2024 NSKA Table Rock 1.0 Recap / AOY / Heavy Hitters

The 2024 season has started for NSKA NWA and it began on a frigid day at Table Rock Lake. With a cold front, 37 degrees at lines in, and winds out of the NNW, it would be a good challenge for the mix of Arkansas and Missouri anglers hitting the water. The event was presented by Moments by Mandie photography – thank you for the support!

The other day I was telling a guy at work that we had a tournament coming up on Table Rock. “What’s it like?” he asked me. “Well, it’s a lot like Beaver Lake but with way more fish and bigger fish.” Beaver has actually really picked up as a bass fishery, but Table Rock was going to be a great place to start the season in pre-spawn conditions due to the large fish population.

Tournament Recap

Even with the cold, harsh conditions, 56 anglers signed up for the kickoff event. Kudos to the tournament director for launching us at 7:00, there was no reason to get out into the cold earlier than that! For a March event, it was a pretty prolific fish fest. More than 96% of registered anglers turned in a bass, with a strong 71% turning in a limit. Overall, a very high FPA of 6.18 dwarfed previous March tournaments over the past couple of years – 5.95, 3.95, 3.52, 2.99, and 1.72. (looking at you, Pumpback)

Kyle Long’s Big Bass from Table Rock 1.0 – Source: TourneyX

Jason Kincy took 1st place with 84.50″ in a tiebreaker with Micah Funderburgh who also had 84.50″ on the day. Corey Sims took third place with 84.00″ followed by Kyle Long with 83.25″ – Kyle did win Big Bass with a 19.75″ largemouth.

Top 10 Table Rock Anglers

  1. Jason Kincy 84.50
  2. Micah Funderburgh 84.50
  3. Corey Sims 84.00
  4. Kyle Long 83.25
  5. Stony Floyd 82.75
  6. Levi Schneider 82.50
  7. Terrill Standifer 82.00
  8. Trevor Motzkus 81.50
  9. Caleb Derryberry 79.50
  10. Jim Hall 79.00


Angler Roundtable

The top finishers from Table Rock 1.0 gathered to share how things went down on the ‘Rock on a blustery and cold March Saturday. Here is the 411 from Jason Kincy, Micah Funderburgh, and Corey Sims.

What part of Table Rock did you fish, and why?

Jason – I fished the Big M to Rock Creek area of the White River arm. Usually fish at Owl Creek or Holiday Island. This time around I just decided to try something different and I hadn’t fished there much before.

Micah – I put in near Shell Knob and tried to do exactly what I did to win last year but quickly figured out that it wasn’t going to work.

Corey – I decided to put in a Campbells Point and I was originally looking for warmer water in the coves to see if the fish were starting to move up. Big Bay is just north of Campbells Point and there is a cove just south of Campbells Point that had some shallow water with creek beds in them. When I got there the plan changed 100%.

Cold front came in the day before the tournament and it was COLD that morning. How did that change anything you were doing?

Jason – First of all, I dreaded getting out there in such cold temps and wind, but that probably hurts the fisherman more than the fish, lol. I expected any fish that had been super shallow to pull out a bit, or, for most fish to sit tight offshore. Because of this, I started fishing out deeper for the first couple of hours but only caught one that way. In reality, I only caught one keeper deep and my others came in fairly shallow water along the bank.

Micah – The water level and clarity was much different so I had to junk fish the whole are instead concentrating on two very specific spots like last year. The main pattern for me was main lake banks with chunk rock.

Corey – It was colder that morning than I though it would be, the wind was blowing harder than I though it would be. Right straight across the lake from Campbells Point is a bluff with timber and it sits right on the channel swing. The stars couldn’t have line up more perfect to fish that stretch of bluff than it did yesterday.

In general, what baits worked for you in catching most of your fish?

Jason – I caught about a dozen bass on the day, and as I mentioned above the vast majority were shallower than 10ft. My catches mostly came on a crankbait and a couple of jigs. In pre-fishing it was the A-rig that dominated, but that just didn’t work for me on tournament day.

Micah – The bass were relating to whatever wood could be found on those banks and I caught them on finesse jigs and jerkbaits. Unfortunately I only caught a handful of largemouth and probably 30+ spotted bass so it was hard to upgrade throughout the day. I’ll be uploading a video of the day on my YouTube channel in the next day or so.

Corey – I started the morning off chucking a crank bait, catching several fish around 15” or so. Then I switched to a shad color chatterbait and that’s when the two big girls decided they wanted to eat. I got to the end of the bluff and went ahead and motored down to the south cove to see if the water was warmer since by that time the sun came out. Threw a crankbait for about 10 minutes and turned around and headed back to the bluff. Fished the bluff side again changing to a spinnerbait and caught a few more. After that it was about 1 o’clock, so I decided to go north and fish the bluff side right before Big Bay. All I threw there was a crankbait and caught several spotted bass and at 2 o’clock I headed back to the Campbell Point bluff to see if I could pull a couple more inches out of it but just kept getting the 15” fish. It was an awesome day to fish.

How can anglers and fans of big bass keep up with you in social media?

Jason – Instagram: @kayakfishingfocus YouTube: @kayakfishingfocus

Micah – Instagram: @Micahfunderburgh YouTube: @Kayaknbass

Corey – Instagram: @notsoprofishin

AOY and Heavy Hitters Standings

Angler of the Year and Heavy Hitters races have begun. It is a long season and these current rankings don’t mean a lot. As a reminder, AOY is best six events and the Classic, so you don’t even have to count this first one if you don’t want to. It’s also not too late to sign up for a membership if you want to be in these competitions going forward – sign up before Tenkiller!

