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NSKA

2023 Table Rock 1.0 NSKA NWA Tournament / Heavy Hitters -Recap

The first kayak fishing event of the year on Table Rock started with a bang with some big fish caught by some, and not many fish caught by several. In true NSKA NWA tradition, we had torrential rains just before the season opener, making anglers scramble to find good water or adjust to some blown-out, dirty situations.

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Big Bass on Table Rock by Josh Landreth – Source: TourneyX

This event was a good one for big fish, and had the most 20+ bass submitted for an opener (5) since 2020, which was at the very end of March. Josh Landreth took the Big Bass by tiebreaker with a 20.25 largemouth.

Overall, the field had a so-so day, with 182 fish caught by 52 anglers for a paltry Fish Per Angler (FPA) of 3.52, only slightly higher than last year’s opener on the Dead Sea which had a FPA of 2.99. Only 38% of the field turned in a limit and 75% boated at least one bass.

A Missourian took the top spot on the Missouri lake with Micah Funderburgh posting a strong 89.50″ on the day – good for a top 20 total in NSKA competition history. This is the third time Table Rock shows up on the top 20 tournament total list.

Kyle Long took second with 83.25″ and Josh King third with 83.00″ on the day. Great outings by these and the other top ten anglers.

The complete top 10:

  1. Micah Funderburgh 89.50
  2. Kyle Long 83.25
  3. Josh King 83
  4. Justin Arnold 82.50
  5. Billy Bowden 82.00
  6. Dwain Batey 81.75
  7. Josh Landreth 79.75
  8. Justin Brewer 77.75
  9. Tyler Zengerle 77.25
  10. Patrick Marbury 74.75

Angler Roundtable

The top finishers shared how they did it in the season opener. Let’s get around the table and learn from Micah Funderburgh, Kyle Long and Josh King!

In general, what part of the lake did you go to and why?

Micah – I chose to fish where the Kings met the White river so I could pick and choose water clarity since the Kings was muddy from the recent rains.

Kyle – I went to the Kings. I tried to talk myself out of it because I was scared of what it might look like after the rain but I knew I’d be mad at myself if I didn’t at least go look. It wasn’t clean by any means but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be.

Josh – I put in at Holiday Island and fished the river. I wasn’t sure where to go this early in the year so I picked a ramp that was close and had a spot where Kentuckies usually hang out. Figured I could get a small limit if they were there and then hoped to find a couple bonus bigs in the area.

What were your go-to baits for catching your limit?

Micah – I caught almost all my fish on a Vision 110+1 jerkbait. Once I had a decent limit I fished a glide bait from noon to 3:00 and caught one kicker.

Kyle – Spinnerbait was the go-to. Wasn’t planning on that. 3/4oz with big Colorado blades, reeling it slow.

Josh – I caught all my fish on a 5/16 oz walleye jig with a Keitech swimbait trailer. All my keepers came from one spot on the lake.

What happened on your largest bass of the day?

Micah – I was mostly fishing ledges and I found a particular 50ft section of ledge that setup perfectly and I ended up catching 8-10 fish on it including my biggest fish.

Kyle – I had just caught a small spot and a 15.5” spot a few minutes before and when I set the hook on my big one, it actually jumped which is weird in cold water. I didn’t know how big it was until I got it up in the net. Pleasant surprise.

Josh – I actually ended up losing my “biggest” while trying to get my Ketch board and camera ready, but landed another one a couple hours later. Both fish came on the first cast at new spots.

What’s something new you’ve added to your boat or to your equipment this season?

Micah – As far as new stuff I’ve added to my boat this year pretty much everything is new. I started kayak fishing last summer so I’ve been adding new stuff since then.

Kyle – That Newport Vessels NK180 was a game changer for me. Pair that with a ZPRO 24v 50Ah lithium…I covered so much water and got where I wanted to go way faster than normal.

Josh – I guess the only thing new was my bait. I had it tied on for Walleye fishing, but had caught bass on it in the past so I decided to try it and it paid off.

Heavy Hitters Standings

The Home Run Champ version of the NSKA kayak series is the Heavy Hitters crown. This year is off to a big start for some anglers who pulled in some tanks in event one. History shows, you need to get off to a good start if you expect to win…you can’t play catch-up on Beaver Lake in summer.

