APPLETON, Wis. — He had to wait his turn, but patiently managing the scenario gave Aiko Vang the calm clarity necessary to lead Day 1 of the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Wolf and Fox Rivers presented by Native Watercraft.

Hailing from Plainfield, Wis., Vang entered five smallmouth bass that gave him a cumulative total of 92.75 inches.

“I had a lot of people ahead of me, and the best decision I made today was to let everyone fish the area I wanted to fish and not get in a rush,” Vang said. “I decided to let it happen and fish at my own pace and at my leisure.”

The final event of the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft regular season, the tournament follows a catch-photo-release format. Competitors may launch from any approved public launch with tournament waters including Lake Butte des Morts, Lake Poygan, Lake Winneconne and Little Lake Butte des Morts.

Fishing out of a 14-foot Hobie Pro Angler 360 with a Newport NK300 HD motor, Vang spent his day in the Wolf River system. There, he fished a variety of habitat features such as sand, mud, wood and weeds.

“It just had to be the right depth and the right transition,” Vang said of his strategy specifics. “I probably worked eight to 10 stretches that were maybe 100 yards long. We covered a lot of water.

“I was only able to fish two of my stretches twice, due to time constraints. Both of them produced fish twice.”

Vang started his morning with a topwater and caught two legal fish that way. He ended up replacing both with fish he caught on an unnamed finesse bait.

“For the most part, the afternoon bite was better,” Vang said. “Because I had a lot of people in front of me, I had to wait until the fish set up.

“It was about 10 o’clock when I was able to fish where I wanted to fish and it happened quickly.”

Vang entered the largest fish for the 9-10 a.m. and Noon-1 p.m. hours with a 19.25 and 19.75, respectively. His best five fish also included smallmouth that measured 18.5, 18.25 and 17 inches.

“The game plan for tomorrow most likely depends on how many people fished the area today,” Vang said. “I think the fish might have gotten (heavily pressured), so I do plan on making a longer run tomorrow to get on some fresher fish.”

Guillermo Gonzalez of Fort Worth, Texas is in second place with 92.25 inches, followed by Patrick Keating of Machesney Park, Ill., with 92, Tricia Angelini of Athens, N.Y., with 90.25, and Elvis Lee of Maplewood, Minn. with 89.5.

Jordan Westerman of Plover, Iowa leads the Big Fish standings with his 20.25-inch smallmouth.

A total of 87 anglers from around the U.S. are fishing in this derby, the fifth of sixth regular-season kayak events scheduled this year. A total of $17,400 in prize money will be awarded to top anglers with the winner collecting $4,900 cash.

Anglers also are competing to earn Pro-Guide Batteries Angler of the Year points and qualify for the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft at Lake Murray Oct. 14-16.

Action at Wolf and Fox Rivers resumes Sunday at 6 a.m. Central and will continue through 2 p.m. Central. An awards ceremony will follow the competition. Bass fishing fans can follow the real-time leaderboard on Bassmaster.com.

Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau is hosting the event.

 

2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series Title Sponsor: Newport

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.