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NSKA

2024 NSKA NWA Beaver Lake North Recap / Heavy Hitters / AOY Race

Event four on the season was the first of back to back trips to the Dead Sea for the NSKA NWA crew. Beaver Lake has actually done pretty well in recent years and put out some good limits. The northern stop was likely to be the smaller winning total over the southern stop coming up on June 22nd. With road closures, runaway docks and marinas, and summer boats everywhere, it wasn’t quite as wide open as usual in fishing options. But as usual, the NSKA anglers found a way.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Going forward, the tournament recap will be emailed to NSKA subscribers 48 hours before posted live to Kayakfishingfocus.com. If you want to receive the recap sooner than later, GO SIGN UP HERE to receive the club emails.

The smallest bass award and $42 goes to Bryan Caresia – A 3.75″ Largemouth, congratulations!. This is way harder to do than to catch a 20″ Largemouth! Source: TourneyX

Tournament Recap

On the heels of a stormy week in Northwest Arkansas, the fishing was pretty good for some and pretty tough for others. It seemed to come down to location as a key factor – as several of the Top 10 fished within sight of each other.

Kyle Long won his second event in a row with a good 83.00″ limit! Dwain Batey was second with 80.75″, and Josh Landreth third with 80.25″ for the event. Big Bass also went to Josh Landreth for a 20.50″ largemouth.

The Top Ten Finishers:

  1. Kyle Long 82.00
  2. Dwain Batey 80.75
  3. Josh Landreth 80.25
  4. Levi Schneider 80.25
  5. Tyler Zengerle 80.00
  6. Jason Kincy 79.00
  7. John Hall 79.00
  8. Mike Zajicek 78.50
  9. Jobie Vongpraphanh 77.75
  10. Justin Brewer 77.50
Josh Landreth’s Big Bass from Beaver Lake North – 20.50″ Good thing this wasn’t by weight. Source: TourneyX

Angler Roundtable

Pull up a chair and learn how the top finishers found and caught their bass. Thanks to Kyle, Dwain, Josh, and Levi for sharing their experiences with us.

Where did you go and why?

Kyle – I went to Prairie Creek. I had to leave early for my daughter’s dance recital so that was the closest place to be able to stay the longest before I had to go. And because it’s a great area of the lake.

Dwain – I fished Prairie Creek, if the event had been later in the summer I would have went further north, but because of the time of year I wanted to stay mid-lake. It’s always super busy in PC, but I felt like I could fish differently enough to still catch fish.

Josh – I fished a creek arm with the most stain I could find. Thursday evening I fished there for about an hour and found really high quality fish.

Levi – I went to Indian Creek because I knew it’d be the clearest water I could fish that also suits my strengths.

What were some of the key baits or techniques you used to catch your bass?

Kyle – Three baits got almost every bite. Fluke early, shakyhead midday, and spinnerbait late.

Dwain – I started off using a buzzbait, then caught one on a fluke, then one on a carolina rig, then a few pitching a creature bait, and even caught a key fish or two on a wake bait. Basically I was 100% junk fishing after the first run with the buzzbait stopped working.

Josh – I caught my big fish on a chatterbait in about two feet of water. Other than that, it was just junk fishing all day. Two of the fish in my bag were on a wacky rig and two were on a shakyhead. I knew from my hour of pre-fishing that if the fish were still there on Saturday, I’d be in contention.

Levi – I caught my best five on a spook and a flutter spoon but caught others on a Damiki rig and a hair jig.

Describe when you knew you might be in contention for a trophy.

Kyle – I’d say at around 1:00. Culled an inch on a spinnerbait with a 16” which doesn’t seem like much, but based on where I was and the conditions, I knew if I made enough casts in the highest percentage areas I had a chance to upgrade some more. I knew I was in contention for a Top 5 before that, but when I caught that 16 I really believed I was gonna place top three with a chance to win.

Dwain – I was on top of the leader board most of the day and having the board showing was nice, several of us had a good back and forth going towards the end of the event and even though I usually don’t look at the leader board anyway it was exciting to watch it go down real time.

Josh – When I caught the 20.5″ at 6:20am, I knew I’d have a chance if I could get enough bites. I have a feeling it was a fish I shook off on Thursday night.