Here are the initial top 20 standings:

1Josh Landreth20.25
2Dwain Batey20.25
3Kyle Long20
4Billy Bowden20
5Christopher Moyher20
6Jake Simmons18.75
7Jacob Webber18.5
8Jeriamy Vann18.5
9Josh King18
10Jamie Shumate17.5
11Patrick Marbury17.25
12Justin Brewer17
13Craig Wood17
14Jason Coleman16.5
15Tyler Zengerle16.25
16Tony Sorluangsana16.25
17Jason Adams16.25
18Jason Fields16.25
19Jordan Rozenblum15.5
20Ryan Paskiewicz15

Angler of the Year

Angler of the year is a long race, but the anglers at the top are off to a great start. If you aren’t in this list, don’t worry, you can drop some events. But, those in this top group currently have the advantage!

1Kyle Long99
2Josh King98
3Billy Bowden96
4Dwain Batey95
5Josh Landreth94
6Justin Brewer93
7Tyler Zengerle92
8Patrick Marbury91
9Jacob Webber90
10Jason Coleman89
11Devon Esry88
12Levi Schneider87
13Jake Simmons86
14Jordan Rozenblum85
15Bobby Hogan84
16Tony Sorluangsana83
17Sam McClish82
18Christopher Moyher81
19Terrill Standifer80
20Jason Adams79

Next up is Beaver Lake, see ya’ll on the Dead Sea!

Check out these recent articles…

Spring Bank and Creek Fishing Kit from Lurenet – Review
Bending Branches Angler Pro Fishing Kayak Paddle Review
Reviews

Spring Bank and Creek Fishing Kit from Lurenet – Review

As the winter season slowly transitions into spring, anglers like me eagerly await the chance to get back to the water. Spring bank and creek fishing is a fun way to catch fish of all types, and the right tackle kit can make all the difference. Enter Lurenet’s March/April Bank and Creek fishing tackle kit, a specially curated set of fishing lures, presentations, and color patterns designed to meet the needs of both novice and experienced anglers.

The YUM Hellgrammite makes a great river fishing bait in spring.
The YUM Hellgrammite makes a great river fishing bait in spring.

I was able to get my hands on a kit early and took it out fishing in February to check out some of the baits. Each lure in this kit was selected by industry bank and creek fishing experts, and they did a great job. The Bank and Creek fishing tackle kit includes a range of multi-species fishing scenarios, so you’ll always have the right lure to throw on a given day. And, there are some limited-edition custom color patterns, created exclusively by some of the best lure painters in the business. One of these is the new Norman Speed N Junior in craw with orange belly – killer color that I can’t wait to use all spring.

The Lurenet Bank & Creek fishing kit for March/April
The Lurenet Bank & Creek fishing kit for March/April

Inside the March kit, you’ll find a wide range of lures, including a Smithwick Floating Rattlin’ Rogue in Sunbeam Brim color, a Norman Speed N Jr. in Orange Belly Craw (exclusive custom color), a brand new product and color – YUM Hellgrammite in Copper Creek, a YUM 5″ Dinger in Junebug Red Flake (Lurenet Exclusive custom color), a War Eagle 5/16 oz Gold Finesse Spinnerbait in Coleslaw, a YUM Scottsboro 3” Swimbait in Sight Minnow, a YUM Wacky Tool, and a Pro-X – 1/0 Wacky hook in a 7-pack.

But this tackle kit is more than just a set of fishing lures. It also includes informative BITE SPEC lure guides, which will help you make the most out of each lure and how to fish it. The really cool feature I love is a limited-edition print of a Frank Scalish how-to illustration, numbered 1-300 – this edition on how to rig the Hellgrammite.

A package like this is a perfect seasonal selection for the beginner, novice, or expert angler. There are only 300 kits are available for each season, and they tend to sell out quickly.

