CKA Returns To Hickory for Carolina Classic!

CKA Season 10

Tournament 4: Carolina Classic

Lake Hickory

Sponsored by Sipe Roofing & General Contracting

CKA fished Lake Hickory for the first time in 2017. Anglers enjoyed the lake and asked to return, so it became a regular stop and we went back every season until 2020. This year, we are going back to see our old friend Lake Hickory to celebrate our 10^th anniversary on this beautiful Piedmont reservoir for our fourth points event of the CKA 10th anniversary season.

We are also going back for another, exciting reason: it’s the first edition of the Carolina Classic!

The Carolina Classic is a joint event organized to celebrate kayak fishing in our state. It will be held every season, and this is the first edition. To that end, we invite every kayak angler to compete with us and meet everyone at the post-event check in. If you haven’t been around tournaments in a while, come see old friends. If you are new to the scene, make some new friends.

Get ready to fish the Catawba Chain at the best time of the season- it’s time for pandemonium in the Piedmont at the Carolina Classic!

Remember that CKA pays out 100% of entry fees (zero hold back!). So far this season, CKA has paid on average over 1,300 to first place, and the Str8UpMounts Big Bass Pot has had an average payout of over $500 per each over. With the enhanced entry fee for the Carolina Classic, expect big payouts on May 20!

Bonus Raffles and Prizes

In addition to bringing on more sponsors for our 10^th anniversary season, CKA is also enhancing cooperation with local clubs and businesses. To that end, Foothills Kayak Anglers has organized a special boat raffle for this event. Working in tandem with Outdoor Supply Company, FKA is selling $10 raffle tickets for a new kayak: a NuCanoe Flint model! For the raffle, you do not have to register to fish, so it is open to anyone. However, you must be present to win at the venue (see address below). The raffle tickets are capped at 100 for sale, and the proceeds go back to event prizes. To purchase tickets, contact Coty Barlowe, Ashley Barlowe, or Garrett Whisnant, or speak with Collin Cates at Outdoor Supply Company.

Also, CKA will provide:

in partnership with On the Water Innovations, CKA will give away an INNO rod box as a door prize at the event,
a new Cashion CK Series rod
$150 worth of YakAttack gift certificates
A Pin Cushion Gift Certificate
A gift certificate from Kayak Kushion
Red Oak Brewery prize packs
And more!

About the Lake

Hickory is a classic Catawba Chain impoundment, with deep, clear water, a developed shoreline in many areas and long fingers and coves. At over 4,000 acres in surface area, Hickory produces large Spotted Bass as well as big Largemouth Bass from a clean, healthy fishery. In 2017, Wayne Butler’s winning bag had a Largemouth Bass as an 22.25” anchor fish!

Also, if we register more than 100 anglers, the lake options will expand to include Rhodhiss and Lookout Shoals!

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!

Additional Info

Check in location is: Outdoor Supply Co., 2427 N Center St, Hickory, NC 28601

Captains Meeting : Thursday, May 18 on FB Live.

Foothills Kayak Anglers is the official event co-host. Follow them on Facebook!

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. CKA asks for proof of a valid license for anglers who win prizes.