Here are your current Top 25 AOY rankings. The Top 25 make the end of season Classic Championship!

Heavy Hitters is off to a slow start without a giant. That means everyone is still in good shape to compete this season. Your five largest fish from each individual event will make up your HH limit – lots of time left to get going on this.

See you at the next event: Lake Tenkiller, April 6


Previous Article: Five Newbie Tips for a Kayak Bass Tournament

Previous Article: Cicada Bass Fishing Bonanza in 2024

Five Newbie Tips for a Kayak Bass Tournament

Fishing a kayak bass tournament is exciting, challenging, frustrating, and rewarding all at once. I’m also convinced there’s not a better way to get better at fishing than to enter kayak bass tournaments because of the time on the water and focus it generates. For some, the point is to win, and for others it’s just to have fun and fill some competitive spirit. Either way there are some basic tips that can make the most of your experience.

Step Out and Get Signed Up!

The first step to anything is to commit. I remember my first kayak bass tournament and it was a cold day in December and I only caught one fish. But it was a BLAST and I was hooked from there. You won’t know if you have fun until you try it. Kayak tournaments and anglers are much more accepting than the boat circuits. Low to no pressure, only about you and personal goals to get better. The first NSKA NWA event in March 9, you can sign up here on Tourney X, or try a different upcoming tournament.

Set Personal Goals

Every angler at all levels of skill and experience has personal goals they are trying to achieve. New kayak bass tournament anglers can set whatever goal based on their situation. First goal might be to just enter a tournament, or to successfully submit a bass. For others it could be to catch a limit, or finish in the money. The key is to identify where you are in the process and set goals that are a challenge but that you can strive to meet. As time goes on you can keep raising the bar. Many kayak fishing club members started very slowly (like myself) and have turned into seasoned competitors over time.



Meet Other Anglers

If you’ve ever fished in the bass boat tournament world, one thing is clear – nobody helps you or talks about anything that happened on the water. The kayak bass fishing community is different. Anglers share tips and ideas, will help you with information about a lake, and after an event will be more open about what worked for them. Participating on the Natural State Kayak Anglers Facebook page, or talking with other anglers at the post-tournament weigh-ins is a way to make some great friends but also to accelerate your skill set growth. There is not one great angler in the club that hasn’t learned something from another angler. Many of my friends I’ve met through fishing, so get out there and get social.

Get the Basic Gear

For a kayak fishing tournament there are only a few things you absolutely need to compete. (beyond a kayak!)

  • For safety purposes, you have to have a personal flotation device (PFD), safety whistle, and a light visible from a 360 perspective if it is still dark in the morning – either on a pole, or a headlamp. Complete rules including safety are found here.
  • To submit your catches you would use the TourneyX app on your smartphone, and would need a Ketch measuring board to measure your fish.
  • Dress for the day, either with warmer clothing or when it is hot have skin protection and plenty of water.
  • Don’t forget a fishing license!

Practice Catch-Photo-Release

The unique aspect of kayak bass fishing tournaments is that we don’t hold on to the bass. After you catch it, you should then take a photo of it and submit into the app to record your catch. There are specific rules for this, including keeping the mouth closed, don’t cover the eye or the tail, make sure your identifier is in view, and more. A video from Kyle Long helps with more details. Most importantly, PRACTICE managing your fish on the measuring board and taking photos before you have a tournament. Seven Sins of Catch Photo Release Submissions covers the basics, but note it shows a non-Ketch board in the examples. Every time you catch a bass, measure and take a photo. You’ll lose one in a tournament, happens to everyone, but practice makes a huge difference.

Bonus Tip – Watch Game Film

Like I said above, kayak bass anglers love to share and help others. There are several in Natural State Kayak anglers that share their tournament experiences in video form. You can learn A LOT from watching these videos that will help you know what a tournament is like, and what to do and sometimes not do! For some great YouTube tournament videos, check out KayakFishingFocus, Josh Landreth Fishing, Kyle Long Fishing, or TZ Kayak Fishing. There are more, but these are some of the most consistent in sharing tourney videos.

Cicada Fishing Bonanza in 2024

Every few years, nature treats us to a phenomenon that leaves anglers buzzing with anticipation for cicada fishing action – the periodical cicada emergence. In 2024, the cicadas are set to make their grand entrance, and bass fishing enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to capitalize on this natural event. In this article, we’ll explore the impact of the periodical cicada emergence on bass fishing and share some tips to make the most of this extraordinary fishing season.

Cicada fishing

The timing of the cicada hatch in 2024 varied depending on the specific brood and geographic location. Different broods of cicadas have different emergence cycles, with some emerging every 13 or 17 years. Each brood has its own distinct emergence pattern, with some appearing in spring and others in summer. The first brood of cicadas in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri area begins in April to May and will run throughout the summer.