If you shop on Lurenet.com for this kit or other baits, save 15% with the discount code KINCY15

Check out these recent articles:

Kayak Motor Battery Review – Amped Outdoors 24v 50Ah
Lipless Crankbait Tips for Bass Fishing / Limited Edition Baits
Reviews

Kayak Motor Battery Review – Amped Outdoors 24v 50Ah

If you are like me and recently added a motor to your kayak, you’re going to need a kayak motor battery to power you on the water. For a lightweight, and competitively priced 24v battery, look no further than the 50Ah LiFePO4 battery from Amped Outdoors. I contacted a few companies to ask for recommendations for a new kayak motor battery setup, and Amped Outdoors recommended this one and provided it for me to try out and review. Am glad they did, it was the one I was planning on buying anyway!

Kayak motor battery - Amped Outdoors Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
Amped Outdoors 24v 50Ah Kayak Motor Battery

First off, let’s talk about the technology behind this battery. LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries offer several advantages over traditional lead-acid batteries. For one, they have a longer lifespan – up to ten times longer in some cases. They also have a higher energy density, meaning they can store more energy in a smaller package. And because they’re made with lithium iron phosphate, they’re much safer than lithium-ion batteries because they are more stable and don’t overheat.

Kayak motor battery weight

What really sets this kayak motor battery apart is its lightweight design. Compare to other 24v 50Ah lithium iron phosphate batteries like ZPro (27lbs) and and Dakota Lithium (31.9lbs). The 23-pound Amped Outdoors version saves on weight and is easier to handle. Extra weight is never a good thing in the kayak, and this lightweight lithium battery is perfect for a kayak setup. On my Hobie Pro Angler, it’s providing power to Newport NK 180 motor.

Amped Outdoors battery with charger.

This kayak motor battery comes equipped with a durable waterproof case and a battery management system. The battery is protected from the elements, important for outdoor applications such as powering kayaks, RVs, boats, trolling motors and off-grid solar systems. This Amped Outdoors battery also has a built-in BMS (Battery Management System) which monitors the battery and ensures safe charging and discharging, extending the life of the battery.

How it is going for me

Kayak motor battery in battery box on kayak.

I’ve been using this battery for several trips on the water now. The Amped Outdoors battery is a reliable and dependable source of power. When I hit the throttle, it’s is responsive and solid. After each trip, I quick connect it to the Amped Outdoors 10A Fast Lithium Charger and it’s ready to go for the next time. To protect my battery and connections from the elements I use a hard sided Arctic Zone cooler from Walmart which has a strap and has pockets to store tools or whatever else I need to have handy.

Kayak motor battery bottom line

In conclusion, if you’re in need of a durable and reliable kayak motor battery, I highly recommend the 24v 50ah LiFePO4 battery from Amped Outdoors. This battery’s advanced technology, lightweight design, durable waterproof case, and built-in features make it a top choice for any kayak angler.

Check out these recent articles:

BENDING BRANCHES ANGLER PRO FISHING KAYAK PADDLE REVIEW

LIPLESS CRANKBAIT TIPS FOR BASS FISHING / LIMITED EDITION BAITS

BANK AND CREEK FISHING TIPS AND TACKLE KITS

Reviews

Bending Branches Angler Pro Fishing Kayak Paddle Review

The Angler Pro kayak fishing paddle is a must-have for any kayak angler. This high-quality paddle from Bending Branches is designed specifically for longer fishing excursions, making it the perfect choice for anglers who want to stay out on the water for extended periods of time.

Bending Branches Angler Pro Fishing Kayak Paddle
Bending Branches Angler Pro Kayak Paddle shown in ‘Radiant’ – Kayakfishingfocus.com

One of the key features of the Angler Pro Snap Button is its durable construction. Made from top-quality materials, this paddle is built to withstand the rigors of extended use. It features a lightweight, yet strong, carbon fiber shaft and a durable, fiberglass-reinforced nylon blade that can handle even the toughest conditions.

In addition to its durability, the Angler Pro kayak fishing paddle also offers a number of other benefits that make it a top choice for anglers. For example, the paddle’s unique snap-button ferrule allows for easy, tool-free adjustments to the feathering angle, making it easy to customize your paddling experience. Additionally, the snap-button design allows you to easily break down the paddle for transport and storage, making it a great choice for anglers who travel frequently.

