Dan Walker, Capital City Kayak Tournament coordinator and co-owner of MOC Kayaks in Austin, had one thing to say when asked what sets his tournament series apart from other kayak fishing tournaments.
“Get ready to win some money,” Walker said.
The Inaugural Capital City Kayak Tournament Series was on its third stop last weekend on Lake Bastrop, with 37 anglers competing for the top prize.
The tournament season is split between four bass fishing tournaments. The first tournament was held in January, with the final tournament next month. The tournament has two divisions — Fly fishing and conventional.
There are different ways for anglers to win cash and prizes. The overall stringer-length winner of each competition wins the main payout price. The Big Bass Buy-In is a pot given to the angler who catches the biggest bass. The anglers can participate in the Kayak Buy-In, where the winner wins a brand new kayak. There are raffles where anglers can win equipment, guided trips, rods, and reels.
“One hundred percent of the entry fees are paid out to the winners,” Walker said.
On Lake Bastrop, the conventional fishing winner, Joseph Sanderson, won $1,050 with a stringer length of 91.75 inches. Adam Hansen won the fly-fishing division with three fish totaling 47 inches.
Walker said his goal is to have the largest annual kayak tournament payout in the state.
“I want to convert the bass boat guys to come out and fish from a kayak,” he said.
The last tournament is scheduled for April 20 on the lower portion of the Colorado River in Austin. They will award the winners for their last competition and an overall Angler of the Year for both fishing divisions.
For registration information, visit the event’s website at mockayaks.com/tournament-format/.