Levi – Whenever I pulled up to a point and caught my two biggest on back to back casts I knew I had a shot to win because they jumped me to second at the time. Unfortunately I jumped my biggest bite off in the last 10 minutes that would’ve sealed the deal. It still stings a little but I’m always grateful for the opportunity to be in contention

What’s your favorite rod and reel setup and what do you use it for?

Kyle – That new spinnerbait rod y’all got me last year has been phenomenal. It’s without question the best quality set up I own. But after that one, it’s got to be my shaky head rod. Reel is just a spinning reel from Walmart, the rod is a BPS rod that isn’t fancy, but I sure love the way it puts them in the boat.

Dwain – I would probably have to go with an 8:1 gear ratio bait cast reel, I’m not brand loyal but I have a lot of the white BPS reels. I like a MH 7′ 6” rod with that and even though this sounds like a single rod, depending on the brand the vary wildly in how light or heavy their MH rods are. So I have several different brands to cover different techniques. For example the way I rig and fish a fluke I need a MH rod that’s on the heavy side of MH, but for a Chatterbait I might go with a MH rod that is more on the light side of MH.

Josh – My equipment needs an overhaul, honestly. I spend a lot of time on the river, and the river is hard on stuff. And I’m cheap. So, I don’t have the best equipment. If I could avoid ever having a spinning rod in my hand, I would. So those need to be thrown in the trash. Right now, my favorite setup is a 7′ MH TPO Professional rod that I won in a drawing at the Classic in 2022. It’s paired with an old RevoX reel. I’ve been using it as my chatterbait rod. Pretty soon, I’ll swap over to using it for topwater. It’s just a good utility setup.

Levi – My favorite combo is my flutter spoon setup which is a 8.3:1 Johnny Morris platinum with a 7’6” MH bass pro cranking stick that’s equipped with 17lb fluorocarbon.

Heavy Hitters

There were some good fish caught on Beaver Lake, but only one 20, so it didn’t do too much to shake up the Heavy Hitters race. This was Landreth’s second 20 of the year, so it definitely puts him in a good position to move up. With four events left, it is still pretty much anybody’s to win.

Green means it is a “great” score and yellow means a “good” score – no color means it needs replaced by another score if possible.

Angler of the Year Race

It has been an unusual season so far, with all four events being won by only two anglers. This has resulted in a couple of leaders, but others have also had consistent top finishes. With four events to go and the ability to drop two, there SEVERAL anglers in serious contention. More importantly, almost the entire field has a chance for the Top 25 and a Classic spot. Theoretically, with four events to go, an angler would only have to keep two of their first two scores. It’s going to go down to the wire!

Green means it is a “great” score and yellow means a “good” score – no color means it needs replaced by another score if possible.

Yakpots in NW Arkansas

Summer Yakpot season is underway, with the first one of the summer at Hwy 412 ramp on Wednesday, June 5 at 6:00pm. We will set up a Yakpot schedule for the next 2-3 months. Stay tuned! In the interim, be sure to join the NWA WEEKLY YAKPOT FACEBOOK GROUP to stay on top of days and locations going forward.

Next Event

The next event is Beaver Lake South on June 22nd. Go sign up now on TourneyX!

NSKA, Uncategorized

2024 NSKA NWA Road Runner Recap / Heavy Hitters / AOY

This year’s edition of the NWA NSKA Road Runner had one of the largest areas in-bounds in several years. With a 55 mile radius in play, the Jackson Safety Systems Road Runner meant kayak anglers had more than 100 public water options to choose from for the day! Conventional wisdom was that the May event would yield bigger totals than the heat of the summer – did that come true?

Jacob Wilkie’s 22″ beast for Big Bass.

Tournament Results

Being a 10 fish event, it’s a little difficult to evaluate the overall fishing vs an average NSKA NWA event. We do have the last couple of years for a comparison, but as mentioned above this one was in July and not May. In 2023 the average Fish Per Angler (FPA) was 9.06 in 2023, and in 2024 it was 8.02 FPA. First three places in 2023 were 170.75, 170.50, and 155 – how did that compare to this year’s event?

