Branching Out To Find Success

By: Nathan Henthorn

I would assume that most of us got into kayak fishing for similar reasons. Personally, it was an affordable and accessible way to get on the water and do what I love. Once you get in the addiction is inevitable, and with that kayaks we are in now along with the tournament scene has evolved dramatically in recent years.

Competitive kayak fishing has expanded and new clubs have formed nationally and locally to where you can choose events based on what is important to you, and preference is different for all of us. For some, it is being loyal to one local trail and chasing that AOY. Others may put national events priority. After work summertime jackpots are a great option as well! For most, it’s a combination of the few, but it is great to have options.

Personally, I choose to fish events based on geographical location combined with what weekends I am available. I have fished with the OKA since 2015 and Natural State Kayak Anglers since 2016, and usually fish a few, but not all, tournaments with each club. I live in far Northeast Oklahoma, and NSKA based out of northwest Arkansas have events pretty close to where I live. Just this year alone there we three events with some really good Oklahoma water in play.

On weekends where there is not an OKA event, I encourage you to check out other clubs schedules and fish events on bodies of water you may not be super familiar with. This is a great opportunity to sharpen your skills as angler and get know new people beyond just being their friend on social media. River Valley Kayak Anglers out of Fort Smith area is another club that usually has some awesome Oklahoma water in play for events. South East Kansas Kayak Anglers is a newly formed club in 2019 that is growing and has great events right across the border.

While we see more national organizations now than ever before with Hobie BOS, KBF, and now BASS, local clubs will always be what makes kayak bass fishing great. They are the backbone that allows anglers from all skill levels and geographic regions to come together and enjoy friendly competition. I firmly believe the OKA has some of the best sticks around, but local clubs all across America are full of folks who can flat out fish.

See you on the water,

Editors Note: Nathan Henthorn has completed 39 tournaments on tourneyx with 2, 2nd place finishes, a 3rd place finish and 13 top 10 finishes with multiple clubs. With the most recent 2nd place finish at OKA Event #8 at Lake Tenkiller. Henthorn has also compiled 2,500.25" on tourneyx with an average of 15.15" per fish.

Henthorn with a river smallie

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