HEMPHILL, Texas — The 2025 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft is coming to a close, and there is no better way to finish the season than with a big-bass showdown at historic Toledo Bend Reservoir. While late summer conditions will likely still be present, Texas kayak angler Jeff Isham expects the bass to be moving shallower as the days get shorter.

“Hopefully temperatures will be dropping,” Isham said. “My expectation is that the bass will be moving up shallower to target baitfish. Somebody somewhere will be on some big fish.”

Tournament days are scheduled for Sept. 27 and 28 with tournament headquarters located in Hemphill, Texas. This will be the final chance for anglers to earn points toward the 2025 Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race and qualify for the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series National Championship presented by Native Watercraft to be held in conjunction with the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour next March.

“There are a handful of community areas that tend to attract a lot of people,” Isham, who sits in the Top 30 in AOY points, said. “The good thing about this time of year, and it being Toledo, [is that] whatever your strong suit is you should be able to find bass there. The lake is so huge that people should be able to spread out.”

Toledo Bend has surged back to national prominence over the last several seasons, with big bags and lunker largemouth being weighed in almost every week, especially during the springtime. Bassmaster last visited the massive Sabine River reservoir in February 2024, when Kyoya Fujita claimed his second career Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series victory with over 100 pounds of largemouth.

Part of the resurgence of the lake is increased coverage of hydrilla in the lake. Isham expects that will play a big role in this tournament but isn’t sure exactly which areas of the lake will hold the most productive vegetation in this tournament. Standing timber will also be an important piece of cover the bass will use this time of year. Isham will target that with a Texas-rigged worm.

“My favorite thing to do is fish timber, either standing timber or laydowns,” Isham said. “There is lots of that in Toledo, and it should be a factor.”

Isham said topwater walking baits, ChatterBaits and jigs will also be popular choices amongst the field of anglers.

This event is being hosted by the Sabine County Chamber of Commerce.

2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Title Sponsor: Newport

2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Presenting Sponsor: Native Watercraft
2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year Sponsor: Dakota Lithium

 

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.