My Dad has always said that April is the toughest month for fishing in this part of the country – the bass may not have moved up as much as you think they have, or have moved up faster. It can be feast or famine depending on the day and location. This seemed true leading up to the Lake Tenkiller kayak tournament for NSKA, presented by H2 Heat and Air. Several who pre-fished were finding it stingy, and seemingly behind other lakes like Table Rock or Beaver. Tenkiller wouldn’t be a pushover on tournament day. Tournament Results Overall, it was a case of the have and the have nots among the angle ..read more

The 2024 season has started for NSKA NWA and it began on a frigid day at Table Rock Lake. With a cold front, 37 degrees at lines in, and winds out of the NNW, it would be a good challenge for the mix of Arkansas and Missouri anglers hitting the water. The event was presented by Moments by Mandie photography – thank you for the support! The other day I was telling a guy at work that we had a tournament coming up on Table Rock. “What’s it like?” he asked me. “Well, it’s a lot like Beaver Lake but with way more fish and bigger fish.” Beaver has actually really picked up as a bass fishery, but Tab ..read more

Fishing a kayak bass tournament is exciting, challenging, frustrating, and rewarding all at once. I’m also convinced there’s not a better way to get better at fishing than to enter kayak bass tournaments because of the time on the water and focus it generates. For some, the point is to win, and for others it’s just to have fun and fill some competitive spirit. Either way there are some basic tips that can make the most of your experience. Step Out and Get Signed Up! The first step to anything is to commit. I remember my first kayak bass tournament and it was a cold day in December and I only c ..read more

Every few years, nature treats us to a phenomenon that leaves anglers buzzing with anticipation for cicada fishing action – the periodical cicada emergence. In 2024, the cicadas are set to make their grand entrance, and bass fishing enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to capitalize on this natural event. In this article, we’ll explore the impact of the periodical cicada emergence on bass fishing and share some tips to make the most of this extraordinary fishing season. The timing of the cicada hatch in 2024 varied depending on the specific brood and geographic location. Different broods of ..read more

The recent fishing report for Lake Tenkiller from May 21st says “Bass are good on crankbaits, jerk baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures.” Well, throw that out the window, because that’s not how the day was won on Lake Tenkiller kayak fishing for the H2 NSKA NWA mid-May tournament. They anglers in the little plastic boats did a pretty good job with some basic approaches. Tournament Results Lake Tenkiller kayak fishing produces some pretty good limits in kayak tournaments, so it was no surprise that 80″ wasn’t going to get you very far in the standings. There were lots of fish to be caug ..read more

As winter holds its grip, many anglers might be tempted to stow away their gear, but February offers a unique opportunity for bass fishing in a unique time of year. In this article, I’ll tell you why February can be an excellent time for bass fishing, along with some essential tips to make the most out of your winter boat or kayak fishing adventures. Why Bass Fishing in February? Contrary to popular belief, bass fishing in February can be surprisingly rewarding. As the water temperatures drop, bass tend to gather in specific areas, making them more predictable and targetable. Understanding th ..read more

Are you a passionate bank or creek angler, always on the lookout for the perfect tackle kit to enhance your fishing experience? Look no further than the Lurenet Bank and Creek Fishing Tackle Kit, a comprehensive set of baits designed to elevate your fishing game and help you make the most of your time on the water’s edge. In this article, we’ll explore the features and benefits of this all-in-one seasonal tackle kit, breaking down why it’s a must-have for every bank and creek angler. Lurenet’s Bank & Creek fishing tackle kit provides seasonally relevant fishing lures, presentations, and c ..read more

With this winter being particularly cold and unfriendly to my fishing schedule, I have gone to the basketball gym a few times to get some exercise. Recently, while watching a group of five on five go at it in a pickup game, I recognized some parallels between bass fishing and basketball. For some context, at this gym it was mostly older guys whose athleticism, speed, and explosiveness are long gone. But for the most part they can play. Like bass fishing, the game of basketball has nuances that can separate the average angler (player) from a really good angler (player) in tournament competition ..read more

The season came to a close for 2023, with the 2023 NSKA NWA Ace of Blades Classic on a stingy Beaver Lake. The top 25 regular season points leaders, plus the Shootout winner competed for the Championship. History of the Classic has been fairly consistent in what it would take to win. Looking back at the one and two day totals for past Champions, you see a couple of patterns: 2019 – Jeriamy Vann – 75.25 / 74 = 149.25″ (Beaver) 2020 – Jason Kincy – 83.75 / 75.75 = 159.50 (Beaver) 2021 Cole Sikes – 76.50 / 80.25 = 156.75″ (LFS/TR) 2002 – Justin Brewer – 79 / 73 = 152.00″ (TR/Beaver) 2023 – Jacob ..read more

Crucible – “A place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development; a severe test.” Beaver Lake has been pretty good to us the past couple of years. We’ve often referred to it as the Dead Sea, but that’s fallen away lately as the Beav has generated some really good fishing. This time around, the Dead Sea was back in full force for the annual test, or crucible in the August heat. Storms, wake boats, jet skis, low water and tough conditions ruled the day. Some caught’em though, as always! Christa Hibbs’ Big Bass on the day. That is a TINY tail for ..read more