May Brings Second Largest Kayak Event In State History

If May had a theme for kayak bass tournament trails here in Georgia, it would have been “Go big or go home.” We kicked off the month with a big three club event. We ended the month with three big stringers of largemouth vying for the win. Just how big? Read on.

The tournament month started May 3 on Lake Lanier. Three of the four state championship clubs were involved in this event: East Central Georgia Kayak Anglers, Peach State Kayak Anglers and event host Reel Krazy Kayak Tournament Fishing. With three clubs participating, a big turnout was expected, and this event did not disappoint.

Jamie Dabbs won the most recent CKA event with 98 inches.

A total of 83 anglers entered, making this the largest kayak fishing club event and the second largest kayak fishing event in state history (behind the 91 anglers at the inaugural Three Rivers Throwdown event two years ago). To accommodate such a large field, a lake-wide launch was allowed.

Afternoon thunderstorms forced the tournament directors to cut the event short by a couple of hours, but a lot of anglers still managed to score some solid fish at the measure-in at Sherry’s Bait and Barbecue. When the stringers were all tallied up, it was David Hampton, of Atlanta, notching the win with a 91.75-inch stringer.

For the win, David took home more than $1,200 plus a brand-new Bite kayak from sponsor Jackson Kayaks. Second place went to Mike Manivanh, of Tucker, with a 90.75-inch stringer anchored by his 22-inch largemouth that secured him the Moccasin Lures Big Bass Award for the day. Thomas Clements, of Watkinsville, finished third with 89.25 inches.

A couple weeks later and a couple hours down the Chattahoochee River, Chattahoochee Kayak Anglers held their fourth event of the year. Having won the first three events of the year, you’d have to expect the field had David Scott squarely in the crosshairs of his competitors. With the river being open from the West Point dam down to Blanton Creek Park, big largemouth, spots and shoalies were potentially in play.

While the entire river put up big fish of all three species, the winning pattern for the day was bedding largemouth. With all the rain that racked Georgia this spring, the spawn was delayed, and those fishing it found success. Like any good champion, David Scott brought his A-game, posting 96.25 inches, but it was Jamie Dabbs who won the tournament with 98.00 inches. He also had big-bass honors with a 22.25-incher. Nick Dyer finished third with 94.75 inches.

Upcoming Tournament Schedule
June 1: Ocmulgee River (flat water alternative, Lake Juliette), PSKA
June 1: Lake Guntersville, Alabama (with Tennessee Valley Kayak Anglers), RKKTF
June 15: Coosa River, Alabama (flat water alternative, Lake Jordan), CKA
June 29: Flint River (flat water alternative, Charlie Elliot) PSKA (with ECGKA & CKA)

David Hampton, of Atlanta, won the 83-kayak tournament on Lake Lanier with 91.75 inches.