Bending Branches Angler Pro Fishing Kayak Paddle
The Bending Branches Angler Pro is a strong, lightweight kayak fishing paddle – Kayakfishingfocus.com

Another great feature of the Angler Pro Snap Button is its comfortable grip. The paddle features a ribbed, T-grip handle that is ergonomically designed to reduce hand fatigue, making it easy to hold onto the paddle for extended periods of time.

This paddle is the most advanced, comfortable, lightweight and durable kayak fishing paddle I’ve ever used. It does have a high price-point, but is well worth it and made in the USA.

The Bending Branches Angler Pro kayak paddle is available in three stunning colors – Radiant, Glowtek and Copperhead. These are beautifully designed kayak paddles that add style to any angler’s setup but also provides high visibility for safety on the water.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a high-quality, durable paddle for your next fishing trip, the Angler Pro Snap Button paddle from Bending Branches is an excellent choice. With its durable construction, customizable feathering angle, and comfortable grip, it is sure to meet the needs of even the most demanding anglers.

Lipless Crankbait Tips for Bass Fishing / Limited Edition Baits

Fishing Baits & Tips

Lipless Crankbait Tips for Bass Fishing / Limited Edition Baits

Fishing with a lipless crankbait can be an exciting and effective way to catch bass, all the way into pre-spawn. These lures, which do not have a bill or lip, mimic the appearance and movement of a wounded baitfish, making them irresistible to bass of all types. Looking for lipless crankbait tips?

Lipless Crankbait tips, bass with lure in mouth

One of the benefits of using a lipless crankbait is that it can be fished at various depths and retrieved at a variety of speeds. This versatility makes a lipless crankbait a good choice for bass fishing in different conditions and locations.

Two commonly available lipless crankbait types are those with rattles (hard knocker) and those with a one knocker. Rattles mimic the sound of baitfish on the move and can be better when the bass are feeding on shad or you are really trying to cover water with a steady retrieve. A hard knocker may be better when it’s colder, fishing deeper or ripping a lipless through grass.

Fishing Lipless Crankbait Tips

When casting, aim for areas with cover such as weeds, drops, or rocks, as bass are often attracted to these structures. Once the lure hits the water, there are a variety of retrieves – including just reeling it in, to a yo-yo retrieve or a lift-and-drop action. I’ve had most success with lift-and-drop, but this season hope to experiment more with the various lipless crankbait retrieves.

Overall, fishing with a lipless crankbait can be a fun and productive way to target bass. With some practice and time on the water, find the technique and retrieve that works best for you and the fish you are trying to catch. If it isn’t working change up the retrieve, the color, or the type of sound.

Party Craw One-Knockers and Hard-Knockers from Lurenet.com now available!

Limited-release Custom Color One Knocker & Hard Knocker Series from Booyah

Booyah is ringing in the new year with a limited-release set of one knocker & hard knocker lipless crankbaits. Only 300 of each these exclusive colors are available, in two sizes – 1/4oz and 1/2oz. Use the code, KINCY15 on Lurenet.com to save 15% on your purchase.

The custom colors look fantastic and give you something not available anywhere else:

  • Party Craw – Bold color for stained water.
  • Graffiti Craw – This one has an oil-slick finish with an orange belly. (can’t wait to throw this one!)
  • Bulletproof Gill – Lots of flash with a gold back.
  • Goldie – I hear this is good for tannic water like found in Florida, or stained water on a sunny day.
  • G Finish Red Craw – LOVE how this looks with the red paint with a finish that reflects sunlight. Very versatile.
  • G Finish Brown Craw – A great craw pattern for rocky banks, drops and bluff ends!
Limited edition Booyah One-Knocker and Hard-Knocker shown in G Finish Brown Craw and Goldie – from Lurenet.com

Get your custom color baits before they run out. Use the code, KINCY15 on Lurenet.com to save 15% on your purchase.

For a more in-depth article on lipless crankbaits, check out the Complete Guide to fishing Lipless Crankbaits for Bass on Lurenet.

Previous post: 2022 NWA NSKA Classic Championship Recap

Reviews

Bank and Creek Fishing Tips and Tackle Kits

Bank and creek fishing can be a productive way to catch fish, whether a new or experienced angler. Creeks are typically smaller bodies of water and are home to a variety of fish species, such as bass, panfish, and trout.

