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A Preview of the 2024 North Carolina Kayak Angler Rankings
Angler feedback and participation confirmed the 2023 test-run of the North Carolina Kayak Angler Rankings [NCKAR] as an astounding success. Hundreds of kayak fishing competitors across North Carolina earned points in the standings as anglers began fishing across North Carolina clubs more often, testing their skills in new formats and on different fisheries.
And for the first time, the NKAR race provided them with objective recognition and a fair, simple ranking system. In all, 2023 gave anglers and fans alike a sense of the competitive scale of kayak fishing in the Old North State. It was a sight to behold.
Another sight to behold was the beauty of a battle that top anglers Austin Vang and Will Lambert endured for us all. When it was over, Vang placed second in the NCKAR ranking while fishing primarily in two clubs (Queen City Kayak Bass Fishing and Foothills Kayak Anglers), on his way to the Foothills Angler of the Year Title. Lambert won the first ever NCKAR title while fishing in two clubs as well (Carolina Kayak Anglers and Central Carolina Kayak Fishing), on his way to collecting second place in the CCKF Angler of the Year standings and a CKA Tournament of Champions win.
It stands to reason the two accomplished anglers will be a factor again in 2024. But there are only two constants in tournament kayak fishing. The first is that everything can change from one season to the next. The second is that you’d better hope Rus Snyders doesn’t come to fish in our state (and he very well may, in April).
Speaking of change….The four main trails (CKA, CKKF, FKA and QCKBF) all return to the rankings for 2024, as each has a schedule that qualifies anglers to earn NCKAR points. But there is more change brewing, as new trails appear. In the western part of the state, the Mountain Motor Kayak Series will start in the 2024 season. On the other side of the state not one but two clubs begin on the coastal plain. They are Down East Kayak Anglers (Rocky Mount) and Port City Kayak Anglers (Wilmington). It remains to be seen how many will raise the participation numbers to be included in the NCKAR for 2025, but as the sport grows, so do the local trails – and that’s good news for us all.
Here are a few highlights for each trail in 2024:
Central Carolina Kayak Fishing adds the multi-club Carolina Classic to its schedule in 2024 (on Falls Lake, May 4th). The club also expands its series to the Virginia line with an event on Lake Gaston, and retains its popular Raleigh Rumble event. With a host of new sponsors and a rising set of hungry anglers that have already had some big wins in their young careers, the CCKF trail tests anglers of all skill levels on the Triangle Region lakes. CCKF events are held on TourneyX.
Queen City Kayak Bass Fishing splits its “Main Event” schedule between South Carolina and North Carolina (QC also has a “Western Division”). While QCKBF is based in South Carolina, its Main Event series holds several eligible events in North Carolina. That part of the QC schedule begins earliest, with a February 17th event on the Yadkin Chain, and features also a tournament paired with a national trail event (Hobie B.O.S.). The main event schedule is focused primarily in South Carolina in the middle of the season, but its western division schedule provides opportunity for North Carolina anglers during those months. Additionally, anglers in the N.C. Triangle will have a chance to compete in a QC event on home waters, when QC fishes Falls Lake in early October, and earn valuable late season NCKAR points there. Note however that QC events are ineligible for NCKAR points when a multi-lake event has a body of water entirely in another state. QCKBF events are held on TourneyX.
Carolina Kayak Anglers sees some major changes to its schedule. The state’s oldest club, it previously fished a wide range of lakes across the state. CKA now contracts its geographic range to focus on the North Carolina Triad. Popular multi-lake event the Burlington Bash opens the season for CKA on march 16, with a return to High Rock Lake in April. Lake Mayo was selected by club anglers as a summer lake and their regular season ends with a revamped Gate City Classic in September. If you appreciate the sport’s history as well as intense competition and a strong, community-based focus, then CKA is the trail for you. CKA events are held on Fishing Chaos.
Foothills Kayak Anglers Two years ago, Foothills Kayak Anglers (FKA) were the newcomers. Today, they are an established, well-attended club - and they continue to grow. It’s a testament to the hard work of the club’s directors and also the club’s anglers. The FKA 2024 schedule is packed with good lakes from across the Carolina Piedmont, with emphasis on the Catawba chain fisheries. Note also that FKA holds an interstate event with Upstate Kayak Anglers (SC). FKA events are held on TourneyX.
Additional Info
Complete NCKAR 2023 final standings
North Carolina Kayak Trail Schedules
Carolina Kayak Anglers (CKA) 2024
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