Event #1 – Cayuga Lake

The first Elite Kayak Fishing event of 2023 will take place on May 6 on Cayuga Lake, the second largest of New York’s eleven glacial Finger Lakes.

This diverse fishery offers amazing opportunities for trophy bass, both largemouth and smallmouth. With thirty-eight miles of water to choose from, anglers of all types will be able find whatever suits their fishing style.

OFFICIAL RESULTS CAN BE FOUND HERE.

EVENT INFORMATION

Entry Fee: $130.00
Optional Double Down Entry Fee: $120.00
Tournament Format: CPR (catch-photo-release)
Minimum Length: 12.00 inches
Number of Fish: 5-fish limit

The optional Double Down entry fee is a winner-takes-all side pot. The angler with the biggest limit who also doubled down (paid an additional $120) wins the entire pot!

EVENT HQ/CHECK-IN/AWARDS CEREMONY

Location: TBD

FRIDAY, MAY 5

Pre-fishing Deadline: 4:00 PM
Registration Deadline: 5:00 PM
Virtual Captain’s Meeting: 6:00 PM
Identifier Code Release: 8:00 PM

The virtual captain’s meeting will be posted on our Facebook and YouTube pages and the links will be e-mailed to all competitors by 6 PM Friday evening.

SATURDAY, MAY 6

Earliest Launch: 6:45 AM
Competition Start (Lines In): 7:00 AM
Competition End (Lines Out): 3:00 PM
Photo Upload Deadline: 4:00 PM
Awards Ceremony: 5:15 PM

RULES

To help promote consistency in kayak bass fishing competition nationwide, Elite Kayak Fishing has adopted Kayak Bass Fishing‘s Competition Rules Standards, with some changes.

You can find KBF’s rules here on the KBF website, with our addendums listed here on our webpage.

ELIGIBLE WATER

Launch from any public-access launch point contiguous with eligible water. Boundaries include the entirety of the lake, including all tributaries as far as one may paddle/float to the first impassible barrier (i.e. dam, waterfall, etc).

Use this interactive map for event and launch boundaries (works best on a computer, use Ctrl+Mouse Wheel to zoom in/out).

APPROVED MEASURING DEVICE

You may use one of three approved measuring devices, all made by Ketch Products: the original Ketch Board, the Ketch X board, or the Ketch Karbonate board.

Anglers using any other measuring device will have their fish denied.

TOURNAMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

We will be using the Fishing Chaos platform to manage our events. Anglers are required to have an account with them and download the app.

There are two pricing plans available—monthly and annual—or you can opt to pay a small event fee instead.

Our events will also be professionally handled and judged by Reel Tournament Management.

IDENTIFIER

The four-digit identifier code will go live on Fishing Chaos at 8 PM on Friday night. The code must be written on either an EKF tin tag identifier card (order here, choose EKF from the drop-down menu), our generic identifier card (download here), or an official KBF identifier card (download here).

Identifier codes written on anything else will result in a denied entry.

FISHING LICENSE

All competitors are required to have a valid state fishing license. Purchase one online at this location.

QUALIFICATION

Competitors who place in the top 5 at any regular-season EKF event or finish in the top 50 in the Angler of the Year race during our first five regular-season events qualify for the two-day Championship in October.

Competitors who finish in the top 10% in the overall Angler of the Year race (which includes the championship) and are also Kayak Bass Fishing (KBF) members prior to the event will qualify to compete in the KBF National Championship.

ANGLER OF THE YEAR POINTS

Max Points: 600
Decrement: 6

Click here to see how our points system works.

CASH PRIZES

Payouts equal 100% of net entry fees (gross entry fees less a $15.00 admin fee per angler, which goes toward credit card processing fees, judging fees, permit fees, venue rental costs, trophies, etc.)

For a full rundown of our series and Double Down payout structures, click here.

RESULTS & PRIZE PAYOUT

All announced results are unofficial until after the 24-hour dispute window closes and all disputes have been resolved. EKF will then distribute payments via check to the address provided during event registration.

REFUNDS

For a full refund (less credit card processing fees), cancellations must be received no later than the Friday before the event.

EKF is not responsible for any refunds of expenses related to travel or lodging reservations or other payments involving third parties.

TOURNAMENT QUESTIONS

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us here.