ACA Kayak Fishing Instructor, Drew Gregory (right), presented trophy by ACA Instructor, Rus Snyders (left), for winning the 2024 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmasters Kayak Series Championship
With a two-day total of ten bass measuring 180.50 inches, ACA Kayak and Kayak Fishing Instructor Drew Gregory wins the 2024 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship. Gregory collected $25,000, part of a $56,350 total cash purse split among the Top 16 anglers in the tournament. In all, 164 competitors representing 30 states and Canada took part. Rus Snyders, the 2023 Champion and also an ACA Instructor presented the trophy to Gregory on a stage that nobody in kayak fishing would have thought possible only five years ago; the Bassmaster Classic Stage.
Drew discussed that one of his key competitive advantages in the field of kayak anglers was that he had dialed in efficient outfitting, trim and weight distribution on his kayak so that he could maximize the efficiency of his motor and combine it with powerful paddling when required.
“This was critical in helping me get up the river through those shallow swift sections to get up to some of my fish. It was so challenging that often I had to paddle as hard as I could, with proper paddling form (using your core) to make it. If you don’t have that kayak or one very similar, and with that motor, and have the ability to read water and use a good paddle (Bending Branches Angler Pro) and paddling form you don’t make it, period.”
He followed that up by encouraging other anglers to come to the upcoming ACA training he and ACA Paddlesports Angler instructors will be offering at the Kayak Adventure Series.
“Also, be sure to look for some ACA courses soon on the Sundays after the Kayak Adventure Series presented by GoPro events from some of the biggest names in the sport because learning how to paddle, with proper form, has helped me have more success on the water as much as ANYTHING, but for some reason it is very overlooked even though it is what also helps keep you safe and ALIVE!”
The event was hosted by Explore Cherokee County, Oklahoma, Tour Tahlequah and the Greater Tenkiller Area Association. Official results for the tournament can be found here.
The sport of kayak fishing has evolved in many different ways: pedal drives, diverse design in layout and performance of kayaks for river fishing and big open water. With leaders in the sport like Rus Snyders and Drew Gregory teaching the fundamentals of what is still at its core a paddlesport, kayak fishing will continue to evolve in ways that other modalities of paddlecraft can respect and encourage.
Read more about it in Drew’s own words in his Facebook post.
Hear Drew talk about his championship fishing techniques in the Hooked: The Anglers Resource Podcast: Bassmaster Classic 2024 Champion Drew Gregory (youtube.com)
For ACA Instructors and Instructor Trainers who are interested in earning the ACA Paddlesports Angler Instructor Endorsement, more information is available at the link below:
https://americancanoe.org/aca-fishing-endorsement-gaining-momentum-recruiting-kayak-angling-leaders-as-aca-instructors/
As reported by:
Men’s Journal: Kayak Bass Fishing: How Serious Are You? – Men’s Journal | Bass Fishing (mensjournal.com)
Wired2Fish: Gregory Wins 2024 Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship – Wired2Fish
The Basscast: Gregory takes Kayak Series Championship victory at Tenkiller | The Bass Cast