to enjoy his hobby, decided kayaking offered a more affordable alternative to boating — and an up close and personal way to study his finned friends.
“There is no other way I would prefer to be in the water than on the kayak,” said Jaskiewicz, a project manager for Caliber Construction. “When I first got my kayak, it was just a cheaper means to be on the water. But now, if I won the lottery, I would still go out in my kayaks!”
The angler may soon get to experience the equivalent of winning the lottery - at least in the fishing realm - when he joins 47 other competitors from across the globe to compete in the 5th Annual Hobie Kayak Fishing World Championship at the ancient Shang Lake in Changshu, China. Jaskiewicz qualified for the event (he is one of six who will represent the United States) after winning the top prize at an Inshore Fishing Association (IFA) tournament in Georgetown, S.C. on August 30.
The road to Changshu began soon after Jaskiewicz entered the local kayak fishing scene, where the angler said he worked hard to master his techniques and learn about fish native to the area. It didn’t take long for him to get hooked on the sport.
“It seems like kayakers are a little bit more helping,” said Jaskiewicz, who lives a neighborhood off Clements Ferry Road with his wife, Melyssa, and their two children. “They are different. Not too crazy and cut-throat, just more laid back, and they have more of a connection with people…I really liked it. I made some friends right off the bat and decided to stick with it.”
The quiet yet driven Jaskiewicz sailed into the kayak fishing tournament arena and was soon a fierce competitor. He won four tournaments - two in Charleston and two in Georgetown - before earning his bid to China.
“Being competitive in fishing always came with my Dad and brothers,” said Jaskiewicz. “So right out of the gate, we made it a little more interesting. Whether it was just the family out on the boat, we would say ‘biggest fish wins this’ or ‘first fish wins that.’”
That desire for victory clearly has given him an edge. When he heard a qualifying tournament would be held in Georgetown for the world championships in China, he quickly cast his sights on winning.
“From the moment I read that headline, I was determined to get as prepared as well as I could for that tournament! It worked out. I almost willed it to happen!”
Jaskiewicz’s strategy in Georgetown, where anglers were required to use artificial bait, certainly paid off. The competitors were to catch, photograph and release redfish and trout. The day was overcast, so Jaskiewicz adjusted his plan based on what he expected the fish to do in the absence of sunshine.
“The fact that it was overcast and the sun never really came out, I fished a style of bait that usually only works at dawn and dusk, like a top water lure. If it’s too sunny out, that contrast on top sometimes scares the fish. Overcast, without too much sun on top, that top water bait works really, really well. So I stuck with that one style of fishing and was very successful with both fish.”
When it comes to bait, Jaskiewicz prefers artificial, which is required for IFA tournaments.
“Somebody told me one time to be one with your bait. It sounds so cheesy, but it’s true. You have to be able to present it, and have it look as natural as something that they want. That’s what I like about artificial. It’s not just throwing a piece of bait out there and waiting for something to come by. It’s going after it. It’s making it a little more challenging.”
In addition to knowing what fish will be looking for, Jaskiewicz also has to pay attention to a host of other factors, such as tidal patterns, the impact weather might have on fish behavior, and more. When it comes to tournaments, preparation begins long before the days leading up to the event.
“For me, it’s always tense,” he said, with a slight smile. “But I like that. It’s part of the thrill for me. It’s part of the preparation. The months in advance. It’s crazy how much I think about that tournament leading up to it.”
At Shang Lake, named for the legendary fisherman Jiang Shang (1156 BC - 1017 BC), a renowned military strategist and statesman in his day, Jaskiewicz will have to deploy yet another winning combination of tactics to take home the top trophy. Competitors will be fishing for Chinese perch, top mouth culter, and the “monster fish” yellowcheek carp, which can grow up to 6.7 feet long. All are relatively unknown to Jaskiewicz, but he is hoping their behaviors will be similar to their Lowcountry counterparts.
“There is not that much information about them,” he said. “They’ll go after the same type of lures, but maybe different sizes and different depths…The thing that has got me scratching my head is that the weather is supposed to be in the 40s and 50s. So that’s a little chilly, and fish do weird things (when it’s cold)…I’ve got to watch that!”
Jaskiewicz will get time to explore the lake just for navigational purposes on day one, November 11, with no fishing. The next day, anglers will have an opportunity to use different lures and baits to see what works. The competition itself will take place November 13-15. His fully-rigged kayak will be provided by the tournament host, Hobie Cat Australasia. The event will be a traditional CPR (Catch, Photograph and Release) format in which each competitor will enter his or her three best lengths in aggregate each day. The angler with the highest cumulative length over the three day period will receive the championship crown.
“It’s hard to believe we are looking at our 5th World Championship,” stated Steve Fields, managing director of Hobie Cat Australasia. “Each event has taken Hobie Fishing to a new level. Number five promises to continue the tradition and be a big eye opener to all the competitors as they experience new fish and a very old culture.”
Jaskiewicz is both thrilled and excited to be able to engage on a world stage in a sport he loves. Whether or not he is successful in China, he knows just being part of the event will be a huge confidence booster and will allow him to connect with a host of new fishing friends from all over the globe. But the chance to compete as a member of a U.S. delegation definitely gives the experience even more significance, he said.
“It’s super neat to be representing my country in a kayak fishing tournament,” he said. “It would be really, really awesome to be on the top!”
Will Jaskiewicz come home with the ultimate prize? Certainly being named “The New Legend of Shang Lake” and the best in the world is pretty good bait for this Lowcountry competitor.
Want to help?
To help local angler Dave Jaskiewicz meet his fundraising goals for participating in the 5th Annual Hobie Kayak Fishing World Championship in Changshu, China, a family member has set up a Go Fund Me account in his name. To make a donation, visit https://www.gofundme.com/davetochina.