Tournament Schedule

5:30-6:00 AM – Physical Check-In

Anglers MUST check-in within this window. Failure to check-in on-time will result in disqualification. We recommend all anglers unload their gear before and during check-in. Kayaks and gear may be stored on the bank, or near the launch. Be sure to leave room for other people to use the ramp!

Check-In Location: Mason Lake County Park

6:00 AM – Captain’s Meeting & Team Assignments

6:07 AM – Sunrise

6:15 AM – Launch: Shotgun Start (Mason Lake County Park)

6:30 AM – Lines In

12:30 PM – Lines Out

1:30 PM – Upload Deadline

  • Cell Service on Water: Spotty
  • Cellular service may not be available on the water.

2:00 PM – Weigh-In & Awards Ceremony

  • Competitors must be present at weigh-in location by this time. Competitors who are not present by this time will be disqualified.

Weigh-In Location: Mason Lake County Park


Tournament Details

  • Registration Ends: 04/07/2023 11:59 PM
    Late registration is limited and subject to an additional $10 late registration fee
  • Identifier Code Released: 04/070/2023 10:00 PM
  • Off Limits Period: None
  • Official Practice Ends: NA

Check-In Location:

Weigh-In Location:

Focus on Fun

The Season Kickoff Open promises to be a blast. Come on out to fish and meet other kayak anglers (experienced and newbie alike are welcome).

Kayak Bass Fishing Tournament

This bass fishing tournament is focused on fun and teamwork. If you’ve been thinking about getting involved in competitive kayak fishing, the Season Kickoff Open is a great place to start. We will randomly pair one less-experienced tournament angler with one more-experienced tournament angler, to compete as a two-person team for the tournament. We will be fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. We score fish by length, using the smartphone app TourneyX Pro. We practice CPR (catch, photo, release) to tabulate our scores. We will have measuring boards for sale if you need one. There’s a three fish limit per angler, which means the longest six catches between you and your teammate are combined to tabulate your score. Each angler’s best two fish are counted, which means you both need to catch two fish for the best chance of winning! We also have an optional Big Bass Buy-In, which means the person who catches the largest bass of the day gets the pot (minus PayPal fees).

Nearly 100% payout to the top three teams (minus PayPal and TourneyX fees) split 50/50 between teammates.

Special Rules:

  • This is an open tournament, so no KFNW membership is required.
  • No AOY points will be calculated.
  • Electric motors are allowed (within the KFNW Rules Standard).
  • This is a team tournament. The Tournament Director will assign teammates at random, pairing more-experienced tournament anglers with less experienced tournament anglers. Anglers will fish as a team, and scores will be calculated on the best team score (two longest fish per angler, four fish total). If one of the two teammates does not catch two fish, culled fish from the other teammate can not be counted.
  • There will be a shotgun start for this tournament, with no delay for competitors with electric motors.

Safety Notes:

  • An overhead 360° light is required in low light conditions. A high-visibility flag, vest-type PFD, and sound signaling device (whistle) are required on the water at all times. Failure to utilize any of this safety equipment may result in disqualification.
  • If you are displaying any of the known symptoms of COVID-19, including without limitation, fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea, stay home. If at any time before or during the Event you begin to experience any such symptoms, or learn that you have come into contact with anyone who either has COVID-19 or is displaying such symptoms, you must immediately alert an Event official and withdraw from the Event.
  • KFNW has a no refund policy on entry fees, but we will make an exception and issue refunds for competitors who experience symptoms of, or are diagnosed with COVID-19 before the event has been completed. Competitors must notify their Tournament Director. KFNW will not issue refunds unless they are notified sufficiently before lines out.

Launch Locations:

  • Mason Lake County Park (improved)

Eligible Water Boundaries:

  • Main water body
  • Connected creeks, rivers, sloughs and tributaries accessible via kayak from the main body of water are in-bounds up to 1 mile from the main main body (conditions permitting for safety and accessibility)
  • Disconnected sloughs and ponds are out-of-bounds.
  • Portaging is not permitted
  • Only public waters are allowed

Tournament Director: