BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials announced today that Native Watercraft will return as the presenting sponsor of the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, continuing a partnership that has helped propel competitive kayak fishing into the national spotlight.
The Bassmaster Kayak Series, which features premier catch-weigh-release events across some of the nation’s top fisheries, has seen remarkable growth since its inception. With Native Watercraft’s continued support, the 2026 season will once again provide anglers an innovative and engaging tournament experience that celebrates both competition and conservation.
“The partnership between Native Watercraft and the Bassmaster Kayak Series underscores our shared vision to advance the sport of kayak fishing through innovation and purpose-driven design,” said Tyler Brown, Chief Operating Officer of BIG Adventures, parent company of Native Watercraft. “Our TitanX and the new Hammer design represent the evolution of competitive kayak performance as they are built to empower anglers to push boundaries and perform at their highest level. Partnering with Bassmaster, the definitive name in tournament bass fishing, allows us to not only elevate the competitive experience of the anglers that fish out of our kayaks, but also inspires the broader community of anglers who live for the challenge and thrill of the sport. Ultimately, it’s about fueling the passion of anglers everywhere and continuing to grow the community that makes this sport so special.”
The Bassmaster Kayak Series continues to attract both veteran anglers and newcomers eager to compete in a trail that blends grass-roots accessibility with the prestige of a Bassmaster title. Native Watercraft’s presenting sponsorship has played a key role in enhancing event logistics, visibility and angler experience — ensuring that kayak competitors receive the same high-level recognition as their counterparts in traditional bass boat tournaments.
“Native Watercraft has been an incredible partner in helping us grow the Bassmaster Kayak Series into one of the most respected and exciting platforms in all of competitive fishing,” said B.A.S.S. Chief Operating Officer Phillip Johnson. “Their commitment to performance, design innovation and angler empowerment aligns perfectly with our mission to celebrate and advance this fast-growing segment of the sport. We’re thrilled to continue this partnership into 2026.”
The 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft will feature multiple national tournaments culminating in the Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship, where top anglers will compete for cash prizes and the coveted title of Bassmaster Kayak Series champion.
Fans can follow event coverage, live scoring and updates on Bassmaster.com and across all Bassmaster social media platforms.
About Native Watercraft
Headquartered in Western North Carolina, Native Watercraft is a leading U.S. manufacturer of premium fishing kayaks built for serious anglers. With deep roots in craftsmanship, innovation, and American manufacturing, the brand has long been known for blending purposeful design with performances on the water.
Recent release such as the TitanX, Slayer Propel LTE, and the all-new Hammer have taken the kayak fishing industry by story — each reflecting Native’s commitment to engineering excellence, refined motorization and electronic integration, and thoughtful on-the-water functionality. Backed by decades of boat-building experience and a legacy of dependable design, Native Watercraft continues to inspire anglers to explore more, fish harder, and enjoy the view from the water. Visit nativewatercraft.com.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