Certain baits and colors can work better in a small river or creek at different times of year. The new Bait School Bank and Creek fishing kits are released frequently as limited-edition packs of seasonal baits for small water fishing. These are a great way for beginners to know they have what they need to take on bank and creek fishing.

Bait School Bank and Creek baits

Once you have your baits, it’s time to find a good spot to fish. Look for areas where the water is a bit deeper and there is cover for the fish to hide, such as logs or rocks. You can also try fishing near a drop-off or a calmer deeper pool next to where the current is stronger. Creek fishing changes frequently, so try different tactics to find what works that day.

One of the great things about these exclusive fishing kits is they come with tips and insights on how to use each individual bait to catch fish. There are always exclusive baits included designed to appeal to fish in these smaller bodies of water based on the common forage.

Experiment with different baits to see what works best in your local creek and for the type of fish you are trying to catch. These bank and creek fishing tips are straight from the experts who make the lures – so you don’t have to guess how to use them.

Lurenet Bank and Creek Fishing Kit – January/February

The January/February Bank and Creek fishing kit is out and has a limited run of 300 available. A Lurenet Bank and Creek kit not only includes 10 creek specific lures, but also everything you need. This includes a how-to guide and custom rigging illustration.

This edition of the Bank and Creek fishing kit are several exclusive colors along with some reliable go-to baits:

  • Cotton Cordell Super Spot 1/4 oz – Sriracha Craw (Exclusive custom color)
  • Norman Deep Tiny N – Chrome Pumpkinseed (Exclusive custom color)   
  • Cotton Cordell Big O 76 – Stickle Back Shad (Exclusive custom color)
  • YUM 4″ Dinger – GB Haze (Exclusive custom color)   
  • Road Runner Original Marabou – Chartreuse
  • Booyah Baby Boo Jig 3/16 oz – 3D Green Pumpkin
  • YUM Ned Craw – Brown Orange and YUM 5″ Finesse Worm – Ghillie Suit
  • YUM Ned Head 1/8 oz and 1/12 oz 3pk – Black (Exclusive product)

Get your Bait School Bank and Creek fishing kit at Lurenet.com now and use discount code KINCY15 to save 15% off your purchase.

Video: 6 lb Largemouth Bass caught on topwater.

NSKA

2022 NWA NSKA Classic Recap

The end of season Classic Championship wrapped up a good year of fishing for the top 25 anglers in NSKA NWA. With one day on Table Rock and a second day on Beaver Lake, it was a good test of versatility for the competitors.

Classic Championship Results

Fishing was not the easiest for the Classic, as expected for September in our part of the country. Putting together good limits consistently is the key to top finishes in the Classic and this year was a great example. Overall, the field caught 275 fish over two days, with a 5.5 fish per angler, putting it middle of the pack for tournaments this season.

2022 NWA NSKA Classic Champ – Justin Brewer.

Justin Brewer finished the back half of the season on fire and continued the hot streak by taking the Classic Championship with a day one total of 79″ and a day two total of 73″ for a grand total of 152″ for the event. Kyle Long took second with 150.50″ (75.75/74.75) and James Shumate took third place with 148.75″ (73.25/75.50) for the weekend. John Evans took Big Bass with a 19.50″ Largemouth.

John Evans’ Big Bass from Beaver Lake in the 2022 NSKA NWA Classic Championship.

Angler Roundtable

Our top finishers for the Classic Championship shared how they made it happen in the end of season event. Thank you to Justin Brewer, Kyle Long and James Shumate for their recaps!

Where did you go on day one and day two and why?

Justin – I went to Eagle Rock on day one. No real reason just fishing history and I’ve done decent in the past there and I always just want to decent day one in two day tournaments. Day two I went to the Horseshoe Bend area. Again that’s the only area I’ve had any experience on so I felt most confident there.

Kyle – Day one I went to three places. Houseman, which I didn’t even make a cast before I left because it just didn’t feel right. Eagle Rock, where I also didn’t catch one fish. Then Beaver Town lastly. Why? Because when I was driving from Houseman to Eagle Rock at 6:55am, I drove across the Beaver bridge. I saw Kincy’s truck was the only one there. After not doing well at Eagle Rock and with all the boat traffic there, I figured at least there isn’t much pressure at Beaver Town. Might as well go there. Maybe there’s some fish that haven’t been thrown at all morning. Plus I could access that cooler water from the backside if need be. Day two, I went to Blackburn. No specific reason. Just thought it might be less crowded than the launches on the west side of the lake.

