2022 Kayak Fishing Tournament Season Preview
While northern lakes and ponds are still locked up in a thick layer of ice, the nation’s top kayak bass fishing tournaments are starting to heat up across the southern United States. Keep reading for a preview of the year’s major national tournament trails and events. But first, we raise one for the tournament anglers…
KAYAK BASS FISHING
The first action of the year kicked off this weekend with KBF hosting a series of concurrent events in Florida’s Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Anglers from all corners of the country converged in central Florida to compete in the first events of the KBF Trail Series, the first KBF Pro Series event, and the 2022 KBF TENvitational.
The TENvitational is an invite-only competition among qualified anglers from select 2021 events. The winner of the TENvitational earns a spot in The TEN, which kicks off on February 1st.
KBF The TEN is a two-day, invite-only competition featuring the top anglers in KBF as determined by KBF Angler of the Year points from the previous year. We’re very excited to support Old Town Pro Team members Brandon Bissell and Jimmy McClurkan as they compete for top honors at The TEN. You can follow along on Old Town’s Instagram, and keep an eye on the live standings here.
BASSMASTER KAYAK SERIES
Year three of the Bassmaster Kayak Series will feature six events on iconic fisheries in six different states, starting with the legendary Lake Fork in Alba, Texas on February 5th and 6th. Following the first event, attention will shift to the Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship on Richard B. Russell Lake in Anderson, SC, in conjunction with the Bassmaster Classic. Last year at the inaugural Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship on Possum Kingdom Lake, Old Town Pro Team member Mark Pendergraf won with a record-setting two-day, 10-bass total of 209.25 inches. You can watch a recap of that win here.
New this year, the 2022 Kayak Series will include an Old Town Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year award. With $5,000 cash and a top-of-the-line Old Town Sportsman kayak going to the angler who accumulates the most points during the regular season, anglers will be laser-focused on consistent results throughout the 2022 trail.
HOBIE BASS OPEN SERIES
The Hobie Bass Open Series (BOS) continues in 2022 with nine open-format events (anyone can enter and compete) around the country, culminating with the invite-only Tournament of Champions. Unlike KBF and Bassmaster, Hobie does not allow motorized kayaks at BOS or TOC events. The 2021 series saw Kristine Fischer take top honors at the Tournament of Champions on Lake Eufaula, and Jordan Marshall secure the Angler of the Year title.
With a full schedule of tournament action lined up this year, we couldn’t be more excited to watch and support the Old Town team as they compete at the highest level.