Late August and early September on Beaver Lake brings a special challenge to the anglers each year. I believe this is the toughest stretch for fishing the lake and is the timing for the annual tradition of the NSKA Crucible – a situation of severed trial and pressure. This last regular season event is when the Classic field is finalized and some season long races take shape.
Tournament Results
Per usual, as the fishing gets tough during the late summer and anglers who have struggled fall out of the standings the field shrinks a bit. A total of 34 entrants took on Beaver Lake in early September, 53% turned in a limit, and almost everyone turned in at least one bass. The Fish Per Angler (FPA) ratio was 5.02, which was fairly respectable. There were fish caught on this day but size was elusive to almost all.
Tyler Zengerle took first place with 81.00″, and Levi Schneider took 2nd with 80.25″, while Jason Kincy was 3rd with 77.75: on the day. Jason Kincy also won Big Bass with a modest 18.75″ largemouth.
Beaver Lake top 10:
- Tyler Zengerle – 81.00
- Levi Schneider – 80.25
- Jason Kincy – 77.75
- Jacob Wilkie – 73.50
- John Evans – 72.50
- Jacob Webber – 72.00
- Josh Landreth – 66.75
- Jamie Schumate – 66.75
- Bryan Caresia – 66.25
- James Haeberle – 64.00
Angler Roundtable
As usual, kayak anglers are generous and helpful to other anglers learning the sport. Our top three finishers, Tyler Zengerle, Levi Schneider, and Jason Kincy share the details from their winning day.
Where did you go and why?
Tyler – I went to Indian Creek because I have a lot of confidence in that area in the summer. Even though the temperatures were going to be lower, I thought the summer patterns would still hold true (they didn’t).
Levi – I went to Indian Creek because I figured they’d be acting like the Bull Shoals fish I’d been chasing and looking for bait in the backs of creeks.
Jason – Fished the 412 / Blue Springs area because I just felt the river might be better than mid-lake this time of year. It took covering a lot of water to find the fish I found, no real pattern was evident.
What were some of the key baits or techniques that caught your fish?
Tyler – I caught a couple fish on Bryan Thrift’s micro football jig and the rest of my fish on the trusty shakey head.
Levi – I caught all my fish on a Damiki rig, Berkley Krej, and my last keeper on a Jackall counter back flutter spoon.
Jason – It was a junk fishing type of day for sure. Caught some on a War Eagle buzzbait, jig, swim jig, and War Eagle spinnerbait.
What was your key catch and how did it happen?
Tyler – My key catch came at 1:13pm on the jig. It was a 15.25” Smallmouth, which allowed me to finish with 81.00”. Without that fish, I would’ve finished in 2nd.
Levi – I managed a 17.50” largie and a 17” spot but the biggest one was my 16.75” smallie I caught in the last 30 minutes because it jumped me into second after going awhile with no big upgrades. I caught him flutter spooning brush piles.
Jason – You could say it was my first fish of the day, an 18.75″ on a buzzbait, but really it was probably the 16.25″ I caught later in the morning off a dock that gave me some confidence. Hadn’t caught a fish in a while and was starting to get discouraged before this one.
With the Classic coming up, how do you prepare or what’s your mindset going in?
Tyler – I try to keep it simple and fish my strengths. I don’t intend on trying something new or fancy. This one will take extra mental strength with being in contention for AOY, so I’ll have to manage my emotions better and make better decisions.
Levi – I honestly don’t have any plans or intentions of changing anything for the classic. All year I’ve been basically going in blind with a few ideas of what the fish might be doing but try to keep an open mind and just let the fish tell me what they want as the day goes on.
Jason – I agree with Tyler and Levi about keeping it simple and fishing your strengths. It is important to really focus on that first day and get off to a decent start for day one and just stay in range. Then day two you can close it out for the win.
Heavy Hitters Champ
Heavy Hitters was settled in this last event on Beaver Lake. Levi Schneider took the title for 2024 with his best five score of 96.00″ for the season. Jason Kincy was 2nd with 95.50″ followed by Josh Landreth in third with 94.00″ in total. Congrats to Levi on taking the win!
Angler of the Year and Classic Qualifiers Field
As the regular season comes to a close, it cements the outcome for the top 25 anglers who will be in the Classic Championship. The top 25 is below, congratulations to all who made it! For those who did not get in, you have another chance by entering the Classic Shootout on Sept 14 – enter by Sept 12!
The Angler of the Year race now seems to be down to three anglers: Jason Kincy, Levi Schneider, and Tyler Zengerle. Points are double for the Classic so any of the three could win. It is possible that if all three completely flame out someone else could make it interesting, but the way this season has gone I expect all three to be in the top 10 for the event.
Nominate NSKA NWA Sportsman of the Year
Kyle Long is taking nominations for Sportsman of the Year. The club has many great people as well as great anglers who are helpful, work in the best interest of the club, and are quality ambassadors of the sport. If you would like to recognize an angler and nominate them, please contact Kyle Long before the Classic with your nomination.