James – Day one I went to Eagle Rock because I know the area. I threw a buzzbait , Whopper Plopper and shakey headed. I had all but given up I was setting in 22nd with 3 fish at 2:53 I caught my 4th and at 2:57 I caught my 5th and jumped to 9th. Day 2 I went to Horseshoe Bend first fish was a 19 inch thought it was going to be a good day but it wasn’t didn’t get my limit till around 1:40.

Both days seemed pretty even in limit sizes, which day was tougher for you and how did you overcome it?

Justin – Day two was definitely my tougher day and it showed. Luckily I had a good day one so there was some wiggle room. I figured it would be tougher for everyone so lower 70’s would put me in a good spot so I just fished hard until I got there.

Kyle – Day one for sure. I was on the verge of spinning out. I just had to keep my head down and keep making casts. Trying the whole time to not keep doing exactly the same thing. Looking for a little nuance here or there that might make the difference. Luckily I found one.

James – Both days where equally tough I only caught 11 fish all weekend but the wind Sunday was the worst.

What were a few of the key baits or techniques that worked for you?

Justin – Day one was a Booyah XCS Squarebill at a creek channel intersection where the bass were schooling on shad in the morning and then a Carolina rig with the Yum Spine Craw around trees on the channel drop in the afternoon. Day two was a War Eagle buzzbait and Heddon Spook all day. The bite quit at 9:30 but I stuck with it anyways.

Kyle – Spinnerbait and Shaky head. Almost exclusively both days. I did catch a couple on a buzzbait day 2.

James – Threw a Sexy Dog, shakey head and a KGB Chad Shad – it saved me caught my last 2 on it.

What was your most important bait for the duration of this season that made it successful for you?

Justin – I really can’t pinpoint one single bait because each tournament some other bait played the main roll but if I have to pick one, I won the most money on the Booyah XCS Squarebill which play big roles in both my third place finish at Broken Bow with Hobie BOS and then helping with the Classic with my biggest limit on Day 1. It also caught me a few fish here and there in other tournaments.

Kyle – I’d say all season long the MVP had to be the Accent River Special 1/2 ounce spinnerbait. The Slow Town Custom Lures custom 1/4 ounce shaky head and the Skirmish baits Pendragon 110 we’re also crucial.

James – I think throwing a shakey head this season helped me the most this season.

Season Awards

It was a solid season for NSKA NWA with some big bags and a lot of fish caught. The season awards were presented at the season-ending Classic banquet. Please take time to congratulate the recipients!

Final AOY Top 25

Individual Winners

2022 NSKA NWA Angler of the Year – Kyle Long.
2022 Heavy Hitters Champ – Ryan Paskiewicz
2022 NSKA NWA Rookie of the Year – Jordan Rozunblum
2022 NSKA NWA Ben Spangler Sportsman of the Year – Terrill Standifer

NSKA, Tournaments

NSKA NWA Shootout Recap / Classic Championship Preview

The field is set for the third annual NWA NSKA end of season Classic Championship. As is tradition, the top 25 anglers for the regular season in AOY points qualify for the end of season clash for the crown – but this year a new wrinkle is in play as we held a last-chance shootout to take a 26th spot.

Eleven NSKA anglers took to a section of Table Rock to see who could out-duel the others to earn a spot. It was a pretty, but tough day with blue-bird skies and light winds which made fishing a bit tough. Eight of the eleven turned in a limit, with a FPA of 5.18 which was pretty average for an August summer day.

Levi eventually culled this giant. Honestly maybe the smallest submitted bass I’ve seen in NSKA. (Pic NSFW – lol!)

Levi Schneider took the win and will fish with the Classic field this September. He had 78.50″ on the day, cruising to secure his spot. Tony Sorluangsana came in second with 72.50″ and Kevin Tadda came in third with 71.00″ on the day.

