Feature Story and Photos by Larry H. Oskin
The National Kayak Bass Fishing Pro Tournament was here at the Clermont area Chain of Lakes this past week to celebrate all of the wonderful lake fishing opportunities here in South Lake County. While one-third of the participating anglers were from right here in Florida, others came here from Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Clermont became the first stop on the new 2020 KBF Pro Tour. Anglers competed here for the best 10-bass limit over two days. kayak tournaments score fish based on length and a two-day, 200-inch limit which is an average of over five pounds. Contestants brought their own kayaks and fishing gear for this special catch and release bass tournament competition. Many of the anglers brought their families and friends to stay here to enjoy our lakes, restaurants, hotels and sights. This Pro Kayak Fishing Tournament headquarters and award ceremony was held at the Clermont City Center located at 620 West Montrose Street in Clermont, FL 34711.
National Kayak Bass Fishing Tournament: Chad Hoover, KBF Tournament President and Joe Haubenreich, the National KBF Tournament Series Director and KBF COO were both here in Clermont to organize and supervise the tournament. While here, they also shared live and recorded tapings for their national TV show. They came here to Clermont from their Hendersonville, TN headquarters. KBF has partnered with kayak fishing clubs across the United States with events from north to south and east to west coasts. These affiliated clubs hold their own competitions, yet they also serve their local communities, introducing the sport of kayak fishing to individuals, families and schools.
KBF Chain of Lakes: The competitors were able to launch from any area public boat ramp they desired. As unbelievable as it may sound, the enormous amount of eligible local Clermont Chain of Lakes included the Lake Louisa Park Lakes with its two tributaries, Lake Emma, Lucy Lake, Lake Cherry, Cook Lake, Lake Wilson, Lake Minneola, Lake Hiawatha, Lake Palatlakaha, Lake Minnehaha, Lake Winona, Crescent Lake, Lake Susan, Bear, Dixie, Hammond, and Smokehouse Lakes in Lake Louisa State Park, Lake Toho and Johns Lake.
Competitive Winners: The top ten in rank included their nationally recognized Pro Tournament point system. These top anglers were awarded points towards the ongoing 2020 KBF PRO Angler of the Year competition.
- First Place: Jody Queen of West Virginia who caught a total of 192.75″ in fish. That comes out to about 48 pounds for hist biggest ten caught fish; which is close to a five-pound average per fish. Jody caught all his bass on Johns Lake and was awarded $2,020.15.
- Second Place: Drew Gregory of North Carolina caught a total of 180.75″ in fish. He was awarded $1,028.44.
- Third Place: Cory Dreyer of North Carolina caught 170.00″ for a $624.41 prize. Dreyer caught all of his bass on Johns Lake.
- Fourth Place: Jim Williams of Georgia with 165.00″.
- Fifth Place: Anthony Winkleman of Kentucky caught 158.50″. He caught a 23.25″ bass here on his first day out, which was his personal best and then caught another personal best the next day measuring 24.00″ at about 8 pounds.
- Sixth Place & The Top Florida Angler: Duayne Dwyer of Florida caught 149.75″.
- Seventh Place: John DiCenzo RI (144.75″)
- Eight Place: Bob Bogdal of Tennessee caught 141.50″. He caught a big bass for this event at 24.25″, which would be around 8 or 9 pounds.
- Ninth Place: Sherman Bishop of Florida caught 131.25″
- Tenth Place: Dylan Fuqua of Illinois caught 128.25″. Dylan Fuqua is only 15 years old. Last year, when he was still 14 years of age, he won KBF’s first Pro Tour Event of the Year at Santee Cooper and then another one later in the summer of 2019.
Growing Kayak Fishing Popularity: The fastest-growing segment of the sportfishing market today is kayak fishing. Estimates are that over 800,000 bass anglers list kayaks as their preferred and primary method of fishing. The lightweight watercraft break barriers that previously kept anglers off some desired areas of the water. They can easily fish with kayaks in swamps, streams and backwaters. By catching, photographing and releasing fish where they are caught, kayak fishing competition also helps to protect the fisheries.
Future KBF Realtree Tournaments In South Lake, Florida: Hoover and Haubenreich worked closely with the South Lake and Clermont visitors’ bureaus to put this first local event together. While being taped at the awards ceremony for a national TV show, President Chad Hoover noted that, “Even though this was the very first time we selected Clermont, Florida for our Realtree Pro Tournament, we will definitely be back again soon due to compete on the vast number of wonderful lakes here in the Clermont area!” KBF will work with our county, so they can soon announce future dates and plans to return here to South Lake County with more events.
For More KBF Information: Contact Chad Hoover, President and Joe Haubenreich of the National Kayak Bass Tournament by email at kbfjoe@gmail.com, joe@kayakbassfishing.com and kayakbassfishing@gmail.com. Visit their website at https://www.kayakbassfishing.com/event/2020-kbf-pro-tour-clermont/. Watch for this tournament and them on TV at:www.kayakbassinshow.com/. KBF is headquartered at 143 New Shackle Island Road, Suite 4 in Hendersonville, TN 37075 USA.
EDITORIAL NOTE: Larry Oskin is a writer and photographer for the South Lake Tablet. He is the owner of Marketing Solutions / Art Beautique, offering creative marketing, media relations and professional fine art photography services. He is a Board Member of the Clermont Downtown Partnership, the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra and the Clermont Historic Society. For more information, contact Oskin at 703-508-6800 or at LOskin@MktgSols.com.
