Topwater Series Kayak Bass Tournaments expand to Southwest Michigan

Kayak fisherman

Kayak anglers of all skill levels are invited to fish in the Topwater Kayak Series SW Sunday Fall Bass League, with nine weekly tournaments starting Sunday, September 11. Corey and Harwood lakes provide the first venue.

The schedule takes competitors to a different Southwest Michigan lake each Sunday afternoon, with tournament hours from noon to 4 p.m. Entry fee is $35 and payout is 100 percent. Five dollars of each entry fee will be reserved and awarded to the three anglers who accumulate the most Angler of the Year points in their top seven of the nine tournaments.

The kayak tournaments feature a “catch-photo-release” format wherein anglers use the free Topwater Tracker app to photograph their fish on a measuring board immediately after they catch it. The competitor then releases the fish and submits the photos through the app. Competitors and others can monitor the standings in real time on the topwaterseries.com website.

“The whole idea behind our Topwater League Series is to provide a fun, competitive atmosphere for guys and gals who want to compete, even if they have no tournament experience at all,” said Topwater Series co-founder Mike Anderson. “That’s why we have low entry fees and an 8-inch size limit for fish submissions. We also welcome younger anglers who can fish with a parent or guardian—in separate kayaks.”

The Grand Rapids-based Topwater organization has facilitated leagues since 2019. Currently there are 10 regional leagues in Michigan, including the new SW Sunday League and a similar new league in Southeast Michigan. Rules are along the lines of most boat tournaments, with artificial lures only, no trolling and only one line in the water. Anglers may paddle, pedal or use an electric motor on their kayaks. Incidentally, the name of the organization has nothing to do with what kinds of lures are allowed—anglers may throw any lure they wish and aren’t limited to top-water lures.

The events will be limited to the first 35 anglers who sign up on the topwaterseries.com website. For a complete set of rules and more information, join the Topwater Series Facebook page and check out the www.topwaterseries.com site.

Schedule