Cicada Fishing Information

  • The Cicada Spectacle: Periodical cicadas, known for their synchronized emergence in large numbers, create a spectacle that’s hard to ignore. These insects spend years underground feeding on tree roots before emerging en masse for a few weeks to mate. As they emerge, they provide a protein-rich feast for fish, including bass.
  • Timing is Everything: To make the most of the cicada emergence, timing is crucial. Keep a close eye on local reports and entomological predictions to pinpoint when the cicadas will start appearing in your area. Typically, this event occurs during the warmer months, usually in late spring or early summer, when water temperatures are ideal for bass activity.
  • Topwater Extravaganza: One of the most exciting aspects of the cicada emergence and cicada fishing is the opportunity for explosive topwater action. Bass are known to aggressively strike at these large insects as they clumsily make their way to the water’s surface. Equip yourself with topwater lures such as buzzbaits, poppers, and prop baits to mimic the movement and sound of the cicadas. This surface action can lead to heart-pounding strikes that make for unforgettable fishing experiences.
  • Natural Color Imitations: Cicadas are known for their distinctive black bodies, transparent wings, and orange-veined accents. When selecting lures, choose those that closely resemble the appearance of cicadas. Black or dark-colored soft plastics, topwater lures, and even crankbaits can effectively mimic these insects, increasing your chances of enticing bass in the midst of the cicada emergence.
  • Focus on Shaded Areas: Cicadas often seek shade when they emerge, and bass are quick to follow. Target shaded areas such as overhanging trees, docks, and vegetation where cicadas are likely to congregate. Casting your lures near these areas can yield impressive results as bass lurk in the shadows, waiting for an easy cicada meal.
  • Be Patient and Observant: While the cicada emergence can create a cicada fishing feeding frenzy, bass can also become selective. Be patient and observe the water for signs of bass activity. Look for subtle ripples, splashes, or any disturbances on the surface that may indicate bass are actively feeding on cicadas. Adjust your techniques based on what you observe to maximize your chances of success.
Bumble Bee
Rebel Lures Bumble Bug on Lurenet.com

Almost Cicada Fishing time!

The 2024 periodical cicada emergence is not just a natural wonder; it’s also an exciting opportunity for cicada fishing for bass fishermen. By understanding the timing of the emergence, using topwater lures that mimic cicadas, and targeting shaded areas where bass are likely to gather, you can elevate your bass fishing experience during this unique event. So, gear up, stay informed, and get ready to witness and capitalize on the buzzworthy bass fishing season that the cicada emergence brings.


Article: February Bass Fishing

February Bass Fishing

As winter holds its grip, many anglers might be tempted to stow away their gear, but February offers a unique opportunity for bass fishing in a unique time of year. In this article, I’ll tell you why February can be an excellent time for bass fishing, along with some essential tips to make the most out of your winter boat or kayak fishing adventures.

Winter bass fishing

Why Bass Fishing in February?

Contrary to popular belief, bass fishing in February can be surprisingly rewarding. As the water temperatures drop, bass tend to gather in specific areas, making them more predictable and targetable. Understanding the seasonal patterns and adjusting your approach can lead to some big catches during the colder months.

  1. Slow and Steady Wins the Race:
    • In colder waters, bass metabolism slows down, making them less active. Opt for a slow presentation with your lures or bait to entice lethargic bass. Working the bait methodically to match the lethargy of the bass is what you want to do.
  2. Targeting Deep Structures:
    • Focus on deeper structures such as points, ledges, and drop-offs where bass gather to find more stable water temperatures. Use fish finders to locate these structures, and target them strategically for increased success. Shad can also stack up in areas near drops, and that will attract the bass.
  3. Special lures come into play:
    • In colder water fishing, there are some lures that excel during this period better than almost any time of year. Some of my favorites include a jigging spoon, Alabama rig, or a blade bait.
  4. Weather Monitoring:
    • Keep an eye on weather patterns as bass activity can be influenced by temperature changes. Warmer days, even if rare, can trigger increased bass activity, with some even moving shallow. Plan your fishing trips around milder weather conditions for optimal results.
  5. Patience and Persistence:
    • February fishing requires patience. Bass may not be as aggressive, so persistence is key. Work your chosen area thoroughly and be prepared to wait for that subtle strike.


Get out and do some winter bass fishing!

Don’t let the winter blues keep you indoors. Winter bass fishing presents a unique challenge and an opportunity to experience the thrill of landing some impressive catches. Armed with the right knowledge and tactics, you can turn the colder months into a rewarding time on the water. Embrace the winter wonders of bass fishing this February, and you might just reel in a memorable catch.

Bank and Creek Winter Kit

Are you a passionate bank or creek angler, always on the lookout for the perfect tackle kit to enhance your fishing experience? Look no further than the Lurenet Bank and Creek Fishing Tackle Kit, a comprehensive set of baits designed to elevate your fishing game and help you make the most of your time on the water’s edge. In this article, we’ll explore the features and benefits of this all-in-one seasonal tackle kit, breaking down why it’s a must-have for every bank and creek angler.

Subscription Bag

Lurenet’s Bank & Creek fishing tackle kit provides seasonally relevant fishing lures, presentations, and color patterns for multi species fishing scenarios. Each lure was hand selected by bank fishing and creek fishing experts to assure each fishing tackle kit is comprised of value, quality and confidence.

Let’s delve into what makes this fishing bundle stand out:

  1. Diverse Lure Selection:
    • The kit includes a variety of lures, each designed to attract different species of fish commonly found in bank and creek environments. From vibrant crankbaits to versatile soft plastics, this kit covers the essentials.
    • The January-February kit includes some go-to winter baits such as the Booyah lipless one-knocker, Bomber Long A, Yum Ned Dinger, and Booyah Boo Jig. In total, there are 13 items in the current kit.
  2. Quality Construction:
    • Lurenet is renowned for its commitment to quality, and this tackle kit is no exception. Each lure is crafted with precision and durability in mind, ensuring they withstand the rigors of bank and creek fishing.
  3. Limited Edition Lures:
    • Each Lurenet Bank and Creek kit includes a few lures that are only available in the Bank and Creek lineup. Custom colors designed specifically for small water fishing environments are included.


