The 2026 Bassmaster kayak fishing schedule is out! I wonder if they went a little too national this season with tournaments really spread out across the country. Would love to read your thoughts in the comments on Americas premier kayak bass fishing series.
Jeff Malott Outdoor Adventures delivers weekly content on kayak fishing, saltwater fishing, deer hunting, bow hunting, and outdoor skills. Learn proven fishing techniques, hunting strategies, and gear recommendations designed for real outdoorsmen. Whether you’re after trophy fish or a successful hunt, this channel brings you authentic outdoor experiences, tutorials, and field-tested advice.
Support my channel by simply bookmarking this link before shopping on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3iBdfpb
16 Comments
Last year was a tough schedule to fish I don't know why they just don't stay in the southeast they're so concerned about getting the money from the chamber of commerce it messes up the schedule makes it not good unviable to really fish it. They need a break off and do their own thing stay in the southeast
That's a tough one. I would like to see the numbers of where most of the anglers are from that fish national events.
I'm sure Ca. has a lot of tourney anglers too but they're so isolated from the rest of the country and how many of them are going to be traveling for AOY. The East coast obviously has a lot too but not as isolated and there seems to be more that travel.
I think this would've have been a good time to add more events.
I gave up on bassmaster few years ago the prize money keeps getting lower rules only apply to certain ppl. Just alot of things behind the scenes that don't add up.Come on bro u know dam well those southern ppl are not coming up here to Lake of the ozarks.
I agree with you.
This stopped being a "working man" series looonnnggg ago… sorry to say.
Sounds fine to me – just stop calling it “Nationals” you want a regional series so call it that.
Living in Maryland, I can see fishing the Susky and Santee in 2026 but I would be approaching each event for the individual fishing experience rather than trying to make a mark on the season standings.
You’re not wrong at all and I live in Wisconsin. I’m hoping we can do some things to encourage our local crowd to participate to up attendance at the Wolf/Fox. Also, KAS is up here the following weekend just an hour away from Wolf/Fox…maybe that will entice some? Idk
Adding a few more tournaments in Texas, Missouri or Arkansas would help the AOY and attendance. After driving two days to California you’ll be rewarded with $5 fuel. Clear lake is worth the drive. Arizona is often overlooked as a compromise.
Agreed, Steve was a smart choice
Ban all fishing tournaments
Like you said Steve is the best so just to add constructive criticism, I'd like to see the Bassmaster Kayak Series ultimately go to 9 tournaments split into three regions (I'm pretty sure this is how the Bassmaster Opens used to be). You can still have the handful of "pros" compete for the overall AOY but also award an AOY for each region. As well as a certain number championship qualifications based on regional AOY standings. I know for me, this would give me enough of an incentive to actually try and fish at least three events. With work, vacation and family commitments I've never see the Bassmaster AOY as an obtainable goal.
Well said brotha!
Some sort of regional series would probably help with 3 or 4 regions that lead to the national championship. It is very difficult for folks in the corners to make multiple events over the season. Travel can be 2 or 3 days each way for many anglers depending on the body of water. I would be curious to see the data of anglers that attend….how many go to all events, how many make 5 out of 6 or 4 out of 6. See the travel stats on that. The northeast def makes a push for the 1st even to get out of the cold but im curious how does the NE show out in other events besides Susky? also maybe the susky has been multiple years now but there is cheating everywhere. It just happens to be hot topic right now but all these lakes have cheaters!!
As someone who lives in Wisconsin, and has chased the Bassmaster circuit the last two seasons, it's nice to finally have one that isn't a 12+ hr drive (Fox and Wolf are like 20mins from me). With that being said, there are a bunch of other bodies of water up here that I would have rather seen on the schedule.
Being from Arizona and breaking these drives down one way, Kissimmee is a 2,150 miles, Caddo is 1,260 miles, Clear Lake being the closest is still 860 miles. Susquehanna 2,400 miles, Santee Cooper 2,400 miles, Fox and Wolf 1,800 miles. That's almost 22,000 miles to the events and back home. Danielperryfishing's comment makes a lot of sense! The three regional series for each region would be very cool and much more affordable for the average angler. I have a goal to get to three of them. I'd love to get to all of them but it's just too much. I do appreciate what Steve is doing and all the work he puts in to give us a National event series.
Sounds like a hater of California angler