Kayak fishing series headed to Poplar Bluff this summer

Kayak fishing is coming to Poplar Bluff this summer.

The Kayak Adventure Series presented by GoPro recently announced in a press release Poplar Bluff will be one of six sites later this year for a catch, measure, photo, release (CMPR) kayak fishing tournament. The Kayak Adventure Series will come to Poplar Bluff July 11-13 for Old Town Watercraft’s “Ozarkana,” with waters known for their beauty and big bass.

Renowned tournament kayak angler and series founder Drew Gregory has represented GoPro for over a decade.

“GoPros have helped capture some of my life’s most incredible memories on and off the water,” Gregory said. “When I approached GoPro, they saw my vision and how this format will ultimately encourage more anglers to film.

“The ease of the GoPro will inevitably lead to others capturing some of their best moments, too. That alone is rewarding enough, but having them shared on the theater’s big screen will be the coolest part, because kayak fishing is beautiful chaos.”

The series aims to highlight the many styles of anglers and the versatility of the kayak itself, given the craft can be used on the largest reservoirs and rivers or shallowest creeks. Winners might pocket more than $10,000, but it’s the welcoming environment for anglers of all skill levels, friends and families that will appeal to most.

Opening ceremonies will be held Thursday, July 11, while Friday, July 12, will feature seminars and Saturday, July 13, will feature a festival with music, food, games, kayak and Toyota demos, vendor and sponsor booths, kids zone, and all culminates with the main event: the presentation of awards in theaters.

Competitors will fish Friday afternoon and Saturday as they try to catch the longest five bass of the event, scored on a standard measuring device.

If an angler tops 100 inches in the total length of the five fish they catch, a Crosskix Century Belt is given, along with a pair Crosskix to honor the achievement. With an emphasis on fun, there is also the Z-MAN Micro Finesse Micro-Bag Division (five smallest bass).

Fans at home can follow live standings, including scoring photos of the bass, via the Realtree Fishing Real-Time Leaderboard, powered by TourneyX. Events are scored by Reel Tournament Management.

Anglers earn points to compete for the coveted Farwide Angler of the Year and X2Power Team of the Year titles. The Angler of the Year receives an UBCO Electric Utility Vehicle and prize package worth more than $7,500. The Team of the Year also receives a total package worth more than $5,000, filled with sponsor’s gift cards and products.

Each event is headline sponsored by a different kayak manufacturer, each donating a raffle kayak for the season’s charity — Pediatric Cancer — with all raffle proceeds going to the P.U.N.T Foundation to help families in financial need.

The fun begins in Thomaston, Georgia next weekend with “Shoaliepalooza,” where anglers attempt to catch rare shoal bass.

For more information visit kayakadventureseries.com or email chasethewild@kayakadventureseries.com.