Kayak fishing has exploded in popularity, and with it comes a surge in catch-photo-release (CPR) tournaments. These events are a fantastic way to test your skills, enjoy the sport, and minimize the impact on fish populations. But how do you ensure your catches are measured and photographed correctly for a successful tournament entry?

The Ketch Measuring Board: A Kayak Angler’s Best Friend

The Ketch Measuring Board is a game-changer for kayak anglers. Designed specifically for on-water use, it’s precise, durable, and incredibly easy to use. It’s also universally accepted in catch, photo, release tournaments thanks to its reliability for accurate measurements. Here’s how to utilize it effectively:

1. Preparation is Key:
   • Have a plan to orient the Board: Be prepared with how you plan to hold the board and the fish in your kayak or on your lap. Some use a net to the side to help prevent a bass from jumping back into the water.
   • Wet the Board: A slightly damp board helps the fish slide easily, and cools it off on a hot day, preventing any unnecessary stress.
2. Measuring with Precision:
   • Align the Fish: Carefully place the fish on the measuring board, nose to the left and all the way to the board bump, with mouth closed.
   • Orient the body and board: Make sure the fish is laying flat, the tail is not off the board, and that the mouth, eye, tail and tournament identifier are all visible.
   • Take the Measurement: The length of the fish is where it’s tail meets the line measurements down the board. Ensure all is visible, take the photo and submit via your tournament app.
   • Double-Check: Always double-check your measurement to avoid any disqualifications. Watch for blurry photos, parts of the fish or board not visible, or other factors that may get your submission disqualified.
3. Additional photo tips:
   • Safe Handling: Hold the fish securely but gently. Avoid squeezing or compressing its body. (some of you who do know who you are!)
   • Background Matters: Choose a neutral background that doesn’t distract from the fish. Most measuring boards are good for contrast in photos.
   • Clear Identification: Ensure the measuring board is clearly visible in the photo, including the length measurement. The identifier is as important as the fish!
4. Release Responsibly:
   • Revive the Fish: Gently submerge the fish in the water and support it until it regains its strength.
   • Observe Recovery: Watch the fish swim away before moving on to your next cast.

SAVE on a Ketch Board with code 24nska10.

Tips for Tournament Success:

• Practice on the water: Get comfortable using your measuring board and practicing your photo-taking technique. Practice, practice, practice.
• Know the Rules: Familiarize yourself with all the tournament rules and regulations regarding catch submission. This is a part of the deal, learn and follow the rules!
• Safety First: Always prioritize your safety and the safety of the fish. Be efficient, kind, and get it back in the water asap!
• Respect the Environment: Leave no trace and minimize your impact on the fishing environment.

Beyond the Tournament:

Even if you’re not competing, accurate measurement and proper handling are crucial for responsible catch-and-release fishing. By following these guidelines, you can ensure the health and longevity of fish populations while enjoying the thrill of kayak fishing.

Remember: Catch-photo-release tournaments are a fantastic way to connect with fellow anglers, test your skills, and contribute to the conservation of our fisheries. By following these tips, you can ensure fair competition and enjoy the sport responsibly. Measuring and submitting the photo correctly are integral parts of the sport!

Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only. Always refer to the specific rules and regulations of the tournament you are participating in.

I hope this article helps you master catch, photo, and release for your next kayak fishing tournament!

As the leaves begin to change and temperatures drop, bass behavior shifts, making fall one of the best times to fish with spinnerbaits. Spinnerbaits are versatile and effective for covering water quickly, triggering reaction strikes, and targeting bass feeding up before the winter. This article explores why spinnerbaits shine in fall and how to optimize your fishing strategy to land more bass during this season.

Why Spinnerbaits Work in the Fall

In the fall, bass are often chasing shad and other baitfish as they prepare for winter. Spinnerbaits, with their flash and vibration, perfectly mimic these baitfish. The combination of blades and skirts creates an appealing profile that bass find hard to resist. Spinnerbaits also excel in various conditions, including windy days, stained water, and around structure like wood or grass.

Wind is your friend when fishing a spinnerbait in the fall. It breaks up the surface of the water, making it harder for bass to get a good look at the lure. This encourages reaction strikes. When fishing on a windy day, focus on points, shallow flats, and areas where the wind pushes baitfish into corners.

Choosing the Right Spinnerbait for Fall

1. Blade Type
   In fall, the choice of blade can make all the difference. For clearer water and faster retrieves, opt for willow blades. These blades provide a lot of flash and less drag, allowing the lure to mimic fast-moving baitfish. Colorado blades are better suited for murky water or slower retrieves due to their added vibration, making them ideal for fishing in low-visibility conditions. Look for some War Eagle or Booyah spinnerbaits at Lurenet.com!
2. Size and Color
   The size of your spinnerbait should match the forage in your lake. In the fall, bass are often chasing larger baitfish like shad. Opt for spinnerbaits in the 1/2 to 3/4-ounce range, and stick to natural colors like white, chartreuse, and shad patterns for most conditions. If you’re fishing in stained water, consider brighter colors like chartreuse and orange.
3. Trailer Options
   Adding a soft plastic trailer to your spinnerbait can enhance its action and profile. In cooler water, a trailer with minimal action, like a swimbait or a straight-tail trailer, is often more effective. These trailers help slow down the lure and give it a more realistic baitfish appearance.