There was no Big Bass prize, but Anthony Bertschy had the biggest bass with a 18.00″ good-looking Largemouth.

Angler Roundtable

We spoke to Levi about his win and he shared how it happened:

What were your thoughts on what it would take to win?

Going into the Shootout I never really thought about what it would take to win I just had the idea that I wanted to put a good limit to where someone would have the really catch ’em to pass me because other than during the fall I know Table Rock well enough to find and catch fish (When it’s not continuously blowing 30-40mph!)

Any key baits that worked for you?

My go-to baits we’re a spook a Berkley Choppo and a football jig.

Talk about your key fish catch, what happened?

I really had two key fish catches cause I had that dinky 4.25” and I believe a 12” to cull – and within 30 minutes I caught a 16.50″ and a 17.50″ to cull those with the jig and was lucky enough to land both because they both wrapped me around all the submerged timber I was fishing.

Back to Beaver Lake…now that you’ve made it in what are your thoughts on the upcoming Classic?

Everyone knows my distaste for Beaver Lake and my main focus going into the Classic now is to just forgot about what’s happened to me there in the past. Just take it head-on as a brand new lake I’ve never fished before and try to break it down as I see it happening.

Classic Championship Preview

Going back to the history books for the NWA NSKA Classic Championship we can see what it has required to take the title. When you get 26 of the top anglers in the club on the water to battle it out, competition gets serious.

It will take a minimum of 150″ over two days to be in the hunt, and based on the last two years I think you target is 158″ to win.

Big Bass is pretty consistent in the 20-21″ range and I think we’ll see that again this year, but no bigger.

This year the field will be on Beaver Lake and on Table Rock – but nobody knows exactly where quite yet. The lakes are divided into zones and the zone locations will be drawn the Thursday night prior to the tournament – after pre-fishing ends. Should make it interesting for those who like to scout things out and gives an advantage to those who just show up and fish.

Because Table Rock is in play, those totals should beat out Beaver Lake. Key to the win will be who can get a good total on Beaver and hold on at the Rock. Every year the Classic has been held there has been a weak day and a strong day and I expect Beaver to be the weak day this time around. Be in the top few on that day and you have legitimate shot.

2023 NSKA NWA Classic Field

Levi is IN and he’ll join the regular season Top 25 AOY on the water. Don’t forget, the AOY race is not over…the Classic counts double, so there’s more to be wrapped up to find out who was the most consistent angler this season. Good luck, tight lines and be safe to all of the competitors. Congratulations on making it!

NSKA

2022 NSKA Beaver Lake RR Recap / AOY Top 25 / Heavy Hitters Winner / Rookie of the Year

Mother Nature took it easy on us for this year’s Crucible, our August event on Beaver Lake. Instead of close to 100 degrees, we only hit 89 during tournament hours – making what was a grind for many on Beaver a bit more bearable. Although the weather wasn’t that hot, there were some anglers at the top who were on fire on this Saturday.

The Dead Sea is threatening to lose its nickname the way it has been putting out bags this last year or two. Going into the event history would have said 82 inches would give you a good chance to win. Not on this day, no.

Tournament Results

There were 40 anglers in the Crucible, with only 24 (60%) turning in a limit and 90% turning in at least one fish. With 211 fish caught, it produced a respectable but not spectacular 5.28 Fish Per Angler on the day. But boy, were there some bigguns caught for Beaver Lake standards.

Justin Brewer dropped the hammer for the second tourney in a row, this time catching two 20+ bass, an uncommon feat (more on that later) for a total of 89.25″ for the win. Jordan Rozenblum also caught a 20+ in his 88.75″ total on the day for second place. Kyle Long won Big Bass with a 21.75″ giant which helped him take third place with 84.25″ on the day.

Kyle Long won Big Bass up in the clear water of north Beaver Lake.

In fact, there were FIVE 20s caught on Beaver in August. What a shocking development! Justin’s two 20’s in one event is an unusual feat; here are the only anglers who have done that since 2017:

  • Rob Barnica (2017)
  • Cole Sikes (2017, 2018)
  • Rance Richardson (2018) Four in one day!
  • Jon Wofford (2020)
  • Jason Kincy (2021)
  • Justin Brewer (2022)

When it comes to Big Bass winners, Kyle Long’s trophy for this event was his FIFTH Big Bass win for NSKA NWA. He has the most Big Bass trophies since 2017, and here are the only winners of multiple Big Bass awards during that time. Way to go Kyle!

