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The Season Opener presented by Dobyns Rods and Lake Murray Preview

The Oklahoma Kayak Anglers will be hosting its 2020 Season Opener at Lake Murray in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Anglers will converge from all corners of the state to test their skills against prespawn bass as well as each other on one of Oklahoma's best bass fishing lakes. The tournament will be presented by Dobyns Rods an OKA sponsor. Angler of the Year points, Newcomer of the year points, cash prizes guaranteed for the top 3 finishers, Big Bass cash pot, as well as 3 Dobyns Rods will be on the line. Moreover, any current KBF member who places in the top 3 will receive 2021 KBF National Championship invites. Past openers have had 50 plus anglers on a consistent basis to over 70 anglers at the Lake Konawa season opener in 2016. Anglers placing in the top 10 % of participants will receive a cash prize. For example: 40 anglers - top 4 will be paid, 50 anglers - top 5, 60 anglers - top 6 and so on.

Gary Dobyns is the owner and founder of Dobyns Rods, Gary founded the fishing company because the best the industry had to offer wasn't enough. Dobyns rods adheres to the strictest rod building principles and allows minimal manufacturing tolerances per dobynsrods.com. Dobyns decided to sponsor the OKA by sending 14 of his rods to be distributed at OKA events. Additionally, Dobyns Rods will sponsor the OKA Angler of the Year for the 2021 season. The OKA looks forward to future seasons with Dobyns Rods.

Lake Murray is a 5,700 acre impoundment of Anadarche and Fourche Maline Creeks in Carter County near Ardmore, Oklahoma. Completed in 1941 Lake Murray was named after the 9th Governor of the State of Oklahoma William H. Murray. With 67 miles of shoreline lake Murray has one of the most recognizable landmarks of any Oklahoma lake. Tucker Tower sits atop a rock bluff in the south central part of the lake. Lake Murray has a plethora of campsites, cabins, and other amenities in the city of Ardmore.

At first glance Murray has all the characteristics of a highland reservoir, clear water, rock bluffs, rocky points, and deep creek channels leading into countless coves, creeks, and fingers. However, the upper end of the lake fishes a lot like a lowland reservoir with long flat banks, with grass and lily pads. This lake would be a classic example of a hill-land reservoir. The record Lake Murray largemouth bass came in 2018 by angler Kevin Claypool who landed a 14.2 lb giant. Murray is also known for its smallmouth bass where 6lbers are as possible as big largemouth.

This is not the first event the OKA has hosted on lake Murray, the 2018 OKA State Championship was held here in late September. In that event anglers found the northern end of the lake recovering from heavy rains and the southern end high but not muddy or murky. Micheal Rueban took home the State Championship honors by catching 72.50" of bass. A close 2nd place was angler Josh Crosby with 71", Crosby also hauled in a 20.50" largemouth to win the big bass award. Hope to see you there. Tight Lines!



















    

























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