Key Techniques for Fall Spinnerbait Success

1. Slow Rolling
   One of the most effective fall spinnerbait techniques is slow-rolling. This involves reeling in the spinnerbait just fast enough to keep the blades turning, allowing it to maintain contact with the bottom or structure like submerged timber and grass. This technique is ideal for cold, clear water and for targeting lethargic bass.
2. Burning the Spinnerbait
   In contrast to slow rolling, burning a spinnerbait means reeling it in as fast as possible. This can trigger aggressive reaction strikes from bass feeding up for winter. Burning is most effective on windy days or when fish are actively chasing baitfish.
3. Bumping into Cover
   To increase your chances of a strike, try bumping your spinnerbait into cover like rocks, stumps, or logs. This erratic movement mimics a fleeing baitfish and often triggers an instinctual strike from nearby bass. Be sure to use a spinnerbait with a strong wire to withstand these collisions.

Final Thoughts

Fall spinnerbait fishing is all about adapting to changing conditions. Whether you’re slow-rolling along a grass line or burning the bait across windy flats, spinnerbaits offer a versatile and effective way to target bass in the fall. Pay attention to blade selection, color, and retrieval speed to optimize your chances for success.

Get out on the water this fall and take advantage of the bass’s aggressive feeding behavior. With the right spinnerbait and technique, you’re sure to catch more fish!

As summer transitions into fall, bass fishing enters a prime season. The cooler temperatures and shorter days trigger significant changes in bass behavior, making early fall one of the best times to catch big bass. Knowing how to adjust your tactics and selecting the right early fall bass fishing baits will greatly increase your success.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the best fall bass fishing tips, focusing on understanding the seasonal behavior of bass and the top baits to use in September and October.

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Understanding Bass Behavior in Early Fall

Early fall is a transitional period for bass. As water temperatures drop, bass move from their deeper summer habitats to shallower areas, driven by the need to feed heavily before the winter months. Baitfish, such as shad, also move into shallower waters, giving bass a prime opportunity to gorge themselves.

Key Behavioral Changes in Early Fall:

• Increased activity: As the water cools, bass become more active, especially during early mornings and late evenings.
• Chasing baitfish: Bass begin to follow baitfish into shallow coves and points, making these areas hotspots for anglers.
• Feeding aggressively: Early fall bass tend to feed heavily, particularly under overcast conditions or when there’s wind, which disrupts the water’s surface and makes them feel more secure.

To capitalize on these conditions, choosing the right early fall bass fishing lures is crucial.

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Best Baits for Early Fall Bass Fishing

1. Crankbaits

Crankbaits are ideal for covering water and mimicking the movement of baitfish in early fall.

• Squarebill crankbaits: Perfect for shallow water and around cover, especially where bass are ambushing bait in creek channels or around submerged grass.
• Lipless crankbaits: Excellent for targeting schooling bass in open water or near weed edges. Their fast, erratic action triggers strikes from bass chasing shad.

2. Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits excel at imitating schools of baitfish, especially during early fall when bass are feeding aggressively.

• Willow leaf spinnerbaits are ideal for clear water, where the flash mimics shad.
• Colorado blade spinnerbaits produce strong vibrations, making them effective in murkier waters or during low-light conditions.

3. Topwater Lures

Topwater baits offer exciting action in early fall, especially during overcast mornings and evenings.

• Poppers: Great for calm conditions when bass are patrolling the shallows.
• Buzzbaits: Excellent for covering water quickly when fish are feeding near the surface.
• Walking baits: Ideal for imitating fleeing baitfish when bass are schooling.

4. Jigs

Jigs are versatile and effective year-round but particularly useful in early fall when bass are feeding in transition areas.

• Football jigs: Perfect for dragging along rocky points or deeper structure.
• Flipping jigs: Ideal for targeting shallow cover like docks, fallen trees, and brush piles.

5. Swimbaits

Soft plastic swimbaits are great for mimicking the profile and movement of shad, which bass are chasing during early fall.

• Paddle-tail swimbaits fished near the surface or along weed edges can be deadly, especially when bass are targeting baitfish schools.

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Key Locations for Early Fall Bass Fishing

Knowing where to fish is just as important as choosing the right lures. During early fall, focus on the following areas:

• Shallow coves and creek channels: Baitfish are abundant here, and bass follow. Use crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits to work these areas.
• Points and secondary points: Bass use these areas as transition zones. Jigs and crankbaits work particularly well here.
• Weed lines and submerged grass: Bass will hide in the grass to ambush baitfish. Lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits fished along the edges are highly effective.
• Riprap and rocky shorelines: These areas warm quickly and attract both baitfish and bass. Crankbaits and jigs are perfect for working these rocky zones.

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Final Tips for Early Fall Bass Fishing

1. Follow the bait: Bass in early fall are highly dependent on baitfish movements. Keep an eye on schools of shad to locate feeding bass.
2. Adapt to the weather: Overcast and windy days tend to encourage bass to feed more aggressively, making them easier to catch in open water. Sunny days might push bass into cover, requiring a more precise approach.
3. Stay versatile: Conditions can change quickly in early fall, so be ready to switch from topwater lures in the morning to crankbaits or jigs as the day progresses.

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Conclusion

Early fall offers one of the best opportunities for bass anglers to catch fish as bass feed heavily before winter. By understanding seasonal bass behavior and using the right baits—such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, jigs, and swimbaits—you can increase your chances of success. Whether you’re fishing shallow coves, working weed lines, or targeting rocky points, early fall bass fishing is all about staying adaptable and following the bait.

Try these tips on your next outing, and you’ll be sure to enjoy a successful fall fishing season!

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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Article: February Bass Fishing

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.

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)

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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?

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!