Kentucky Lake

The Hobie Bass Open once again returns for its seventh straight year to Kentucky Lake! This is where it all started for the series as a single annual event, and we’re excited to bring the series back to crown a new champion of Kentucky Lake! Following tradition, this year’s champion will qualify to compete in the most prestigious international kayak fishing tournament in the world, the Hobie Fishing Worlds 10, plus take home a large check and some awesome prizes Cash and prizes from our amazing sponsors will be awarded to many anglers, whether it’s in the form of a top finish or out of pure luck in our raffle.

Kentucky and Barkley Lakes are the culmination of two of the biggest and most notable river systems in the southeast offering deep and shallow water fishing opportunities for anglers, especially this time of year. Anglers can catch Largemouth, Smallmouth and Kentucky Spotted Bass on both fisheries with plenty of opportunities to catch personal best trophies.

This year, due to COVID-19 and the threat of the coronavirus, the logistics of the event will be different compared previous years. For the safety of our competitors, and everyone involved with the event, we will have no official meetings or gatherings, but instead everything will be run digitally. We ask that anglers do not gather in large groups after hours and respect the precautions we as a community are having to take in order to allow this event to happen. We will have more information and guidelines for how we have to operate during this time coming soon, including a mandatory COVID-19 waiver that all participants will need to read and sign. This event will be a model for how events will be run during this pandemic and we are relying on staff, volunteers, and our anglers to showcase that we CAN still have these events all over the country, within our format.

We can’t wait to crown a new champion, qualify another angler for Hobie Worlds and most importantly get back to hosting competitive events for our amazing anglers.

Timeline: All times are Central Standard Time

June 8th- Official practice period begins.  Anglers can no longer use motorized fishing boats on tournament waters.  Motorized kayaks, if legally registered, will be allowed during practice only.

June 11th- Registration Ends at 11pm CST.  Anglers must be registered and have the all waivers turned back into to Hobie. Registration at the Drive thru Check- in will not be available.

*NOTE: Registration is ending Thursday (one day earlier than we usual) so do not miss out! Registration is CLOSED on Friday!

*Detailed check-in instructions and waivers will be provided closer to the event date.

June 12th 

4:00 PM – Practice ends

4:30 – 6:30 PM – Mandatory Drive thru check-in and board check at tournament HQ

7:00 PM – Virtual Safety and info meeting

June 13th

5:00 AM – First launch

5:30 AM – First cast

3:00 PM – Fishing ends

4:00 PM – Submission Deadline

4:30 – 6:30 PM – Drive thru Check-in, ID pickup

7:00 PM – Virtual Meeting

June 14th

5:00 AM – First launch

5:30 AM – First cast

3:00 PM – Fishing ends

4:00 PM – Submission Deadline

5:00 PM – Virtual awards with top 10% present

Drive thru Headquarters will be the Kentucky Dam Village Marina and Ramp parking Lot.

Tournament Boundaries:
Anglers can enjoy launching at any PUBLIC ACCESS or PUBLIC RAMP on Kentucky and Barkley lakes. The launching boundaries for KY Lake will extend from the Dam all the way south to the I40 Bridge. The launching boundaries for Lake Barkley will extended from the Dam south to the US79 Bridge in Dover TN.  Anglers CAN fish beyond the launching boundaries, but must launch and land in bounds. Any disconnected body of water in Land Between the Lakes will be considered off limits unless an angler can launch lake side and paddle or pedal into that area.

Lodging info:  Kentucky Dam Village has been closed throughout the Pandemic, we would love to give back and help them get the season started right. Please check their variety of offerings before booking elsewhere.

Kentucky Dam Village Phone
(270)362-4271
Group code: 3343 (necessary to receive discount)

Accommodation Rates:
Wed/Thur/Sun
1 BR Cottage 99.95
2 BR Ctg (sm) $119.95
Lodge Rooms $79.95

Fri/Sat
1 BR Cottage $119.95
2 BR Ctg (sm) $139.95
Lodge Rooms $94.95

Camping- As of now Camping in KY is scheduled to open June 11th. If you are camping longer, you may evaluate opportunities in TN before the KY opening date.