Tournaments are more and more becoming the lifeblood of our sport, bringing together anglers all for a common goal of catching the biggest fish and claiming the top prize. All around the country new events are popping up left and right and there are a handful of older events that have become a tradition.
We’ve gathered a handful of events that you should be fishing this year for every region in the country, starting with the Midwest. Kayak fishing in the Midwest is blowing up and the time to get in on the action is now. Don’t forget to sign up early so you have plenty of time to start training!
Regardless of the series you choose or multiple series you participate in, you can count on meeting some of the best and most approachable anglers in the country! Sportsmanship, conservation, and family values can be found in every one of these series, as well as great companies providing a wealth of prizes for all the events.
Additionally, if you are wanting to be invited to one of the two recognized National Championships most of these events will be qualifiers for Both the Tournament of Champions at Lake Fork and the KBF National Championship at Kentucky Lake.
1) Great Plains Kayak Fishing Series
May 6-7th (Kickoff Event)
The Great Plains Kayak Fishing Series is one of the newest series in the Midwest, offering anglers several opportunities to fish a variety of formats including a kid/pro event and a vet/pro event. With the goal of the series to throw it back to the roots of kayak angling with fellowship and fun, all while competing for thousands of dollars in kayaks and other prizes from the Boat Dock, Jackson Kayak, Emotion Kayak, Yak Gear, Bass Pro Shops, Bending Branches Paddles, Orion Coolers,
The series kicks off May 6-7th with a format uniquely coined the Roadrunner challenging anglers to a 24 hour window to catch their limit of multi species of fish in a radius of public waters. The masterminds behind this series are the members of the Team Boat Dock Pro Staff comprised of accomplished kayak anglers who have their other lives as teachers, firefighters, police officers, and even a pilates instructor.
Click here to sign up for the event now!
2) Midwest Kayak Fishing Series
April-July
The MKFS is in its 3rd year and growing into one of the most popular online and live event blended format tournaments in the country. Each month, starting in April, anglers will have an entire month to register their best fish. The series wraps up in the heat of July at Lake Wanahoo Nebraska, the Midwest’s 600 acre paddler’s paradise which is entirely a no wake zone.
As in past years, this series benefits Heroes On The Water’s Heartland Chapter, aimed at raising thousands of dollars to help support one of the most recognized veterans fishing organizations in the world! This series also has a youth division which allows young anglers to compete for a prize packs from all the generous sponsors. The grand champion this year will win a Hobie Pro Angler from Select Sail and Sports, as well as a paddle from both Werner Paddle Company and Backwater Paddle Company. As in other years there will be lots of other prizes that anglers have the chance of winning.
Click here to sign up for the event now!
3) Mo-Kan Fishing Series
May (Kickoff Event)
This year is the inaugural season for the Mo-Kan Fishing Series, a kayak bass fishing tournament. With a total of three events starting in May in Kansas and Missouri, the Mo-Kan series will travel to bass fishing hot spots such as Banner Creek and Bone Creek in Kansas and Mozingo in Missouri. This competitive series is spearheaded by Jason Griffith, who is bringing his tournament knowledge from years of fishing the highly competitive region of Austin, Texas. Event sponsors include Jackson Kayak, Bending Branches Paddle Company, NRS, Mondo Tackle, Yak Attack, Super Nova Fishing Lights, Smith Optics and Phenix Rods.
Click here to sign up for the event now!
4) Kayakapalooza VII
August 9th (Live Event)
In its 7th year Kayakapalooza may be the Midwest’s longest running kayak fishing circuit, based out of Nebraska and directed by one of the founders of kayak fishing, Marty Hughes. This series has a little bit of everything. Based on a season-long online tournament and a live multi species event, anglers have the option of fishing the entire season for the win. Culling along the way to bring some impressive stringers.
In addition to the season-long online tournament, they have partnered with the Great Plains Kayak Fishing Series for an end of the year wrap up event in August. One of the treats of this series is the bonus points, for rare species and other species not listed as one of the multi species to count as the majority of points.
Event sponsors include Kayakjack Outfitters, Yak Gear, Emotion Kayak, and Bending Branches Paddles, Back Water Paddle Company and Angry Sturgeon Lures providing hand crafted wooden lures as a unique trophy to the winners.
Click here to sign up for the event now!
5) Northeast Kansas Kayak Angler Series
April 2nd
NortheastKansasKayakAnglers.com
Seven events highlight the 3rd year of the NKKAS for this series which crosses boarders from Kansas to Missouri. Focusing on quality kayak fishing, competition and sportsmanship this series will attract anglers from several states due to the proximity of the lakes. An early season starts April 2nd, at Montrose Lake and Wraps up in July at Bone Creek. There is also a plan for a Heroes on The Water Benefit tournament in May to support the Kansas Chapter.
Another well supported tournament trail, the series is sponsored by Werner Paddles, Manley Rods, Mondo Tackle, Hoo-Rag, YakAttack, Jakked Baits, Jims Sail and Kayak, and Back Water Paddle Company.
Click here to sign up for the event now!
This article is Part 1 of a series detailing the coolest kayak fishing tournaments that every angler should fish this year, grouped by region. Stay tuned for the second region next week!