Let’s explore how the Lurenet Bank and Creek Fishing Tackle Kit caters to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by bank and creek fishing:

  1. Shallow-Water Expertise:
    • The lures in this kit are ideal for fishing in shallower waters, where many bank and creek species thrive. Whether you’re targeting bass, panfish, or catfish, the kit provides the right tools for the job.
  2. Versatile Retrieval Techniques:
    • From slow retrieves to aggressive jerks, the diverse lures in the kit allow you to experiment with various retrieval techniques. Adapt to the behavior of the fish and increase your chances of a successful catch.
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Winter Bank and Creek Kit

In conclusion, the Lurenet Bank and Creek Fishing Tackle Kit is more than just an assortment of lures – it’s a game-changer for bank and creek anglers looking to up their fishing prowess. With its diverse selection, quality construction, and tackle organization, this kit is a valuable investment for anyone passionate about angling in these unique environments. Elevate your bank and creek fishing experience today with the Lurenet Tackle Kit and unlock the potential of your favorite fishing spots.

Fishing and Basketball

With this winter being particularly cold and unfriendly to my fishing schedule, I have gone to the basketball gym a few times to get some exercise. Recently, while watching a group of five on five go at it in a pickup game, I recognized some parallels between bass fishing and basketball.

For some context, at this gym it was mostly older guys whose athleticism, speed, and explosiveness are long gone. But for the most part they can play. Like bass fishing, the game of basketball has nuances that can separate the average angler (player) from a really good angler (player) in tournament competition.

40 Years on the Court, and It's Not Even Halftime - The New York Times

Level of Play

Anyone who has played many pickup games with older, out of shape, and slower players knows one thing. These guys can shoot! Almost everyone can fill it up in a rec game, and the older you are and still playing, the more likely that you light it up from three. In fishing, experience counts. More time on the water and time spent fishing makes you more productive and have a higher success rate. In tournament fishing, these guys can shoot, so you really need to hone your skills.

Know Your Intensity

Are you bass fishing for fun? For competition? For both? Especially in tournaments, identify your goals and tailor your approach accordingly. In pickup basketball, you can kind of tell where everyone is at. There are the guys who defend like it is the NBA Finals. There are also the two guys who seem to have a tacit agreement they won’t defend each other hardly at all – and they usually pair up on D. Mr. Stand in the Corner and shoot it but don’t move otherwise guy knows his game and isn’t going to strain too much. Set your own pace, get out and enjoy the day and have fun. Or, be that guy who never stops running and make 1,000 casts a day and cover water like a madman. (looking at you, Dwain)



Fundamentals

These old guys didn’t become three-point snipers or pinpoint passers without any practice. There are fundamentals in any sport, and fishing is no different. Learning different casts and making them with accuracy can really help. How about understanding the weather and how it will affect the fish that day? Do you know how to really work all of the baits you use to present them properly? Sometimes if a tourney is coming up where I think a technique is going to be a big player, pre-fishing is more about shaking off the rust on that technique than it is anything else. What fundamentals do you need to improve on for tournament competition?

NBA guard Paul George and Jacob Wheeler show their catch in a bass tournament. Source: USAToday

Know How You Can Score

The main objective in pickup basketball is to score, put the ball in the hoop. Same thing for fishing, get hooked up on a bass. What’s your go-to move to score? For some it is rebounding and stick-backs, others is long range camping out and shooting threes, for Mr. Energy guy it is just running around after loose balls. How can you score when things are tough in bass fishing? When times are tough, go to what you are confident you can do. Shakey-head, drop shot, Ned rig, etc. If you are spun out on the water, narrow your game to a confidence bait and get on the scoreboard.

Get In the Game

I’m not sure if there are serious parallels between pickup basketball and bass fishing – or it’s just been a long winter off the water. Either way, it’s time to get ready for the season, shake off the rust, and find your game for Spring!

2023 NSKA NWA Classic Recap

The season came to a close for 2023, with the 2023 NSKA NWA Ace of Blades Classic on a stingy Beaver Lake. The top 25 regular season points leaders, plus the Shootout winner competed for the Championship.

History of the Classic has been fairly consistent in what it would take to win. Looking back at the one and two day totals for past Champions, you see a couple of patterns:

  • 2019 – Jeriamy Vann – 75.25 / 74 = 149.25″ (Beaver)
  • 2020 – Jason Kincy – 83.75 / 75.75 = 159.50 (Beaver)
  • 2021 Cole Sikes – 76.50 / 80.25 = 156.75″ (LFS/TR)
  • 2002 – Justin Brewer – 79 / 73 = 152.00″ (TR/Beaver)
  • 2023 – Jacob Webber – 75.5 / 71.5 = 147.00″ (Beaver)

At the launch on day one, I said to an angler, “You can’t win it on day one, but you can lose it.” Looking at the history, this may not be totally correct. Each time except one, the higher total was on the first day. So, definitely have to get off to a hot start. Secondly, 147″ seems to be the floor for a chance to win. Each year I feel like if I can get to 150″ then I’ve got a shot. Thirdly, other than Cole, your name must start with the letter J. Ha!

2023 Classic Results

Overall, it was a very difficult day on the water. Beaver Lake seemed to be turning over, fish were scattered, a small cold front had just come through, and this may have been the lowest water level for an official NSKA event, ever. These created some challenging conditions.

Out of the 24 registered anglers, 13 caught a limit on both days – which is pretty good. Overall, the BPA was 4.81, putting it as slightly below average for an event. These numbers were buoyed by the fact that these were the top anglers for the year. But even that fact did not mean a fishing bonanza!

Jacob Webber took first place with a two-day total of 147″, with your AOY winner – Tyler Zengerle, finishing second with 146.75″. Third place went to Jamie Shumate with 137″. Big Bass was taken home by Justin Brewer for an 18.50″ largemouth bass.

