KENTUCKY LAKE – The Hobie Bass Open is set to kick off with a captain’s meeting the evening of June 9. Catch, Photo, Release fishing will follow the next two days. Hobie Fishing interviewed last year’s 1-2-3 anglers of Ron Champion, Matthew Scotch and Jay Wallen to get an idea of what’s waiting. Here are words to live by if you’re fishing this Hobie Fishing Worlds 7 qualifier or following the action from afar.
Bring Your A Game: With two spots, one paid, the other an invitation, to Hobie Fishing Worlds 7, as well as cash and prizes, the competition will be red hot. “I’ll be ready,” Champion says.
Come for the Good Time: While the competition will be ferocious, the camaraderie will be off the hook. “It’s like a big family reunion to me,” says Champion, who figures he’s his own competition. After all, it’s hard to catch someone else’s fish. He focuses on his own game plan.
Go Long or Stay Short: Compared with last year, there’s an extra afternoon hour of fishing time. Use it to dial long distance, or stick to your local spots and wait for the pressure to die down for a crucial afternoon bite. Choices, choices… Our hot sticks are divided on this one.
Plan on Long Days: Scotch gets up at 3 am so he’ll have enough time to finish his rigging then run to his chosen launch ramp before the sun cracks the horizon.
Don’t Sweat the Boat Traffic: It’s June on Kentucky Lake. Everyone wants to be on the water points out Wallen. Everyone has to deal with it. Keep cool; don’t let it throw you off your game plan. Scotch suggests dialing down the aggression if it comes to a spot fight. “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. You’ll probably catch more fish than if you’re frustrated and mad. Keep your head down and keep fishing,” Scotch says.
Get Your Ledge On: Reports leading up to a week before tournament day had the fish in post-spawn, moving out to secondary and main river ledges. It’s probably too early for super schools, but not for smaller aggregations of 15 to 20 bass. If there’s current and bait, someone can win this thing fast says Wallen.
Shoot for the Stars: The lake’s been showing well according to Champion. He figures it could take a 20-inch average to win this thing.
There’s Still Time to Sign Up: You can pay the entry fee of $125 cash money in person at the captain’s meeting right up to 7 pm on Friday June 9.
The Deets: Tournament headquarters will be at Kentucky Lake Dam Village Convention Center and Pavilion. There’s a youth division, as well as a free Hobie Funfest watercraft demo including recreational kayaks, SUPs and sailboats as well as Hobie’s unique Mirage Eclipse stand-up pedalboard Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.
Eligible species include largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass caught on human powered kayaks, canoes or SUPs. One hundred percent of entry fees will be paid out with a ratio of one place for every 10 entrants. The top prize is $4,000 based on a field of 150 kayak anglers. The first-place finisher will have his/her airfare, accommodations and entry fee covered courtesy of Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau and Hobie Worldwide.
There will be raffles and prizes as well as other awards including one for the biggest bass each day. Additional sponsors include lodging host Kentucky Lake Dam Village State Resort Park, the host city of Calvert, Hobie Polarized, Lowrance, YakAttack, Bassin’ Magazine, RAM Mounts, St. Croix, Daiwa, Power-Pole, Mustad and Gerber.
Anglers will enjoy a BBQ dinner on Saturday and an awards luncheon on Sunday. To sign up or for more information visit this page.