Kyle Long took first place with 173.25, Dwain Batey was second with 170.75, and Jake Simmons third with 166.00 on the day. Big Bass was a 22.00 monster caught by Jacob Wilkie. He caught in on Little Sugar Creek on a fluke, and on a lightweight rod it was quite a battle!

So, overall, May 2024 gets the slight edge over July of 2023.

The Top Ten Finishers:

  1. Kyle Long – 173.25
  2. Dwain Batey – 170.75
  3. Jacob Simmons – 166.00
  4. Josh Landreth – 164.00
  5. Jason Kincy – 160.00
  6. John Hall – 157.75
  7. Andrew Newsom – 157.50
  8. Tyler Zengerle – 157.25
  9. Levi Schneider – 157.00
  10. Jacob Wilkie – 151.75

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Angler Roundtable

The top finishing anglers share their secrets of how they did it on tournament day. Thank you to Kyle Long, Dwain Batey, Jake Simmons and Josh Landreth for sharing with us!

1) Where did you go to fish and why?

Kyle – I went to Pumpback. I love that place so much. I know it’s been pretty bad but I also remember what it’s like when it’s good so I wanted to take the risk. I hadn’t prefished at all so it was 100% a gut feeling call. I was prepared to move if it didn’t work out but I didn’t have to.

Dwain – I started at Siloam Springs City Lake, no surprise there. I had plans to move midday to another lake, but by that time I was already too tired to move so I just kept grinding it out.

Jake – I really wanted to go to Spavinaw but I just never had a chance to get over there and get a permit so I wound up at Pumpback which is just five minutes from the house.

Josh – I went to Siloam City Lake. I had pre-fished there about 10 days prior to the event and had 173″ with two dinks in less than four hours. I also pre-fished Spavinaw and had a great day there too, but it was a long drive. I knew I’d kick myself if Siloam produced the winner and I didn’t try, even though I was worried about not being able to find 10.

2) What were some of your main baits and techniques that performed for you?

Kyle – Spinnerbait was the only thing I could get bit on early. After the shad spawn was over though, it kinda went pretty dead. Later in the day, the wacky worm on steeper “bluffier” type banks got me two huge culls.

Dwain – I caught most of my fish on a topwater, and a few pitching, and late in the day when everything was slow I found a cull or two with a wacky rig.

Jake – I started off with a buzzbait and had a bunch of blowups but they just never would get it, I switched to a fluke and that’s what things took off. I caught them early working it right on the top of the water, as the day went on I had to fish it deeper in the water column.

Josh – I caught all my fish on either a chatterbait or shaky head rigged with a senko style worm, both in practice and during the event. Exactly like Dwain said, I had planned to fish until mid-morning and then leave if things weren’t going great. I expected to catch quality, but didn’t know if I could get enough bites. The day was kind of the opposite. I caught 5-6 small fish early, but wasn’t finding the quality.

3) What was the key fish you caught and talk a bit about that catch.

Kyle – I had a good bag already but I had a few 14’s I wanted to get rid of. It had been several hours between good bites but I saw a fish blow up on something in front of me. I tossed a wacky worm in there and let it soak for a while. It finally bit and that clued me into slowing down which got me three other big bites later in the day.

Dwain – I caught my key fish on a topwater very early and it’s always good to knock out a kicker really early in the day for confidence.

Jake – My key fish was the first one I caught, it gave me confidence in a fluke and was my first fluke fish ever.

Josh – At about 10:00, I was trying to decide whether to stay or go, and I caught a 17.75″ on a chatterbait. After that, I slowed way down in the same area with the shaky head and caught a 20″ within minutes off the same patch of grass and filled my limit from there. It was a cool bite too. When I set the hook, the fish took off into the grass, pulling drag. Fun bite! I didn’t get a bite for the last two hours.

4) In retrospect, was there a bait or technique you should have used?

Kyle – In retrospect, I don’t think I would have done one thing different. It was a magical day and I had a blast all day long.