Click to view
Big Bass for the Classic by Justin Brewer – 18.50″

Here were your top ten:

  1. Jacob Webber 147
  2. Tyler Zengerle 146.75
  3. Jamie Shumate 137
  4. Justin Brewer 16.50
  5. Jason Kincy 133
  6. Terrill Standifer 131
  7. Tony Sorluangsana 130.75
  8. Sam McClish 128
  9. Jason Coleman 127
  10. John Evans 126
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2023 Classic Champion – Jacob Webber!

Angler Roundtable

The Classic is a great two-day challenge that requires adjustment and diversity from the top anglers. Day one zone was from Hwy 12 bridge up lake to around Monte Ne. Day two zone stretched from Ventris down lake to just past Van Hollow. Our top finishers, Jacob Webber, Tyler Zengerle, and Jamie Shumate shared how they made it happen.

Going into the first day, what did you expect to work to catch fish…and did it work?

Jacob – I didn’t have any expectations going into it. I figured I would start with topwater and go from there. I had about five bites in the first 30 minutes on a Whopper Plopper and kept that in my hands for most of the day. Every once in a while I would try another lure, but couldn’t get anything else going. At the end of the day I pulled up to a giant brush pile that I marked earlier and was able to catch three on a jerk bait. I wanted to fish that spot earlier but there was a boat on it for the majority of the day.

Tyler – I expected to throw a Whopper Plopper for the first few hours but I gave up after a couple hundred yards of using it. It didn’t work in practice the weekend before, so I was quick to put it up on tourney day.

Jamie – Day one I went to Monte Ne. I started with a Whopper Plopper paralleling the bank when I would find a brush pile I would throw a shakey head. I basically kept the topwater in my hand all day.

What key baits or techniques caught most of your bass?

Jacob – I caught most of my fish on a Whopper Plopper day one, aside from three at the end that came on a jerk bait. Everything came on the Whopper Plopper on day two.

Tyler – Day one, all my fish came on a shakey head with a Gambler Sweebo 6.5” worm in Green Pumpkin and picked up a couple on a Ned rig using a Gambler Power Ned also in green pumpkin. Day two, my first three fish came on a Whopper Plopper (usually produces on the north end), and the same shakey head as day one.

Jamie – Whopper Plopper and shakey head.

Day two was a really difficult day for most. Were there any adjustments you made from day one that helped you get a limit?

Jacob – The only adjustment I made was going from a bone color to a more translucent color. I just wanted to cover as much water as I could on day two and hoped I would eventually come across some fish that would bite. I ran the battery on my motor down and ended up having to paddle back to the ramp.

Tyler – I didn’t make too many adjustments on day two, other than committing to the Whopper Plopper—As I knew it usually produces better on the north end. I tried to stay positive all day to grind out a limit which came later than it did on day one. I only caught six fish that day, but it was the self-encouragement that pushed me to the end.

Jamie – I started day two the same way but it was tough – I only caught six fish all day. They all came on a Whopper Plopper, last one at 9:27.

As the season ends, what was the biggest highlight for you this year on the water?

Jacob – The biggest highlight for me would have to be the first hour of the Beaver north tournament. It seemed like everywhere I threw resulted in a good fish. I feel like I’m usually grinding all day for a decent limit, so it felt great to have a good limit early for a change. Tenkiller is right up there too. I always have a ton of fun at that lake.

Tyler – This whole year has just been simply amazing. From a 13th place finish at the All-American Classic to placing my highest finish in an NWA event at our Classic(2nd) and of course earning the Angler of the Year title. I ended in a position that I didn’t think I would be in for a couple more years, and I’m thankful it happened this year.

Jamie – Can’t say that really had any highlights for the year – I guess finishing 3rd in the Classic is the best moment of the year for me.

That’s a wrap for 2023

Whether you finished at the top, met personal fishing goals, learned some things, or just did your first kayak tournament – Congratulations to all who participated this year. Thank you for turning out, and we look forward to next season.

Congrats to those who had some great accomplishments for 2023:

  • Tyler Zengerle – Angler of the Year
  • Tony Sorluangsana – Heavy Hitters Champ
  • Jacob Webber – Classic Champion
  • John Hall – Rookie of the Year
  • NSKA NWA – All-American Team Champions
  • Cole Sikes, NSKA NWA – All-American Champion
  • AOY Standings
  • Heavy Hitters Standings

2023 Beaver Lake August Recap / Heavy Hitter Champ / AOY Race

Crucible – “A place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development; a severe test.”

Beaver Lake has been pretty good to us the past couple of years. We’ve often referred to it as the Dead Sea, but that’s fallen away lately as the Beav has generated some really good fishing. This time around, the Dead Sea was back in full force for the annual test, or crucible in the August heat.

Storms, wake boats, jet skis, low water and tough conditions ruled the day. Some caught’em though, as always!

Christa Hibbs’ Big Bass on the day. That is a TINY tail for a big fish!

Tournament Recap

Overall, anglers didn’t do too bad for August when it came to catching fish. Fish per anglers (FPA) was a decent 5.4, however, it was a serious dink-fest.

Christa Hibbs made the drive up from the River Valley to take first place with 84.00″, followed by Dwain Batey with 82.50″ and Josh Landreth in third place with 78.50″ on the day. Christa also won Big Bass with a 21″ largemouth, which is a giant for Beaver Lake.

