When CKA expanded its portfolio of tournament offerings in 2023, we finally added a friendly, low-stakes on-line series for anglers to enjoy. And we added a little extra incentive: the anglers in the top two places would qualify for the CKA Tournament of Champions In this way, an angler who missed an event or two, or had a work schedule that conflicted with the main trail schedule could still qualify by another route.
And that is precisely what Will Lambert did in 2023. After missing some events, he was in danger of missing the CKA Tournament of Champions. But then he qualified through the on-line series, and went on to win the Tournament of Champions.
Will he do that again this season? We shall see.
This season, Lambert finished with 1,500” to take the points title, but it was a tight race to the end: only 36” separated fifth place from first place.
The distance between first and second places was a mere 14”. That spot was won by Lambert’s close friend Brooks Lanier, who now joins him as the second qualifier from the 20 for 24 series.
On beating a friend in the competition, Lambert told CKA:
“Anytime you can beat one of your best friends it means a little more. Especially when you have competed against someone like Brooks for years. The positive side of it is they push you to fish better and better. You want them to do well but it’s always nice to do that little better than they do.”
Again, Lanier is just the sort of angler we had in mind when we created the series. After welcoming a child to his family (congratulations again!!), Lanier was not sure if he would be able to fish our entire CKA schedule. And so he took the alternate route and fished the online series. Now, he has a ticket for the 2024 Tournament of Champions.
Lanier told CKA:
“Unfortunately finishing second is something I’m pretty used to, having finished second in six CKA regular season events, but finishing second to Will is something I’m just not very good at. It stings a little bit more and comes with a whole heaping helping of trash talking. I’ll be coming for him at Gate City Classic and TOC though!”
After placing second in the club’s Angler of the Year points race in 2023, he placed second in the club’s on-line series in 2024.
Will he earn a Tournament of Champions victory this season? Again, we shall see.
Or will it be Chris Gearhart? CKA will award trophies to the top three anglers for 20 for 24, and Gearhart placed third in the on-line series. While that does not earn him a spot in the Tournament of Champions, he is currently within qualifying range, prior to the Gate City Classic.
Join us at the awards ceremony for the Gate City Classic at Get Outdoors in Greensboro, NC, on September 21, to celebrate the season, crown new champions, distribute trophies and prizes and applaud the winners!
Additional Info
For complete 20 for 24 season standings: https://app.fishingchaos.com/club/hcdRny0qxmGvi5nnjxjR/tournament-series/mLIwKFcrAX3z3qACSoMj
Want to qualify for the Tournament of Champions? Win the Gate City Classic, and you are in!
Register here: https://app.fishingchaos.com/tournament/oRLDBbvEHIHMlADr4lHU
First published September 13, 2024.
All content and photos © Carolina Kayak Anglers LLC, 2024.
