2022 marks the third consecutive year in which the three major national trails will hold a full tournament schedule. Attendance has increased at all levels of kayak fishing, from individual recreational anglers to local clubs, too. At the national level, the three big trails offer unprecedented tournament opportunities. As kayak news site Basstrail.com noted, “Last year saw continued growth in the sport with some trails across the country having record turnouts as well as higher payouts.”
B.A.S.S. is a storied organization in the history of competitive bass fishing and the standard by which others are measured. When it announced a Bassmaster Kayak Series in 2019, the kayak angling world paid attention. Soon, local B.A.S.S. Nation chapters began to appear and anglers participated with one goal in mind: to the fish the Bassmaster Kayak Championship which is included in the Bassmaster Classic’s schedule of events.
In 2022, B.A.S.S. will hold its Classic in Anderson, S.C., and the kayak championship will take place on March 2-3 at Russell Lake. The 2022 event field includes 92 qualified anglers, among whom are counted some top names in kayak fishing. 2021 KBF National Champion Guillermo Gonzalez is one, as is 2020 Hobie B.O.S. Angler of the Year Drew Gregory. Other top names include defending 2021 Bassmaster Kayak Classic Champion Mark Pendergraf, Old Town Pro Casey Reed and Jackson Kayak Pro Adam Petrone.
One name outshines them all, however: New Jersey’s Michael “Ike” Iaconelli. A committed kayak angler, Ike won the B.A.S.S. Open on the Potomac River in 2021 and he will be looking to add the kayak championship trophy to his legendary collection of Bassmaster Classic hardware.
Another chapter of kayak fishing history will be written in Anderson, S.C. this March. Be sure to follow Chad Hoover as he visits the Classic after the Realtree Fishing KBF TRAIL and Pro Series events at Lake Murray, and posts news from the Expo, updates from KBF sponsor booths, and more!
Realtree Fishing KBF TRAIL Series Tournaments are presented by Dee Zee Truck Accessories
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