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How to Get Started Tournament Kayak Fishing

How to Get Started Tournament Kayak Fishing

Kayak fishing is growing in popularity, with anglers embracing the freedom and challenge of fishing from a one-person, transportable vessel. And, for those who want to take their passion to the next level, tournament kayak fishing offers an exciting and competitive way to test your skills, meet like-minded anglers, and potentially win big. Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman or someone just starting, kayak fishing tournaments are accessible and rewarding.

To shed light on how you can get involved in tournament kayak fishing, I spoke with three experienced kayak anglers: Casey Reed from Virginia, Wendy Biles from Florida, and Duc Tran from Texas. These three are veterans in the competitive kayak fishing community, competing in local, regional, and national events. Here’s what they had to say about the sport, the tournaments, and tips for beginners looking to get started.

What to Expect in a Kayak Fishing Tournament

If you’ve never competed in a kayak fishing tournament, it’s natural to wonder what the experience will be like. According to Casey, Wendy, and Duc, the kayak fishing community is welcoming and supportive, especially for newcomers.

Duc, a longtime director of the North Texas Kayak Club and Texas Bass Nation, mentions that kayak anglers are often more willing to share tips and techniques compared to boat anglers. “The kayak community is really about helping each other, even when you’re competing. It’s about teaching, learning, and improving together,” he says.

Wendy, a tournament angler based in Florida, adds that the friendships and camaraderie built through these events are just as rewarding as the competition. “Winning is a goal, but the friendships and fellowship are the best part of tournament fishing,” she says.

How Do Kayak Tournaments Work?

Kayak tournaments are typically different from traditional boat tournaments. Most kayak tournaments follow a Catch-Photo-Release (CPR) format. Rather than weighing fish, competitors measure them and submit photos for scoring. The process is simple: catch a fish, take a photo of it on a measuring board, and submit it through a tournament app.

The key here is the length of the fish, not the weight. “You don’t have a live well in a kayak, so the fish are released right back into the water, which is better for the fish and conservation,” explains Casey. This setup is not only more sustainable but also less stressful on the fish compared to traditional boat tournaments where fish are often held in live wells for long periods.

In kayak tournaments, you typically catch up to five fish for the day, and your best five count toward your total length for the competition. What makes it even more exciting is that if you catch a bigger fish after you’ve already logged five, the app will automatically replace the smallest fish with the new bigger one, ensuring you have the best possible score.

Prizes and Rewards

Many anglers are drawn to tournaments by the potential for cash prizes. Local tournaments may offer modest winnings of $200–$500, but at the regional or national level, the stakes are much higher. Casey shares that top finishes in national tournaments can reward anglers with prizes ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.

But it’s not all about the cash—there’s also a wealth of additional rewards, from high-quality rods and reels to fishing gear. “It’s amazing to see the growth of kayak fishing over the years, especially with more sponsors and prizes available. Some events even have random prize drawings for anglers who didn’t win, which makes for some really fun moments,” Duc says.

Gear You Need to Get Started

While some anglers invest heavily in high-end gear, you don’t need a top-of-the-line setup to get started. “At a minimum, you need a good fishing kayak, a measuring board, a PFD (personal flotation device), and a phone with a camera,” explains Casey. A simple, reliable kayak with a paddle or foot pedals is sufficient to start. You can always add extras, like electronics, as you become more experienced.

Wendy points out that, “You don’t need to have the best gadgets right away. You can still perform well with basic gear—many anglers in my local club don’t even use fish finders and still place in the top spots.”

For those looking to fish safely in low-light conditions, Casey recommends adding a 360-degree light or a navigational light.

Finding Local, Regional, and National Tournaments

If you’re wondering where to find kayak fishing tournaments, the good news is they are everywhere! Start by joining your local bass clubs, which can be easily found by doing a quick online search. These clubs often organize regular events, which are great opportunities to get your feet wet in the competitive scene.

You can also use apps like Fishing Chaos or TournyX to locate tournaments near you. These apps list both local and national events, and you can filter based on the type of fishing you’re interested in (bass, redfish, striped bass, etc.).

If you’re unsure whether tournament kayak fishing is for you, starting with smaller, local events is a great way to see if it fits your style. You can always build your way up to bigger, national competitions as you improve your skills.

How Tournament Fishing Makes You a Better Angler

One of the most significant benefits of participating in tournaments is the improvement you’ll see in your fishing skills. For Casey, it’s all about time on the water. “The more you fish, the better you get. You learn new techniques for different types of water, and you get to see how different fisheries react at different times of the year.”

Wendy echoes this sentiment, adding that the kayak fishing community is very open about sharing information and techniques. “People love to talk about what worked for them. The sharing of knowledge is incredible,” she says.

For Duc, traveling to new locations and learning how to fish different bodies of water has been invaluable. “You learn so much about bass behavior and how to read water when you travel. It’s great to see how tournament anglers break down new waters and adapt quickly,” he says.

Memorable Moments

Every tournament brings unique memories. For Wendy, one of her most memorable experiences came during a challenging event when she caught her big bass in the final minutes of the tournament, securing a win and “the big bass” award. She encourages others to never give up: “You never know what might happen in those last few minutes.”

For Casey, winning Angler of the Year during his first club season was a milestone that motivated him to keep fishing and competing. And for Duc, his first experience at the KBF National Championship was unforgettable. “The sheer number of anglers and the camaraderie there really opened my eyes to the potential of this sport,” he says.

Try Tournament Kayak Fishing!

Tournament kayak fishing is a fun, challenging, and rewarding way to take your fishing skills to the next level. With a welcoming community, a simple setup to get started, and the potential for significant prizes, there’s never been a better time to give it a try. Whether you start local and work your way up, or dive into a national competition, the world of tournament kayak fishing is full of opportunities to grow, meet great people, and maybe even walk away with a cash prize!

So, are you ready to give tournament kayak fishing a shot? Find a local club, get your gear together, and we’ll see you out on the water!

Source: https://onthewater.com/how-to-get-started-tournament-kayak-fishing

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