  • Kyle Long 5
  • Cole Sikes 3
  • Dwain Batey 3
  • John Wofford 3
  • Chris Needham 3
  • Justin Brewer 2
  • Justin Phillips 2
  • Jason Kincy 2
  • Ryan Paskiewicz 2
  • Sam McClish 2

Heavy Hitters Champion

A 21.50 Ryan Paskiewicz bass from Table Rock Lake.

Speaking of giant bass, we have a Champion for 2022! Ryan Paskiewicz, as predicted early on, held off the competition to take the title for this season. Kyle made a run with his big catch at the Crucible, but Ryan’s early season work was too much to overcome. Congratulations Ryan! Here are your Top Ten Heavy Hitters for 2022:

Top 25 AOY After Regular Season

The Angler of the Year race is tight down the stretch and will be decided by the Classic, just the way it should be. Looks like it is between Dwain Batey and Kyle Long, and if they both stumble Justin Brewer could steal it with a big Classic finish. The rest of the top 10 is tight, so we’ll see who finishes 4 thru 10 in what order. My goal is to beat Ryan and Roy!

Our Rookie of the Year is Jordan Rozenblum, who finished strong with two top 10 events, including in the money in the season finale. Congratulations Jordan!

The rest of the Top 25 makes up the Classic field for 2022. The Classic is a great two-day event – congratulations to all who made it in. For those who fell short, you have one more chance in the Shootout to earn a spot. Sign up today to win a spot to fish the championship.

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Angler Roundtable

The top finishers from the Beaver Lake Road Runner shared their stories and how they got it done on the not-so-Dead Sea. Let’s hear it from Justin, Jordan and Kyle.

Where did you go and why?

Justin – I went out to the War Eagle arm. Based off the last two years I was able to get 1st and 2nd out of this area for this same tournament with only 76 and 78 inches so I assumed it would be the same in this one as well. I just came across some better a quality fish this year.

Jordan – I chose to go up the river because I had found a larger number of quality fish in pre-fishing there.

Kyle – I went to Indian Creek. I really like fishing that area but it can be super tough also. I’ve noticed that historically for myself, especially in the hot summer, I don’t fish well in a large section of mid lake so I like way north or way south. This time I chose clear water.

What were your key baits to catch the keepers?

Justin – I caught all my fish on a Booyah Boss Pop just fishing any and all cover I could find.

Jordan – The only two baits I caught anything on were a buzz bait and a jackhammer. All of the quality fish I caught came in three feet or less of water.

Kyle – Two different plopper style baits and a shaky head with a 7” roboworm. That was it for me.

What’s the key to fishing success in the heat of the summer?

Justin – It all depends on your strengths. I’m not an offshore guy so I like shallow water. But in the summer I try to find areas with the most shallow cover and shade. Fish live shallow too and you just have to cover water and keep your bait around those areas as much as possible. And you can find more shade for yourself shallow to help keep yourself cool.

Jordan – The key to summer time fishing for me is to get on them early and drink lots of water.

Kyle – Tough question. A few things come to mind… Try and make as many casts in high percentage areas as you can. That might be hitting as many points as possible in a certain depth, that might be shade hunting all day, might be hitting all the transitions you can, etc. Also keeping an open mind helps. Don’t be afraid to scrap a plan. I did that yesterday when the fish were telling me they didn’t want what I was offering. Maybe most important though is keeping a good mental state of mind. It’s gonna be tough. Work harder than everyone else. Embrace the grind.

When you get hungry during the day, what’s your go-to tournament snack?

Justin – I’m a superstitious guy and I base what I have on my boat for snacks on previous tournaments. So for last months I had brought two ham and cheese sandwiches and a PB&J. So that’s what a packed for this one as well seems like there could be something to it!

Jordan – Rice crispy treats. They are quick and good carbs while fishing.

Kyle – Tough to go wrong with jerky. Maybe a trail mix or a Cliff Bar or a pack of cheese and crackers but jerky is the winner for me.