Dwain – I didn’t fail to utilize any bait or technique, but I did have some issues with getting fish in the kayak, I lost quite a few fish that would have helped me significantly, most of them very early so they didn’t seem nearly as significant at the time but later on they were sorely missed at the end of the day. I usually have to analyze why I lose fish and try to adjust something, rod, line size, drag, hook or bait choice to improve for next time. But honestly I don’t think any of the fish I lost were due to equipment or technique, just how the fish were biting funny that day and after my first two events I’m more than happy to finish up on the podium.

Jake – My regret comes from not spending enough time on the water in general. I lost a 7lber early because I didn’t realize how hard I have to set the hook with a fluke. I lost a 17+ right after and learned pretty quick!

Josh – In hindsight, I should have changed things up. Another angler was fishing a flat and caught a few good fish in the afternoon. I just didn’t know how to do that and didn’t want to invade his area. But going two hours to end the day without a bite, I should have done something different. I lost a 20″ ish and an 18″ ish as well. Like Dwain said, they were just biting weird that day. The bite was so light, and I just didn’t get them stuck good.

Heavy Hitters Standings

Three events in and there aren’t many 20s on the board, which means there is a lot of opportunity for anglers to get in the race. Everyone is 100% in the running because it is only best five fish and you have five more events to go. Here are the top 20 after three events:

Angler of the Year Race

Here are your current top 25 anglers, and there’s a long way to go in the Angler of the Year race. Several anglers are very much in it, and really almost everyone is because you can drop two events. While interesting to look at, these rankings don’t mean much at this point. But, I should point out I’m in front of Kyle Long, which does matter. 😉

Next Up

The next event is on June 1 – Black Creek Electric Beaver Lake North. Check it out and get signed up today. Time to head to our home lake for some fun tournament action.

NSKA

2024 NSKA Tenkiller Kayak Tournament Recap / AOY / Heavy Hitters

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My Dad has always said that April is the toughest month for fishing in this part of the country – the bass may not have moved up as much as you think they have, or have moved up faster. It can be feast or famine depending on the day and location. This seemed true leading up to the Lake Tenkiller kayak tournament for NSKA, presented by H2 Heat and Air. Several who pre-fished were finding it stingy, and seemingly behind other lakes like Table Rock or Beaver. Tenkiller wouldn’t be a pushover on tournament day.

Tournament Results

Overall, it was a case of the have and the have nots among the anglers on Lake Tenkiller. Of the 48 registered anglers, only 38 (79%) turned in a bass, while a paltry 20 (42%) turned in a five fish limit. The Fish Per Angler (FPA) metric was really low as well with a 3.71 FPA. This FPA rate is much lower than the 6.18 we had for the NSKA Table Rock 1.0 event in March and among some of the lower FPAs in recent seasons.

For the second straight event, Jason Kincy took first place with a total of 87.25″ on the day. Justin Brewer took second with 84.50″, Tyler Zengerle third with 84.25″, and Christa Hibbs fourth with 83.75″. Abraham Garcia took the Big Bass prize with a 20.00″ Smallmouth!

Abraham Garcia’s Big Bass from the Lake Tenkiller kayak tournament

Top 10 Lake Tenkiller Anglers:

  1. Jason Kincy 87.25
  2. Justin Brewer 84.50
  3. Tyler Zengerle 84.25
  4. Christa Hibbs 83.75
  5. Levi Schneider 83.75
  6. John Evans 83.50
  7. Cole Sikes 81.75
  8. Caroline Hibbs 81.50
  9. John Hall 80.25
  10. Will Atchison 80.00

Angler Roundtable

The four top anglers from the Lake Tenkiller kayak tournament shared how they did it on a very, very windy day in Oklahoma. Here are the deets from Jason, Justin, Tyler, and Christa.

Where did you go on Tenkiller and why?

Jason – I went to the Snake Creek area, as it was about the only place I caught a fish in pre-fishing, and was going to be a bit more out of the wind on the east side of Tenkiller.

Justin – I chose to go to Chicken Creek and fish the mid-lake section. I would normally got to the river area because I’m not a clear water guy but that area hasn’t been fishing well and I got good bites in practice mid-lake.

Tyler – I chose to fish between Snake Creek and the State park, primarily to be protected from the wind.

Christa – I fished in Snake Creek. I selected this area to have a little bit of a break from the strong winds.

How did you catch your fish, what techniques or baits?