Your top 10:

  1. Christa Hibbs 84.00
  2. Dwain Batey 82.50
  3. Josh Landreth 78.50
  4. Levi Schneider 78.25
  5. Tyler Zengerle 75.50
  6. Nathan Higgins 72.75
  7. Cole Sikes 71.75
  8. Troy Enke 69.25
  9. Kyle Long 67.75
  10. Jason Kincy 67.75

Angler Roundtable

Our top finishers – Christa, Dwain and Josh tell us how it went down on Beaver Lake. Kudos to these winners and others who participated in recaps throughout the season, it helps new anglers learn and is great sportsmanship!

What part of beaver did you go to and why?

Christa – I decided to fish the southern end of the lake. I was interested in fishing stained water with less pressure.

Dwain – I was up near the dam. I always fish up that way for this event, I have a pattern that is hit or miss and doesn’t always work out but if it does you can win.

Josh – I went to the far south part of the lake because I’m most comfortable fishing shallow water and felt like I could find areas that were less pressured. I also wanted to get as far away from the boat traffic as possible.

What particular baits or techniques did you use for success?

Christa – I used a popper and buzz bait the entire day.

Dwain – I threw several different topwater baits.

Josh – I caught several on topwater early. They were small, and with the muddy water it seemed they were tucked close to wood. In pre-fishing I was only able to catch fish with the shakey head, but had a hard time getting them stuck good. On tournament day, I decided to use a Ned rig head with a Z Zinker worm as my finesse bait. It had an exposed hook and my hook up ratio was way better! It was definitely the key bait for me. I caught at least ten fish on that bait, including three of my keepers. I am not a finesse angler at all. So I really had to focus on every single piece of structure and make multiple casts. I knew my area was limited and I had to maximize its potential.

How did the weather (storms early, bright sun later) impact your approach or fishing?

Christa – The weather helped my bite for the most part. The overcast conditions allowed me to really cover some water quickly with topwater. Once the sun came out I slowed down some and focused on the higher percentage spots that were firing for the day only.

Dwain – The clouds and storms keep me from launching until after 7am. I also wasn’t able to get bit on the same topwater as I have used in the past and had to mix it up and fish some new water as well as covering more water. The low water was also an issue. I was glad to see the sun come out later but there was a period late when I didn’t ever get another bite but I had already done my damage by noon. No upgrades after then.

Josh – The weather honestly had little to no impact on my approach. I guess the water was muddier than I expected, so that changed things a bit.

Summer fishing can be very difficult for most people. In your mind what is the key to being able to beat the heat and catch fish?

Christa – During the summer the key for me is to have a more aggressive approach early in the morning with some sort of topwater. If conditions allow, I would stick with this approach all day. On hot and clear sky days I will chase the shade around until it is gone and then look at structure offshore.

Dwain – I was able to adjust to the conditions and also stick to my game plan for the entire day even though it appeared that it wasn’t going to materialize for several hours and I stayed the course until I was able to make it happen. There was over an hour between each of my last culls and two hours on my very last fish.

Josh – I love the summer! But, most of my experience is on creeks and rivers. Usually I struggle on the lake if I can’t get a topwater bite. For this tournament, I just went to an area that was like the rivers I fish. If you’re going to fish shallow in August, fish real shallow was kinda my thought process.

Heavy Hitters Champion

It was a close one this season with Tony and Josh battling down the stretch. By a very close margin, Tony Sorloungsana is your 2023 Heavy Hitter Champion! The top twelve totals are here:

We asked Tony some questions about his championship run:

What do you think has contributed to an increase in bigger fish this year?

Coming into the season I want to add more diversity to my arsenal, so I forced myself to learned and get use to off shore fishing. The 20” at Tenkiller, 19.50” at Pumpback, and the 21” from the Roadrunner all came from an off shore point.

Is there a technique/bait that has accounted for your success?

Without a doubt cranking deep water w/ a Strike King 6XD has been absolute money for the me in the summer months, if it wasn’t for that lure I don’t know think I would’ve been able to catch Josh.

Many people go a long time without a big fish in a tournament, any advice for them?

We live in this day in age where there is so much free knowledge and advice about fishing, soak it all in and use what makes sense to you. Getting comfortable being uncomfortable will give u a leg up on the competition. Shout out to Dwain Batey, last year he sent a tweet out about the mental game of tournament fishing and how to overcome. That tweet has help me get a better understanding that this is deeper game than just throwing a line and reeling it in.

Angler of the Year Race

Just like Heavy Hitters, the AOY crown is going to be a close finish. With the Classic looming (which counts for two events in AOY totals!) there are several possible outcomes.

Tyler maintains his lead and has a nice cushion. As long as he has a decent performance in the Classic, he’s in good shape to hold on. If he bombs…Josh, Kyle, and Dwain are in reach. Big days from them and a so-so day from the current leader could make this interesting.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all anglers who participated in an event this year. Kayak tournaments can make you a better at bass fishing, and I’m sure everyone who did an event learned something they can use down the road. Was a great regular season and hope everyone is back next year!

2023 NSKA NWA Road Runner Recap / AOY / Heavy Hitters

The10 fish road runner in northwest Arkansas promised to be an exciting event for some, and a challenging one for others. Even though the limit total increased, there were some familiar faces and familiar places in the Top 10.

Anglers fanned out in a 35 mile radius from Springdale, fishing any eligible body of water they wanted. The 10 fish limit did seem to change some dynamics on where anglers went, and thinned out the crowd at some of the usual suspect lakes – Lincoln Lake and Siloam Springs City Lake.

Tournament Results

Overall it was a great day of fishing for the field, and many fisheries got pounded in pursuit of 10 bass. Even though it took ten fish for a limit, a respectable 61% turned in a full limit. FPA is a bit off on calculation since we had 10 fish, but an adjusted total (Total fish/anglers/2) is a strong 4.88, putting it in the top half of tournaments this year.

