COLUMBIA, S.C. — B.A.S.S. announced today the inaugural stand-alone Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft will be held Oct. 14-16, 2026, on Lake Murray, marking a significant milestone for one of the organization’s fastest-growing competitive platforms.
Previously held in conjunction with the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, the 2026 event will be the first Kayak Series Championship to stand on its own, providing a dedicated stage for the sport’s top anglers to compete for a national title.
The 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft will be held on Lake Murray out of Columbia, S.C., Oct. 14-16.
“This is a major step forward for the Bassmaster Kayak Series and the anglers who compete in it,” said GL Compton, B.A.S.S. Tournament Manager, Nation and Kayak. “Creating a stand-alone championship allows us to showcase this discipline at the highest level while giving these competitors the spotlight they’ve earned. Lake Murray is the perfect venue to host this historic event, and we expect a highly competitive and exciting championship.”
“Lake Murray has been one of the best fisheries in the country for quite some time,” said Steve Owens, Bassmaster Kayak Tournament Director. “Being able to bring a championship to the Capital City/Lake Murray Country — where we set our Bassmaster Kayak Series attendance record of 256 anglers in 2024 — is special. It’s exciting to see what our men and women can do in October. That time of year, there should be options to be competitive in all facets and stages of fishing. Being able to showcase the anglers in our first-ever stand-alone three-day championship, fully equipped with the Bassmaster stage and media team behind it, is surreal. B.A.S.S. continues to develop and grow opportunities for anglers to be showcased across the fishing world, and we look forward to doing so with the input and support of our anglers.”
Located in the heart of South Carolina, Lake Murray is a nationally recognized fishery known for its healthy populations of largemouth and spotted bass. The 50,000-acre reservoir features a diverse mix of structure, including offshore ledges, docks, timber and shallow cover, offering anglers a wide range of strategic options. Its consistent productivity and accessibility have made it a frequent host of major Bassmaster events.
“This event brings national exposure to our region and welcomes 150 anglers to Lake Murray Country for more than three nights, creating a meaningful economic impact for our hotels, restaurants and small businesses,” said Vickie Davis, Executive Director of Capital City/Lake Murray Country. “Capital City/Lake Murray Country is proud to help reinforce why our region continues to be recognized as one of the top bass fishing destinations in the country.”
The Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, established to provide competitive opportunities for kayak anglers across the country, continues to see rapid growth. The series features national-level tournaments where anglers compete using electric motor-powered vessels, emphasizing skill, strategy and adaptability in a format that brings competitors closer to the water.
Anglers will qualify for the 2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship through multiple pathways:
- The Top 5 anglers from each Bassmaster Kayak Series national event, along with the winner of each College Kayak Series event (three total), will earn automatic berths.
- The Top 50 anglers in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings will qualify, with B.A.S.S. working down the list in cases of double qualification. Anglers must compete in a minimum of two events to be eligible.
- AOY standings will be calculated using each angler’s best three finishes plus the Championship event. During the Championship, only anglers who qualified through the 2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series and Pro-Guide Batteries AOY standings will earn AOY points.
- B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series State Championships may send the Top 10% of their field to the Championship, provided at least 10 anglers compete. If an angler has already qualified through other criteria, those spots may roll down within the Nation field until accepted.
Capital City/Lake Murray Country is hosting this event.
