Hobie launched the Hobie Bass Open Series, which kicked off last weekend in Dayton, Tenn., and runs through November in various locations. The tournament — an offshoot of the Hobie Bass Open on Kentucky Lake — is a response to demand for a kayak fishing circuit.
The Hobie Bass Open Series will comprise six open events, 11 satellite tournaments, one last-chance shootout and a Tournament of Champions in November on Lake Ouachita in Arkansas, hosted by Mountain Harbor Resort. The top angler from each open tourney earns a spot on the North American team for the Hobie Fishing Worlds 9, and the top six finishing anglers earn a spot in the 50-angler Tournament of Champions.
“We’re excited to help provide this opportunity for the anglers,” said Hobie global strategy director Keeton Eoff in a statement. “This latest initiative definitely jibes with our continued work over the last decade to help the sport of kayak fishing move mainstream, and we’re proud to provide the exposure to a group of anglers who can hold their own in any arena.”
The event schedule is as follows
- March 9-10, Lake Shasta, Calif.
- May 18-19, Kentucky Lake, Kentucky
- June 1-2, Lake Fork, Texas
- June 29-30, Lake St. Clair, Mich.
- Sept. 21-22, Lake Guntersville, Ala.
- Nov. 8, Lake Ouachita, Ark. (B.O.S. Shootout)
- Nov. 9-10, Lake Ouachita, Ark. (Tournament of Champions)
