2026 Season
KBF Challenge Series
STATE, REGIONAL and NATIONAL Overview
The OFFICIAL KBF ID CARD is the ONLY acceptable card and is MANDATORY.
Ketch KBF STATE CHALLENGE Series | 2026
The KBF STATE Challenge Series provides KBF Members opportunities to compete in places and times most convenient to them while competing with other anglers within their state. These online events are Catch-Photo-Record/Release (CPR) online challenges.
The KBF STATE CHALLENGE Series provides a pathway to the KBF REGIONAL Challenge Series and KBF Challenge Series NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The Ketch KBF STATE Challenge Series is a month long Catch-Photo-Release series that runs from January through September.
2026 KBF STATE CHALLENGE Series AOY Ranking
Top THREE (3) scores from 2026 KBF KETCH State Challenge Series Protected by Guardian Angel month long online events (500 points max at each, totaling 1,500 max, with 5-point decrement per place).
KBF STATE Anglers of the Year will be determined by the highest combined THREE (3) scores for EACH state plus the KBF STATE Challenge Series Championship. The Championship will be held in October to crown a STATE CHAMPION and finalize the race for the Rogue Fishing KBF STATE AOY.
POINTS STRUCTURE: At each KBF Monthly State Challenge, points are awarded ranging from a maximum of 500 to a minimum of 100 (REGISTRATION) and 100 (PARTICIPATION), dropping by 5 points per place.
Entries into EACH state are automatically entered into the corresponding REGION. In order for fish to count towards the REGION, anglers must have the ticket for that REGION. If an angler plans to compete in multiple states and have all of them count towards the REGION they MUST have the ticket for EACH State.
KBF GreenHorn Challenge Series | 2026
For 2026, the KBF STATE Challenge Series provides an opportunity for new anglers or those less interested in serious competition an opportunity to participate in the GREENHORN Challenge Series.
The GREENHORN Series follows the same format and RULES as the KBF STATE Challenge Series.
The GREENHORN Series is a month long event based on the same best five fish format but is not broken down by state. All GREENHORN competitors are competing in one overall challenge with prizes drawn from all entries.
Please review KBF STATE Challenge Series EVENT DETAILS for additional information, watch the mandatory CAPT's MEETING video and thoroughly review the KBF RULES.
Please utilize the KBF TEST TOURNAMENT to familiarize yourself with the Fishing Chaos APP.
The exclusive GREENHORN Challenge Series will run from FEBRUARY through OCTOBER. This Series is hosted in the KBF STATE Challenge Series by selecting the GREENHORN Challenge Ticket.
This series offers a low cost, low barrier to entry option for getting started with CATCH, PHOTO and RELEASE events.
KBF will provide additional prizes, events and opportunities based on series participation.
GreenHorn Membership Includes:
FREE KETCH Karbonate Measuring Board ($35.99 value)
FREE Entry into Monthly GreenHorn Challenge Series events (Feb-Oct) - $150 value
Monthly prize drawings starting at $500 from participating Sponsors
Exempt from monthly Fishing Chaos Fees - $39.99 value
Overall value: $250.00
⚠️ Eligibility Rules:
ONLY GreenHorn Members are ELIGIBLE for the GREENHORN Challenge Series.
GREENHORN Members are NOT ELIGIBLE for the STATE Challenge Series and KBF STATE Challenge Series Competitors ARE NOT eligible for the GREENHORN Series.
GREENHORN Members ARE ELIGIBLE for the Torqeedo TOP TEN Challenge and the UNLIMITED Challenges.
We will not be able to TRANSFER or PRORATE memberships so someone who is already a member would have to pick up the GREENHORN membership and if someone was a GREENHORN and wanted to move into fishing in the STATE Challenge Series they would have to transition to a Veteran, Homeland Hero, AmBASSador, Premium or Lifetime Membership.
Ketch KBF REGIONAL CHALLENGE Series | 2026
The KBF REGIONAL Challenge Series provides KBF Members opportunities to compete in places and times most convenient to them while competing with other anglers within their REGION. These online events are Catch-Photo-Release (CPR) online challenges.
The Ketch KBF REGIONAL Challenge Series is a month long Catch-Photo-Release series that runs from January through September.
There is NO additional charge or entry fee for monthly challenges as REGIONAL Standings are based on KBF STATE Challenge Series entries for states within that region and are automatically added based on KBF STATE Challenge Series events.
