On April 15, 2023 182 Kayak Anglers from California, Oregon, and Utah competed in the No Limit Big Bass Tournament by Native Water Craft. This unique tournament paid $1000 an hour for big fish (length in inches), and every fish caught over the minimum length of 14 inches counted towards your overall total. They paid down to 15 spots for the overall total inches for total fish caught.
Leading up to the tournament I was able to practice on the water for 5 days over a 3 week span. Throughout practice I caught fish on various baits, dropshot, darthead, and Senkos. Everyday of practice I threw various reaction baits but did not catch a single fish while throwing them. All fish caught in practice were on plastics. I did not catch a fish deeper than 15’ of water in practice. About two weeks prior to the tournament, water temperature was 55-58 degrees. Most of the fish I was catching were on points or half way back in creek arms, with a few random fish scattered in pockets. The fish I found in the back of the creeks were all undersized fish.
One week prior to the tournament the fish I found were relating to wood in coves that had water coming in. The fish in these areas were definitely quality fish. I would catch one then leave the area alone. I was planning on saving them for tournament day. These fish were eating the Senko really good. I would was throwing a 6 inch Texas rigged, Senko in green pumpkin. The reason I Texas rigged it was to prevent it from hanging up in the wood and possibly spooking the fish. The Friday before the tournament water temperatures were 60 degrees. I double checked a few areas to make sure the fish were still there, did not hook any of them. I even found two bed fish that were locked on as well.
Tournament day all 182 kayak anglers launched out of Glory Hole launch ramp. 182 kayak anglers is the largest in California history. Prior to blast off they had a tribute to Tony Moore. Tony was a well known kayak angler and recently past away days leading up to the tournament. We blasted off at 5:30am and lines in was at 6:00am. I headed down south to my first spot. I traveled about 4 miles south to my first spot. Powered by my Newport Vessel NK-180 trolling motor and peddling I arrived there around 6:15am.
Caught my first fish at 6:25, a 16.75inch largie that ate a 6 inch Senko. After fishing the first cove for an hour with only one fish I moved. I went a few coves down the bank. This cove that had all the right structure but I was unable to fish it during practice because there was always a boat fishing that spot. That cove has a small channel in the middle, trees along that channel with drift wood and water coming in the back. This cove produced 3 keeper fish. These fish were caught on a 6 inch and 4 inch Senko. Last fish was caught at 8:00. After the bite shut down I left that area and headed to Bear Cove. Were I caught one on a 4 inch Senko and one on a bed using a Pro Point Lure Junior Bug. On my way to my last spot pick up a fish on a 6 inch Senko around some wood in 2 feet of water in the back of a cove. Finally arriving to my last spot around 12:00 I caught 7 more keepers.
I was switching to different size Senkos depending on how the fish were acting. My Garmin LiveScope played a key role in my decision making. Just observing the fish and how they followed the bait made me change to give them something different to look at. Each spot I would make long casts as I slowly made my way to the back where the water was coming in. In the back of most of the coves, there was some floating debris and I pitched the 5 inch Senko in small holes. Pitching the Senko in the debris produced a couple keepers. With 15 minutes left I started to leave the last cove that produced 7 keepers. As I was leaving the cove something came over me, Sounds crazy. It was like our late friend Tony Moore was reaching out telling me something. I have always offered to lend a hand to Tony at the beginning and end of tournaments. Maybe this was him lending me a hand. I turned around and went back to the cove I just fished for the last hour and 45 minutes. On the second cast with a 4 inch Senko I hooked a big one. With a 6 lb. Fluorocarbon leader and wood near by I had all sort of bad thoughts of possibly losing this fish going through my head. I was fortunate to hook the big fish and she came straight at me and into the net.
She measured 22 inches and was big enough to capture big fish for the last hour of the tournament. Thanks Tony.
I have caught 15 keeper bass for the tournament with a total of 234.5 inches good enough for 2nd place and $1650. I also had big fish for the last hour good for $1000 plus $500 in BOGS merchandise who sponsored the last hour of the tournament. All in all it was a fantastic tournament that was well organized, had a historical turn out and was a lot of fun. If anyone is interested in kayak fishing or tournaments look up one of the many groups and circuits on Facebook: Yak-A-Bass, No Limit Big Bass Tournaments, Central Valley Kayak Anglers, Fresh N Salty Kayak Fishing, and Wild West Kayak.
I would also like to thank all my sponsors that help make all this happen: RBBass Outdoors, Pro Point Fishing Lures, Dobyns Rods, The Rod Glove, Tacklworkz, Hookd Bait Shop, and Frenzy Baits.