In the preview I predicted the winning total to be in the mid 160s and I underestimated that total just a bit. Also shot a bit low on predictions for fifth and tenth place. Anglers just handled their business! We were correct in some tough fishing at Lincoln and Siloam, and that rivers would contribute to a couple of Top Ten scores.

Big Bass from Cole Sikes at Lake Elmdale.

Dwain Batey continued the Siloam City Lake tradition by taking 1st place with a robust 170.75″, followed by Cole Sikes on Elmdale with 170.50″, and Jason Adams with 155.00″ for third place. Cole Sikes also took Big Bass with a 22.25″ behemoth. Overall, it was a good big fish day with seven 20+ bass caught in competition. For the seventh time in eight road runners, Siloam City Lake was a major factor. Unreal.

Road Runner Top 10:

  • Dwain Batey 170.75
  • Cole Sikes 170.50
  • Jason Adams 155.00
  • Brandon Prince 152.25
  • Jason Kincy 151.50
  • Kyle Long 146.25
  • John Evans 145.25
  • Justin Brewer 144.50
  • Brian Lookadoo 142.75
  • Josh Goforth 142.00


Angler Roundtable

Dwain Batey, Cole Sikes, and Jason Adams shared the secrets of their success on the road in NWA:

1) What lake did you go to and why?

Dwain – Despite its nature of being so difficult to get a five fish limit let alone a ten fish limit I chose Siloam Springs City Lake. I felt like I would have my best chance to win there even at the risk of not getting a limit.

Cole – I’m not able to get out and go fishing as much anymore so I went with Lake Elmdale because I know it really well and knew I could easily catch 10 fish out there. I also know there are plenty of giants in there from my experience on the lake and figured one kicker would go a long ways in this 10 fish format.

Jason – Oh, let me tell you about my latest bass fishing adventure at Crystal Lake in NW Arkansas! It’s one of my favorite lakes around, and with the Yak Pot success a few weeks back, it was an obvious choice. Initially, I almost changed my mind due to the rain, considering Elmdale, but decided to stick with my gut and headed to Crystal Lake.

2) Any particular baits or ways you caught them?

Dwain – My pre-fishing patterns all fell apart and I junk fished with two crankbaits, three plastic worms and a topwater bait.

Cole – I was able to get out briefly to go pre-fishing and I was able to put together two patterns. I had an early-morning shallow bite with a buzz bait and spinnerbait to get a quick 10 fish limit of 13-14 inchers. Once the sun got up, I drug a Texas rigged worm offshore where I would catch my kickers and better quality.

Jason – Now, when it comes to baits, I’ll admit I haven’t been fishing much lately. But that trusty jig from my last tournament at Table Rock did the trick yet again. I hadn’t even prepped my equipment before the event, but luckily I checked the jig and knot just in time. That same jig was responsible for all 10 fish I caught that day – no culls, 10 bites, and 10 solid catches!

3) What’s a bait you thought would work going into the event that didn’t work as well as you thought?

Dwain – I had a strong pattern with the chatterbait and wound up not catching a single fish on it during the event despite others at the same lake reporting it was their primary bait.

Cole – During the few hours of pre-fishing I was able to catch some good fish offshore with a jig and free-rig but those didn’t pan out during the tournament.

Jason – I did have a bit of a nostalgic moment when I thought a squarebill crank bait would do wonders. You know how it is when we remember that one time we hooked a massive bass with a particular bait in a specific spot? Well, that’s exactly what happened to me at Crystal Lake before, but unfortunately, lightning didn’t strike twice, and the crank bait didn’t produce the same magic this time.

4) What did you think about the 10 fish limit and did it change any strategies?

Dwain – I loved the challenge of 10 fish and I hope we do that again in the future. I didn’t really change my strategy for the 10 fish and tried to focus on catching larger fish the entire time and letting the limit come naturally. I didn’t want to waste time looking for a small limit first and wind up not having enough time to upgrade.

Cole – The 10 fish limit was a lot of fun and would love to do it again but maybe with everyone on the same lake. The new format didn’t change my strategy, I fished the patterns that made sense for the time of day and for summertime.

Jason – Now, the 10 fish limit was a game-changer for me. Usually, getting a 5-fish limit is already a challenge, but this time, I was thrilled to reach the 10 fish mark. I must say, though, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. By 1 PM, I had only managed 8 fish, and I prayed for those last two to complete my limit. Thankfully, the fishing gods smiled upon me, and I got a 16″ and a 17″ to round out the limit. But boy, those two stubborn 13-inch bass just didn’t want to budge! Overall, it was an exciting and challenging day at Crystal Lake, and I couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. Bass fishing always keeps me on my toes, and that’s why I love it! Can’t wait for the next adventure on the water!

Angler of the Year

The Angler of the Year race is very tight going down the stretch. Nobody in the top spots hurt themselves badly, but Kyle Long and Dwain Batey made solid moves. With the Crucible on Beaver Lake and the Classic to go, it’s a race between Landreth, Zengerle, Long, Webber and Batey.

The real drama starts to unfold in the final spots for the Classic. The top 25 make the field. Right now there are folks in the top 25 who may fall out if others have a good Crucible and replace low scores. If you are numbers 20-25, you need a top 20 finish to feel good about getting in.

Heavy Hitters

As we identified in the last recap, this is a two horse race, and one of them just galloped into the lead in this event. Tony Sorluangsana caught a Beaver Lake beast and has vaulted into the lead. As it stands right now, Josh needs a very big fish in the Crucible to win at the wire over Tony.

