The sport of kayak fishing has experienced substantial growth over the past decade, and in many aspects, the competitive side of the sport has been a catalyst and has helped get the sport to where it is today. Compared to fishing in traditional bass boat tournaments, the entry barriers to participation in kayak fishing tournaments are substantially smaller. When you add the ability to participate in online catch, photo, release tournaments, there are many opportunities for anglers to tournament fish from their kayak. Along with the growth in the USA market, international anglers are also getting more involved in the competitive kayak fishing scene, with countries such as Canada and Mexico at the forefront. With this growing trend and continual growth in the USA market as well as several other countries, USA Bass knew it was time to organize a world championship to bring together the top kayak anglers from across the globe to compete on one body of water to determine which country is the best.
For 2023 the stage is set, and from June 6-11, anglers from twelve countries will compete in the 2023 Kayak Fishing World Championship. The United States Angling Confederation and Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors' Bureau will host the 2023 FIPSED Kayak Fishing World Championship in Cookeville, Tennessee, on Center Hill Lake. Center Hill Reservoir was created in 1948 by the completion of Center Hill Dam on the Caney Fork River. The United States Army Corps of Engineers is the operating authority of Center Hill Reservoir. This reservoir lies within Dekalb, Putnam, Warren, and White counties in Tennessee and incorporates 18,220 surface acres of water, and is the largest of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes in Tennessee. Towns near Center Hill Reservoir include McMinnville, Smithville, and Cookeville. Center Hill Reservoir is characterized by rocky shorelines surrounded by steep ridges that display the beauty of this reservoir. Center Hill Reservoir has several gamefish such as crappie, walleye, bluegill, catfish, and black bass.
Representing Team USA is a talented and proven mix of kayak anglers. These anglers were hand-picked because of their success in recent years in past championshipes and the top kayak bass fishing tournament trails, including KBF, Bassmaster, and Hobie BOS. The team includes Eric Jackson, Kristine Fischer, Cody Milton, Damian Thao, Brian Nelli, Rus Snyders, Guillermo González, and Josh Stewart. From KBF National Champions, angler of the year, Bassmaster Champions, and Hobie Tournament of Champions, this team has competed and has seen success at the highest level. For more information, here is a LINK to the USA Bass website.
Nations Competing
- Canada
- Cuba
- El Salvador
- England
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Italy
- Mexico
- Philippines
- Romania
- Spain
- United States of America
Schedule of Events
June 10, 2023 Saturday
- 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Cane Creek Park in Cookeville, Tennessee
- Map to Cane Creek Park
- Youth coordinator contact Michael Brand
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
- 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Accreditation of Delegates - Cookeville Visitors Center
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Team Parade - Parade lineup begins at 3:30 at the Train Depot
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Ramp Tent: Captains Meeting (all competitors), Scoring App, ID Cards, Appointment of Jury
- 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Ramp Tent: Opening Ceremony, Opening Dinner, Symposium Speaker, Team Photos
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
- Official Practice 1 - Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area – Silver Point Ramp
- 6:30 AM Start fishing. (Subject to change)
- 2:30 PM End fishing - boat check in at ramp.
- 3:00 PM Captains Meeting at HQ Ramp Tent
- 6:00 PM Apex Watercraft Dinner ALL TEAMS INVITED - hosted at Olympian home of Eric Jackson
- 888 Powerhouse Rd, Walling, TN 38587
Thursday, June 8, 2023
- Official Practice 2 - Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area – Silver Point Ramp
- 6:30 AM Start fishing.
- 2:30 PM End fishing - boat check in at ramp.
- 2:30 PM Ramp BBQ Party for all teams
- 3:00 PM Captains Meeting at HQ Ramp Tent
Friday, June 9, 2023
- Competition Day 1 - Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area – Silver Point Ramp
- 6:30 AM Start fishing.
- 2:30 PM End fishing - boat check in at ramp.
- 3:00 PM Captains Meeting at HQ Ramp Tent
Saturday, June 10, 2023
- Competition Day 2 - Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area – Silver Point Ramp
- 6:30 AM Start fishing.
- 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Youth Day at Cane Creek Park
- 2:30 PM End fishing - boat check in at ramp.
- 3:00 PM Captains Meeting at HQ Ramp Tent
Sunday, June 11, 2023
- Competition Day 3 - Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area – Silver Point Ramp
- 6:30 AM Start fishing.
- 2:30 PM End fishing - boat check in at ramp.
- 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Ramp Tent: Awards Dinner and Medal Presentations