Let’s DO IT!
The Aftco Kentucky Lake Event hosted by Visit Kentucky Lake
Round 5 of the Hobie Bass Open Series Anchored by Power-Pole takes us back to Kentucky and Barkley Lakes! Anglers will be spread out on these historic and sentimental fisheries that are formed by the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers and their amazing tributaries! These lakes will provide our anglers a post-spawn and pre-summer pattern bite where both Largemouth and Smallmouth can expect to be aggressive, hungry and caught in a variety of different ways.
Kentucky Lake is the birthplace of the Hobie BOS and has a rich history for our series and kayak fishing. These communities have been ravaged by challenges over the years and rely on tourism to survive. I hope we can all come together to give this community the returned love and support they have shown us as well as showcase the resurgence and potential of the lakes!
Dealer Support: Hitec Outdoors; 3243 US-68, Benton, KY 42025; 270-527-1900
Event Headquarters: Kentucky Dam Village Conference Center; Dam Village State resort park, Gilbertsville, KY 42044
In order to support the host communities that support us, we encourage our anglers to stay, eat, and shop within the North Kentucky Lake area! Make sure to tell everyone you are there for the Hobie Bass Open Kayak tournament! Check with KY Dam Village for the best pricing on Lodge/ Lake view rooms and cabins!
Up to a maximum capacity of 225 anglers will be competing for a cash payout to 15% of the field and the top 3 non-qualified anglers will earn their spot in the 2023 Tournament of Champions (TOC) that will be on Lake Chickamauga in Dayton, TN.
The TOC is a 3-day, 60 angler Championship that saw a $100,000 payout in 2022!
If Maximum capacity is reached, anglers can use the waitlist feature on TourneyX to get inline if any spots become available.
All BOS questions can be sent to:
BOS@Hobie.com
Tournament Director- AJ Mcwhorter
Event Media Extraordinaire – Steve Fields
Official Schedule- All times are CST.
April 20th -12/ noon EST Registration Opens
April 29th- Off- limits begins- Anglers are no longer allowed on the eligible waters in any capacity. Hiring, communicating, or receiving information from guides is no longer allowed through the end of the event.
Off Limit Clarification- Due to the physical limitations on these enormous waterways set by the legal ramp access used for this event, Anglers can still fish the following areas of KY and Barkley During the Off-Limits period if they would like.
Ky Lake- Anglers can launch at and fish south of the Danville Ferry (Road 147) in kayak or boat during the off-limits period. No portion of Big Sandy or anything above the Danville Ferry is available.
Barkley Lake/ Cumberland River- Anglers can Launch at and fish up river (East) of the Cumberland City Ferry (Road 233) in kayak or boats during the off- limits period.
May 5th- Refund Process ends at 6pm CST. This is the last opportunity to request a partial refund (70%). No refunds will be processed after this date.
May 12th – Registration/ waitlist window closes at 6pm CST if not already capped at 225. Anglers will receive a practice email from BOS Officials to their Tourney-X registered email.
May 13th- Official practice window begins. Anglers are now allowed to access the waters, but must be in a kayak and follow all practice rules. Motors are allowed for practice only. Receiving and gathering info is allowed as long as the info isn’t paid or bartered for and the source is not a guide.
May 19th-
4pm- Practice Window Ends/ Off the water
550pm- All anglers must be in attendance.
6pm- Anglers’ meeting will begin.
630pm- After the meeting concludes, anglers will lineup to get their board checked and their IDs for both days. At this time we will randomly award 30 prizes from our great sponsors.
– If anglers can’t attend the Friday night events, they are still responsible for coordinating with the director, getting their Ketch board checked, receiving event IDs and being aware of everything covered during the meeting.
May 20th-
5:00 am- Pedal/ Paddle off
5:30 am- Fishing begins
2:00 pm- Fishing ends
3:00 pm- Submission deadline
8:00 pm- Facebook Live meeting and Day 2 ID code Announcement
May 21st-
5:00 am- Pedal/ Paddle off
5:30 am- Fishing begins
2:00 pm- Fishing ends
3:00 pm- Submission deadline
4:30 pm- Live Awards at HQ. Anglers are welcome.
Event Boundaries:
Anglers are allowed to fish any legal and connected body of water or portion of Kentucky and Barley Lakes and its tributaries as long as they launch AND land from the published launches and follow all BOS rules in accessing water. Anglers are not allowed to wade or portage in this event.
Published launches:
Anglers must use launches from the Official list to launch and land on competition days. Anglers must follow the rules of the facility they use. Some ramps and locations have published hours that are not reflective of event hours. This is a live map and running list. It is subject to updates at any time and will be announced to the field. Participants are expected to help this list stay up to date through communication with the TD as they learn additional details through local knowledge, map study and time during pre-fishing. Link is below.
The Hobie BOS requires a Metal Ketch Board for competition. Anglers are expected to have and provide their own board.
Anglers must have a valid fishing License before they get on tournament waters.