One more regular season event to go – fish anywhere you want on Beaver Lake and find the best five keepers you can!

2023 NWA Road Runner Preview

Back on the road again for the 2023 NSKA NWA ZPro Road Runner event. This event gives anglers the opportunity to fish the waters they feel the most comfortable on, close to home, or where they have the most confidence they can catch a limit. What is in store for the 2023 edition – now requiring a 10-fish limit – and where will the winning totals come from?

Last year in the road runner preview, we pretty much predicted where the winning total and the pool of waters where the top limits would come from. This time around it’s going to be a bit more of a mystery and a LOT more wide open. With the dramatic change to a 10 fish limit, the playing field between lakes has been leveled and there are many options.

To win the title this year, an angler will need to turn in a limit of 10 fish for the longest total. There are two recipies for a winning total thanks to the change. Two or three big fish at the top along with bass of descending size to smaller 13s or 14s at the bottom can make up a winning total, however, what may be more likely is a total of 10 fish ranging from 15-17s across the board. So where can you find a limit for either of those recipes?

Clues from AGFC Data

Everyone has their own experiences and opinions on the quality of fishing at area lakes and waterways. That said, let’s look at some data to see what the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says from their fisheries management studies.

Two key measures are what we’re most interested in for this preview:

  • CPUE – Cost Per Unit Effort measures the abundance of a particular species in a body of water. (higher is better)
  • PSD – Proportional Stock Density is a ratio (expressed as percentage) between the number of quality-sized individuals or larger individuals and stock-sized individual fish. (higher is better)

In the chart below, we see the ratios for CPUE and PSD for the bodies of water in bounds and available data for Black Bass, averaged for the past 10 years. (data available only on these lakes)

No description available.

So what does all this mean? For the lakes shown here, it indicates that there is a higher density of Black Bass at Elmdale and Crystal than the others. Note the low CPUE for Beaver Lake, but keep in mind this is only for Black Bass and does not include Spotted Bass or Smallmouth. So the aggregate CPUE for Beaver in total is much higher than shown here. According to the PSD ratio, there are more quality fish (proportionately) as a share of the population at Crystal, Lincoln, and Beaver. Would have to believe that Siloam City Lake would be very similar to Lincoln and Bob Kidd numbers if we had the data – lower fish population fish density, but larger size penetration.

So what does THAT all that mean?? In short, Elmdale and Crystal have more total bass density and should be easier to catch a limit than the others. Elmdale has the highest expected catch rate, but you may need to catch more than 10 to find the right quality – but there are definitely bigs there. Crystal may be the most balanced, with a surprising mix of number of fish with some decent quality available. However, the biggest number of quality bass and chances to catch larger fish seem to exist at Lincoln, Bobb Kidd, and Beaver Lake, but the quantity of fish makes this very challenging and can burn you. That’s the very scary thing, when’s the last time you caught ten fish (or even close) at Lincoln or Siloam or Bob Kidd in one trip?? Along with the pressure of other anglers at the same time? Six anglers on one small lake try to catch 60 fish?! That’s the risk.

The dark horse candidate for the best combination of ability to catch a limit and possibly win the whole thing could be Table Rock. It has everything needed, abundant fish population, large fish, and familiarity for a lot of anglers. Wish we had CPUE and PSD for it – but I couldn’t locate this data.

The hard numbers above of course do not include key locations such as Siloam City Lake, Lake Sequoya, Table Rock, Atalanta, Lake Wedington, Lake Fayetteville, and the main rivers (Kings, Elk, Sugar, War Eagle, and Illinois). The rivers likely have the highest average catch rate by far, but we don’t have this hard data. The right pool on a river can hold a limit in one spot. It is no secret that Beaver and Table Rock are serious contenders, and the ten fish limit immediately makes the rivers a major threat.

Big Fish Totals – Last Few Years

As we look back at NSKA NWA tournaments and where the largest limits were produced, there are some clear trends regarding those in the boundaries. The most productive big 5-fish limit lakes in bounds have been Siloam City Lake (4), Lincoln Lake (4), Table Rock (3), and Beaver Lake (3). How will they fare when 10 are required?

Last year Lincoln Lake bounced back after being completely irrelevant for a few years, and Siloam City Lake once again (sixth time in the past seven RRs) finished in the top three.

Winning Road Runner Locations over the past seven years:

  • 2016 – Crystal Lake
  • 2017 – Elk River (Rivers only RR)
  • 2017 – Siloam City Lake
  • 2018 – Siloam City Lake
  • 2019 – Siloam City Lake
  • 2020 – Lake X (not identified publicly)
  • 2021 – Siloam City Lake
  • 2022 – Lincoln Lake

What’s Going to Happen?

Due to the ten fish limit, this is new territory for the road runner, but I do think the numbers and history for road runners and MLF-style events lay out the most likely scenarios:

  • It will take 160+ to win. However, I think predictions of 170+ are too much. Sweet spot for a victory will be between 162-168 inches.
  • Likely a huge drop-off between 1st and 5th place. I’d estimate 5th place to be around 145-147 inches.
  • Tenth place will be in the 133-140 range as people start stacking up with tightly bunched totals in the 130s and 120s.
  • A LOT of people who go to Lincoln, Siloam, or Bobb Kidd will struggle to catch a limit. They are fishing very tough right now.
  • Rivers will be the ticket to a LOT of limits, and likely some Top-10 finishes.

The Last Word

Many people hate road runners because of the stress of trying to decide where to go. But they are great for giving options and involving all the area fisheries. If you don’t know where to go, simply choose where you want to spend the day and where you’ll enjoy fishing. This thing is wide open. Can’t go wrong with that. Good luck!

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