Jason – I caught a keeper on my first cast with a Booyah Covert spinnerbait, and all of my other keepers came on a Carolina rig. I had a feeling a Carolina rig would play, so had to drive to the Tahlequah Walmart the night before to pick up some beads, swivels, and hooks. Didn’t have a c-rig weight so I used a flipping weight instead.

Justin – I caught fish a a few different baits but the majority and bigger fish came on a War Eagle heavy finesse jig with Yum Craw Chunk trailer. One keeper in my limit was on a 6” Magdraft swimbait.

Tyler – First fish was on a 6” Swimbait and the rest of them were on a shakey head.

Christa – I caught all of my fish on a jigging spoon. I focused mainly on the tire reefs and used my xi3 to position my boat in the wind.

What was the key fish for you and how did it go down?

Jason – I should say the 18.00″ one that put me in first, but honestly it was a 14.00″ that was my third bass that day. I’d gone a while without catching a fish, so I relocated to a different area to find some activity. Caught this one on my second cast in that area which told me I was on the right track. I stayed the rest of the day in a stretch probably no more than 40 yards long.

Justin – A 17.00” cull fish around 1:00 that helped me settle in to my spot after I made the risky decision to go across the lake. I went on to catch another 17.00” cull a few minutes later to bump me to my final length of 84.50”.

Tyler – Key fish was around 1:30. I went back to the area I started in and when I got there, boats were leaving and some were entering, so I knew it had been fished over pretty well. First dock I pulled up to, I threw my shakey head at the front corner and let it sink to the bottom. Few seconds later, line started moving and set the hook on a decent smallmouth. I fought it for a few minutes, thinking it was my PB (it wasn’t), and was doing whatever I could to keep the fish from jumping and spitting the hook. It was a glorious feeling to get her in and also catch her in front of a bass boat 😉

Christa – My key fish was a 19-incher I caught later in the day. I was on the far wind blown edge of where I was fishing at that time. The fish hit it on the fall and quickly ran off with it. If I wasn’t spot locked in place, that fish would have probably never made it in the boat in that wind.

Is that the windiest tournament you’ve been in? If not, what was?

Jason – This was probably the one where I was exposed to the most wind, I fished wind all day long and was so tired by the end! But the windiest was several years ago on Swepco. Everyone knows that place is a wind tunnel in March and that day I quit before the day was over because I couldn’t hardly go against the wind and it was just dangerous.

Justin – Pretty close if not. There was a tournament on Lake Fork I fished that was pretty close but I can’t remember which was worse. All I remember is waves coming over the front of the kayak.

Tyler – Honestly, I think last Tenkiller tournament was worse than this one. Either that, or the TOC on Lake Fork in 2018 – this one probably felt worse because I was paddling at the time!

Christa – The windiest tournament I’ve fished was a few years ago on Dardanelle. I was fishing in a cut off of the main river channel most of the day. When the day was over, I came back to the main river to head back to the launch. The wind had picked up as the day went on. The combination of the current and wind made it unmanageable to cross the river safely. I no longer could control any direction I was moving. I banked the boat and waited a couple hours to cross safely.

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

Jason – Insta: @kayakfishingfocus Youtube: @kayakfishingfocus

Justin – Insta: @justinb_fishing Youtube: @JustinB_Fishing

Tyler – Insta: @tz_yakfishing Youtube: @tzkayakfishing

Christa – Insta: @chibbsfishing Youtube: @christa_hibbs_fishing (coming soon)

Keep up with NSKA Updates: Sign up for Emails

AOY and Heavy Hitters Standings

Two events in and the early part of the season is taking shape. There’s a looong way to go – anyone off to a bad start can even drop these first two events. If you haven’t fished an event yet, you still can fish the rest and be in the AOY race. It’s not too late to sign up for a membership – contact Kyle Long for more information.

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

Heavy Hitters still is up for grabs. Not many 20s have been caught and nobody is running away with it yet. The Heavy Hitters total is best five for the season, so plenty of time to make a move. Long season to go!

NSKA

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

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Fishing Tips

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.

Fishing Tips

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

Fishing Tips

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.

Reviews

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 Tips

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!

NSKA

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