Angler favorite Susquehanna River on deck for Kayak Series
BLOOMSBURG, Pa. — Deciphering the water level and current flow will be key for anglers competing in the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Susquehanna River presented by Native Watercraft.
Tournament days are scheduled for Aug. 1-2 with tournament headquarters located in Bloomsburg, Pa. All anglers will earn Pro-Guide Batteries Angler of the Year points, and the Top 5 finishers will punch their tickets to the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft at Lake Murray, to be held in October.
Full of giant smallmouth, the Susquehanna River has become a favorite destination for kayak anglers across the country. B.A.S.S. has visited the lengthy system twice, once in the fall of 2023 and again in the summer of 2024. The summer event was won by Ewing Minor with a two-day total of 187.75 inches, and the top 16 anglers averaged more than 90 inches per day.
The playing field is extensive, but anglers who understand current and which current breaks hold the best quality smallmouth will excel. Emergent vegetation and eelgrass are common in the river as well as rock and wood.
In a normal year, the river is as low as it’ll be all year in August, with reduced current, but a major rain event could change the dynamic significantly.
Several baits will come into play, including topwater, soft jerkbaits, ChatterBaits and finesse presentations such as a Ned rig or shaky head.
Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau is hosting this event.
2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series
2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series Presenting Sponsor: Native Watercraft
2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year Sponsor: Pro-Guide Batteries
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, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, 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, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, 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.
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Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, [email protected]
