BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Building on the success of its inaugural season, B.A.S.S. officials have announced that the Bassmaster College Kayak Series will once again be held in conjunction with select Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft tournaments in 2026.

College anglers will have the opportunity to compete alongside some of the nation’s best kayak anglers at three premier fisheries:

• Feb. 7-8: Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee, Fla.
• April 18-19: Caddo Lake/Lake Bistineau, Shreveport, La.
• Aug. 1-2: Susquehanna River, Bloomsburg, Pa.

These events will follow the same tournament format that debuted in 2025, designed to give collegiate competitors valuable national-level experience while spotlighting the growth and skill of the kayak fishing community. College Kayak Series anglers must register and pay entry fees for each regular-season Bassmaster Kayak Series event they compete in. The highest-placing College Kayak Series angler will be named the winner of the College Kayak Series event and receive a trophy and a berth to the 2027 Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship. College Kayak Series anglers will be competing against the regular Kayak Series field, which will make it possible for a College Kayak Series angler to win both the Bassmaster Kayak Series event as well as the College Kayak Series event, as evidenced by Carson-Newman angler Ewing Minor who took home both top prizes at the 2025 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Dale Hollow Reservoir presented by Native Watercraft.

“In 2025 we had great experience with the college anglers competing in conjunction with the Bassmaster Kayak Series events,” said B.A.S.S. Kayak Series Tournament Director Steve Owens. “The composure and professionalism they each display is a wonderful thing to see in our sport. We look forward to more colleges joining us as we continue to develop the series and highlight its anglers.”

The Bassmaster College Kayak Series allows student anglers to earn recognition on a national stage, connect with peers from other universities and learn the discipline and preparation required to advance within the upper levels of Bassmaster’s tournament trails.

More information on the Bassmaster College Kayak Series, including registration dates and rules, can be found at Bassmaster.com/Kayak.

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.