The 9th regular season of the CKA Trail series began on Falls Lake in March. The wind was strong that day but the turnout was stronger, and the trend continued over a busy season that concluded on Lake Tillery in November at the Tournament of Champions. Over the course of nearly eight months, CKA anglers travelled and fished North Carolina’s best bass fisheries. Along the way, a veteran angler captured his first title, a Virginia angler captured the Rookie of the Year, and CKA anglers had strong showings at both KBF National events and the revamped North Carolina B.A.S.S. Kayak Nation Series Championship.
Here are a few highlights, with quotes from our anglers:
- Bryan Tsiolkas has fished CKA from the beginning, when he won 1st place at a 2014 tournament on Randelman Reservoir. In 2022, he broke through with two 1st place finishes (Summer Lakes/Shearon Harris) and a consistent record near the top of the standings at nearly every event on the way to his first Angler of the Year title. For the third consecutive year, an angler has won the AOY crown for the first time, a testament to the club’s competitive range.
Tsiolkas described his season:
“My obsession with kayak fishing tournaments started back in 2014 with CKA’s event at Randleman Reservoir. This was my very first fishing tournament and with stiff competition, I was able to pull off the win. I knew from then on I could compete with North Carolina’s best and knew my career was only beginning. Every since I have been hooked on kayak fishing and tournament fishing in general. I have had one goal ever since my first season fishing with CKA, and it was to win AOY. The 2022 season started off strong with a 2nd place finish at Falls, just following my gut, and fishing my strengths. I consistently continued to do so throughout the season and it paid off with back to back wins and multiple top 10’s, big bass titles, and big bass of the year.
All I can say is, it is an honor and a blessing to have such a strong year and especially to win the AOY title for the 2022 season. I look forward to fishing many more seasons with CKA.”
- Virginia angler Bruce Deel became the second Virginia angler to capture a CKA title. In winning the Rookie of the Year crown, Deel joined fellow Virginian the late Charles Crews, who captured the title in 2020. Deel’s title is further evidence of CKA’s long friendship with Virginia clubs and anglers (a friendship that is institutionalized in the annual Battle on the Border).
Deel described his season:
“CKA was the toughest trail I’ve fished to this point. A strong club with a lot of really good anglers. I am honored to win rookie of the year! The brotherhood of kayak fishing is amazing. The friendships I made over the last year are much important than winning!”
- For the first time in the club’s long history, Cory Dreyer won 1st place at a tournament (Dreyer is a nationally renowned kayak angler and also a co-founder of CKA). A CKA 1st place trophy had eluded him until 2022 when he won at Falls Lake. Unfortunately, he did not qualify for the Tournament of Champions because he forgot to pay his CKA membership. Remember to pay your dues!
- CKA continued to work with North Carolina counties to promote the sport of kayak fishing on a state and regional level. Working with Stanly County, CKA held two events at lakes Badin/Tillery (one in May, the other the November ToC), with support from both Stanly County and KBF. Additionally, CKA has worked with Vance County, which has provided facilities and funding for the annual Battle on the Border.
- CKA anglers continued to fish well at the national level. In 2022, CKA saw a new generation of anglers pick up the torch, as Garriett Chavis and Alex Sterling represented the trail well at the KBF National Championship. Additionally, Chavis and Sterling joined Justin Faircloth and Bruce Deel to represent CKA in the Top Team Challenge Cup, a tradition CKA plans to continue when sending a club team (or two) to the 2023 KBF AmBASSador Series Championship.
When asked about his year, Chavis noted “2022 was a successful season for me placing 3rd in AOY and cashing some checks, I am looking forward to the 2023 tournament year and all it has in store.”
- Speaking of KBF, CKA angler Justin Faircloth won the KBF State Challenge Series title as the North Carolina points champion. In doing so he joins previous winners Hank Veggian and Matt Dunn.
- And speaking of Justin Faircloth, he is one of two CKA anglers (the other is Bruce Deel) who will represent CKA at 2023 Bassmaster Classic, having qualified in September at the North Carolina B.A.S.S. Kayak Nation Series State Championship. Faircloth will fish the event for the second time.
- CKA angler and director Eric Nelson won the 2022 Battle on the Border. He is the first North Carolina angler to win the title in the event’s 4 year history.
- In keeping with CKA’s tradition of working with local businesses, CKA continued to work with Get Outdoors Pedal and Paddle. The store is our home base for the Gate City Classic, it provides discounts to CKA members on accessories, kayaks and repairs, and provides prize money to our tournaments. Visit them for your kayak needs this winter and holiday season!
- CKA works by committee, and every year anglers cycle in and out of leadership roles. In 2022, tournament directors Ron Gerber, Garrett Gincley and Wayne Butler stepped down. CKA anglers and staff thank those directors for their service, and celebrate their commitment to the growth of our sport during this amazing first decade of CKA’s history as the longest running kayak bass fishing club in North Carolina. Thank you!
- Finally, we welcome new directors Brian Falbe and Justin Faircloth to the leadership group, and the return of Hank Veggian.
Thank you to all of the anglers and sponsors for making 2022 another successful year. Please click on the sponsor tabs on the CKA website (right menu) and buy their products and take advantage of CKA discounts.
CKA will celebrate its 10th anniversary season in 2023. The 2023 schedule includes an epic line up of some of the club’s most popular lakes, as well as a few surprises. Stay tuned for more!
Click here to see the full 2023 schedule.
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All content and photos © Carolina Kayak Anglers LLC, 2022.