**In order for fish to count from multiple states, the angler must be entered into each state that they plan to compete.**
2026 KBF REGIONAL AOY Ranking
KBF REGIONAL Anglers of the Year will be determined by the highest combined THREE (3) scores for EACH REGION plus the KBF REGIONAL Challenge Series Championship. The Championship will be held in October to crown a REGIONAL CHAMPION and finalize the race for the Rogue Fishing KBF REGIONAL AOY.
Top THREE (3) scores from 2026 KBF KETCH State Challenge Series month long online events (500 points max at each, totaling 1,500 max, with 5-point decrement per place) from any of the states within the region combine with the KBF Challenge Series REGIONAL Championship (700 Points / 7 Points Per Place).
Competitors are NOT required to fish in all states in the region to qualify for the KBF Challenge Series REGIONAL Championship.
Ketch KBF NATIONAL CHALLENGE Series | 2026
The KBF Challenge Series NATIONAL Championship is comprised of anglers that finish in the top 50% (minimum 5) of each KBF STATE Challenge Series event.
KBF Challenge Series NATIONAL Championship: Huntsville, Alabama (Lake Guntersville/Wheeler) - November 11-12, 2026. Points accumulation began in January 2026 and run through September 2026.
QUALIFICATION - 2026 Challenge Series NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP:
TOP 50% of all STATE CHALLENGE Series events.
KFAST Cut Line: KBF Members whose cumulative best three score total over 1,200 points will also qualify to compete in the KBF Challenge Series NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED: Minimum Membership Level is AmBASSador. PREMIUM/LIFETIME Members are also eligible.
Important Rules & Notes
Concurrent Events: KBF Members may submit the same photo of a fish they catch in concurrent KBF competitions (two bordering states with reciprocal fishing license agreements, a KBF TRAIL Series Tournament, KBF AmBASSador Series events, for example). While most opt to compete in only one state or region at a time, KBF Members have been known to compete in multiple states or provinces during the same month-as well as in several KBF TRAIL or AmBASSador Series Tournaments.
Time Zones: For states or regions with multiple time zones, events go by the predominant time zone. Northeast, Southeast, and FL/TX regions are set for Eastern Time Zones. Central Region for Central Time Zone, and West Region goes by Pacific Time. Don't rely on your lake-time, but go by the time zones laid out above.
Registration Deadline: 11:59 PM (CENTRAL TIME ZONE) on the first day of competition each month.
Tournament App: KBF Challenges will be run using Fishing Chaos. Use the KBF TEST TOURNAMENT to familiarize yourself with the app before competing.
2026 KBF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (KBFNC) - November 13th
Competitors that finish in the TOP 100 of the KBF Challenge Series NATIONAL Championship will qualify to fish in the KBFNC. The KBFNC format for 2026 will be a one day, five fish limit event to crown the KBF NATIONAL CHAMPION and award the final slot in the KBF The TEN.
KBF The TEN for 2027 Qualifiers will be held in SPRING 2027 with the location being announced 30 days prior to the event.
The KETCH KBF Challenge Series qualifies the TOP 10 competitors in the Rogue Fishing KBF NATIONAL Angler of the Year standings for the KBF The TEN. Competitors in the KBF The TEN fish for a guaranteed $10,000 First Place Prize and a minimum of $1,000.
KBF CATCH22 Series | 2026
The KBF CATCH22 Challenge Series is designed to encourage consistent fishing throughout the year, with a focus on catching 22-inch fish or 22 total fish. Participants use the Fishing Chaos app to submit catches in a Catch-Photo-Release format. $22 entry fee.
The series includes both an Unlimited Challenge (monthly) and Black Bass State Challenges, aiming to catch the 22 biggest fish — tying in directly with the FishOPS program.
Participants can win cash, gear, and exclusive Mission 22 and KBF challenge coins and dog tags.
🎖️ Supporting Veterans, Public Servants & First Responders
The CATCH22 Series is tied to FishOPS and proudly supports Mission 22 and other veteran advocacy organizations. KBF partners with charities supporting veterans, public servants, and first responders. The number 22 represents the estimated 22 veterans lost to suicide every day — a cause KBF is committed to fighting. By fishing, you're helping those who served.
Entry Fee & Payouts
Entry Fee: $60 per Challenge
CASH PAYOUTS begin at 5 registered competitors. For five or less competitors, there will be no payout, but competitors will enter subsequent events for free until reaching a minimum of six participants.
Refund requests must be received one week (seven days) prior to competition start time. An administrative fee of $5.00 is charged for all refund requests.
Ready to Compete?
Get a KBF membership to start entering tournaments and competing for prizes.