The 2011 Riverbassin’ Tournament Trail begins in less than one month! A one of a kind kayak fishing trail, the Riverbassin’ Trail makes its first stop on April 2, 2011 in Charlotte, NC and will feature 15 tournament stops across 11 states. What’s unique about this fishing trail is that, except for the grand finale, it is held exclusively on flowing water such as rivers and creeks. While other tournament trails overlook the quality fishing and beauty rivers and creeks provide, the Riverbassin’ Trail showcases river fishing like no other.
SCORING
At each stop competitors will fish nearby rivers or creeks of their choice with paddle-powered watercraft only. They will take photos of their catches on a measuring device and then bring their camera’s memory card back to the host location where a results show will take place to determine the winner. Winners will be determined based on a 3 fish combined length for individuals and a 4 fish (2 from each angler) combined length for teams.
TEAM DIVISION
New to this year’s tournament is the team division which enables competitors to form two person teams. This is a great edition since river fishing naturally requires floats, where one truck is at the put-in and another truck is at the take out. This is especially necessary when river currents are too strong to paddle against. The team division also enables father and child teams to compete against others. No longer will a father have to leave his young daughter or son home when he wants to fish the trail. By only requiring a 4 fish stringer (2 from each competitor), the team division enables father-child teams to compete with the big dogs!
GRAND FINALE
The Grand Finale, located in Roanoke, VA on September 10, 2011, will also feature a tournament within a tournament. The top 10 anglers from the Riverbassin’ Trail will compete to be named River Basser of the Year in a separate tournament within the main tournament. At each stop on the trail competitors will accumulate points based on how they finished and the top 10 competitors with the highest 3 tournament point total will qualify to compete for the River Basser of the Year title at the Grand Finale. Additionally, the Grand Finale will also feature a “Lake Basser” division on Smith Mountain Lake sponsored by kayakbassfishing.com to make the finale the Super Bowl of freshwater kayak fishing. Also, check back often because the Grand Finale will continue to grow larger, offering many more events and activities!
Some of the prizes include Jackson Kayak Coosas, Diablo Paddlesports Kayaks, NuCanoes, Ascend Kayaks, Kokatat Watersports Wear, Aqua Bound Paddles, Backwater Hand Paddles, GoPro Cameras, HookOne Kayak fishing gear, gift cards and products from the various tournament hosts such as Appomattox River Company, Canoe Kentucky, The Outside World, Mahoney’s, Lewis & Clark and Paddle and Trail and more!
For more information please visit riverbassintrail.com.
TOURNAMENT STOPS
Bedrock Series
Charlotte, NC -April 2
Birmingham, AL – April 16
Frankfort, KY – April 30
Farmville, VA – May 7
Fayetteville, AR – June 4
Columbus, GA – June 11
Nashville, TN – June 25
Atlanta, GA – July 9
Beloit, WI – July 30
Roanoke, VA **Grand Finale** – September 10
Everglades Series
Cape Coral, FL – April 9
North Palm Beach, FL – May 21
Dania, FL – June 18
Texas Hill Country Series
Austin, TX – April 9
*Additional tournament stops may be added.
Photos courtesy of the Riverbassin’ Trail.
