Kayak anglers had high hopes on 4/20 when they hit the water on Beaver Lake for the Natural State Kayak Anglers (NSKA) and Hobie Bass Open Series (BOS). The NSKA field consisted of a record total of 87 anglers, while there were 35 entered in the Hobie BOS event. As predicted based on a combination of a nice warming trend, well-timed moon phase and reports of fish being caught all over the lake – Beaver Lake was uncharacteristically generous. There were 525 fish submitted, or just over 6 average per angler.
Beaver Lake NSKA Results
Not only was there a record number of anglers for an NSKA tournament, but the performance of these anglers set new highs for a Beaver Lake event. A whopping 95% of all anglers turned in at least one keeper for the day, and a very high (for the Dead Sea) 66% of anglers submitted a limit. This is compared to the last Beaver Lake tournament where only 41% turned in a limit.
Local angler Declan McDonald continued his hot streak and took first place with 84.5″, followed by David Cruz from Kansas with 84.25″, and local Jon Swann took third place with an 83.25″ total. David Cruz also was the winner of the Hobie BOS event, go here for those final standings.
Justin Phillips won the YUM Big Bass with a thick 21.75″ behemoth caught on a red crankbait. Cher Vue won a Bending Branches Angler Pro for the largest Smallmouth/Spotted bass. Below is the top ten for the event, but visit the TourneyX page for full final standings.
Top Ten Finishers
- Declan McDonald
- David Cruz
- Jon Swann
- Billy Bowden
- Cher Vue
- Danny Dutton
- Tyler Zengerle
- Justin Brewer
- Dwain Batey
- Cole Sikes
Top Angler Recaps for Beaver Lake
The top three finishers, Declan McDonald, David Cruz and Jon Swann share where and how they found the fish. Great info here shared by some great anglers.
Where did you go on the lake and why did you choose that location?
Declan – I went up north near the Rambo area, I went there mostly because it’s a really fun place to fish and does have the potential for a nice bag.
David – Coming to the event I knew I wasn’t going to have much time to pre-fish, so I focused on good ol’ map study and experience. A bit of research and I learned that Horseshoe was one of three major areas in the south end of the lake. I looked for channel swings near small coves and arms with south facing banks, rocks, and points, and so for that reason I chose the area directly east from the Horseshoe Bend State Park ramp. (note – directly east is the Blackburn Creek area)
Jon – I went up in the river to muddy water as that is what I’m more comfortable and used to fishing. I felt like the fish were either spawning or about to spawn and figured that muddy water would warm up quicker than the main lake.
What was your overall strategy coming into the tournament?
Declan – My strategy was to just go get and limit and have a good time.
David – Coming into the tournament my strategy was to target pre-spawn staging areas near spawning coves and pockets, and move towards the back of the coves as the day progressed.
Jon – Overall strategy was to go out and have fun. Seriously. I haven’t bass fished on Beaver in 15 years so had to figure it out on the water.
What baits or techniques did you catch your fish on?
Declan – I threw a Ned rig pretty much all day, I was in super clear water and wasn’t having much luck shallow so I went deep enough I couldn’t see the bottom and that’s where I started to catch some more quality fish.
David – I started with a Hermsen Custom Lures crankbait (8-10’). I caught my first fish and no more after that due to the lack of wind. I switched to a 1/4oz Stryker Jig in Green Pumpkin with a little brown accent, paired with a Strike King Rage Craw in Watermelon Red, throwing it parallel to the bank at 8-10’ of water on rocky points near spawning pockets, slowly dragging it across the hard bottom.
Jon – Caught fish on square-bill early but jig was the bait of the day.
Any advice for anglers new to tournament kayak fishing?
Declan – My advice would be to get out on the water as much as you can, nothing beats time on the water when it comes to learning, get used to taking pictures with fish on the board and getting them in your boat.
David – Time on the water is the most important aspect of tournament fishing, followed by understanding seasonal patterns and movements and learning how to read a topo map. Get out there and fish, take notes of time of the year and locations where fish were being caught, baits, as well as weather conditions at the time. Locating fish during tournament hours gets a little easier once we understand seasonal patterns paired with experience by way of time on the water.
Jon – Fishing is just like anything else, practice and challenge yourself to try new techniques. Most of all have fun.
Next NSKA Event
Back to Beaver Lake on May 4 for the Beaver Lake North NSKA tournament. Should be a great one with emphasis on the clear water.