The Battle on the Border

2025 Battle on the Border

Stay tuned for more details!

History

In 2019, Carolina Kayak Anglers (CKA) paired with Virginia Kayak Bass Challenge (VKBC) for a friendly rivalry event between Virginia and North Carolina. We called it the Battle on the Border, and nearly 100 kayak anglers fished the event on Kerr Lake in July of that year. The prize? Bragging rights, and a trophy to prove it.

The spirit of camaraderie was strong that day and the two clubs decided to make the event an annual tradition. Additionally, the tournament is open to all kayak anglers regardless of state or club affiliation.

The 2020 Battle on the Border was held again at Kerr Lake but moved to October to become a “last hurrah” at the end of our tournament seasons. The event expanded to include a 3^rd organization: Central Carolina Kayak Fishing (CCKF).

The 2021 edition of the tournament was made possible with the generous assistance of the Vance County Tourism Bureau. Additionally, 2 more clubs (Virginia Kayak Trail [VKT] and Bass Cast Kayak Series [BCKS]) from Virginia joined for the 2021 edition, which was held on Kerr lake on October 23^rd, 2021.

The 2022 edition of the Battle on the Border was held on October 8, 2022. The participating clubs were CKA, CCKF and VKT. Carolina Paddle Sports Outfitters and Dakota Lithium Batteries sponsored the top prizes. North Carolina won the event for the first time, sweeping the top three spots.

The Battle on the Border by celebrated its fifth anniversary on October 14, 2023. The tournament was sponsored by Carolina Paddle Sports Outfitters. The 2023 edition also added a new prize and two new clubs to the event. In the first place, Virginia Kayak Anglers Elite!!! [VKAE] sponsored the new multi-species prize pot. Additionally,Foothills Kayak Anglers, based in the North Carolina Piedmont, joined the event. The addition of the two new clubs brought the total of actively participating clubs to six for the 2023 event (three from N.C. and three from VA). Virginia anglers swept the top three spots.

The 2024 edition expanded to include eight clubs, with North Carolina’s Port City Kayak Anglers (PCKA) and Virginia’s Smallie Chaser River Bassin’ joining the roster! Held on November 2, 2024, at Kerr Lake, the trophy returned to North Carolina for the second time.

As in previous years, Vance County Tourism co-sponsored the event. For complete event standings, click on the years in the list below!

Past Champions

2024: Will Lambert, VA

2023: Jason Hensley (VA)

2022: Eric Nelson (NC)

2021: Jason Hensely (VA)

2020: Nathan Green (VA)

2019: Tim Sabella (SC)

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About the Lake

Kerr Lake is a massive reservoir located on the Roanoke River on the North Carolina/Virginia border. It is northeast of Falls Lake, minutes from I-85, and scenic nearby towns include Oxford, N.C. The lake is one of the region’s premier Largemouth Bass, Catfish and Striped Bass fisheries. It covers more than 77 surface miles of water. In sum, Kerr is one of the largest impoundments on the Southeast, and will challenge anglers to break down big water. Want to test your skills against a massive lake? This is it.

The lake has dozens of public boat ramps and marinas, as well as affordable camping. If you camp at the lake, be sure your campsite is open to the public and that it allows 24 hour access, so you can get out in the morning to fish.

For a list of park managed launches and NC Wildlife launches, see this link: https://www.ncparks.gov/kerr-lake-state-recreation-area/activities

Please be sure to obtain a valid N.C. fishing license. North Carolina has a license reciprocity agreement with Virginia for Kerr Lake, so you can fish the Virginia side with your N.C. license, and vice-versa.

Event Boundaries and Rules