CKA Tournament 3
Tournament 3: Lake Gaston
Sponsored by Greensboro Gardens
Carolina Kayak Anglers has never fished the same schedule two years in a row. There are simply too many great fisheries in North Carolina, and we want to fish them all.
Take a look at the lakes and rivers that are eligible water for the 20 for 23 series on the Carolina Kayak Anglers website, and you will see over 40 of them listed. That’s unique among fishing clubs and trails that use any type of vessel – power boats, kayaks or jon boats.
Look at the list again, and you will see every lake that hosts big tournaments listed there – except for one. That lake is Lake Gaston. CKA has never fished it, but on April 22, we finally will compete on its grass beds and around its duck blinds and boat docks.
In doing so, we will venture as far east as the club has ever gone, to a premier fishery on the Roanoke River chain of lakes. Gaston is the only new lake on this year’s schedule, and we are fishing it right at the peak of the spawn.
About the Lake
An impoundment of the Roanoke River, Lake Gaston begins at the Buggs Island/Kerr Lake Dam spans 350 miles of shoreline and over 20,000 acres of water. Recently, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “vented” the dam at Buggs Island, creating greater oxygen flow into the lake’s headwaters that makes the lake’s upper end a healthier habitat for game fish species.
The lake is accessible from both I-85 at its north end or I-95 at its south end, and has an abundance of public access points and launches. Expect the docks and duck blinds on this long, narrow lake to provide tons of cover for post-spawn bass. From dam to dam, the lake also provides current features that will appeal to river anglers, and large grass beds that hold Largemouth and Spotted Bass species. Smallmouth bass are also caught on occasion, although rarely!
Licensing
Gaston is one of several bodies of water that is covered by the Virginia-North Carolina agreement regarding reciprocal recognition of fishing license on certain fisheries. Therefore, a valid VA or NC fishing license is acceptable for this event.
Getting Ready
- Make an account: CKA uses the Fishing Chaos app for Catch-Photo-Release tournaments. Accounts are free, and angler’s save on fees with a membership.
- Practice and pre-fish: We encourage new anglers to practice using the app. To that end, if you are practicing or pre-fishing for the Lake Norman event, you can submit fish from eligible water to CKA’s 20 for 23 online tournament. To encourage participation and practice, we left April registration open!
- Renew your CKA membership and fishing license. If you want to save tournament points to compete for Rookie or Angler of the Year, become a CKA member. If you are a member, Fishing Chaos will inform you when it is time to renew!
- Register: Click here to register for CKA at Lake Gaston.
Additional Info
Check in location is TBD.
Click here for the full CKA schedule, tournament info, rules and more.
Click here for info on CKA’s 10th season.
Note: CKA has adopted some rule changes for the 2023 season. Please review and learn them as they are applicable to all CKA events. For example,
- CKA will only permit launches from the list of pre-approved sites.
- Post-tournament check in will also be mandatory.
Remember: All CKA Tournaments are 2024 KBF National Championship Qualifying Events, but you must be a KBF member prior to the CKA event. To become a KBF member, click here: https://www.kayakbassfishing.com/join/
Anglers must be present at the post-tournament check-in to retain points and collect prizes. If you place in the money, you will be asked to remain for post-event photographs. In the absence of submitted written dispute, prizes will be distributed via PayPal within 24 hours.
Don’t forget the Str8-Up Mounts BIG BASS pot! The Biggest Bass of the 2023 season will receive a $500 reward as well as a custom Ketch trophy. Both will be awarded after the Gate City Classic in September!
Please be sure to obtain a valid N.C. license or VA fishing license for this event. CKA asks for proof of a valid license for anglers who win prizes.
Follow CKA on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram!
© CKA 2014-2023
