The second Elite Kayak Fishing event of 2023 will take place on June 3 on the world-renowned Lake Champlain.
With monster largemouth and smallmouth caught year-round, from the northern tip in Canada to the southern reaches over one hundred miles away, anglers will find everything they’re looking for on this massive and majestic body of water.
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: Delta Hotels by Marriott in Burlington, VT (click here for directions)
They have set aside some rooms for us, with double beds, at a discounted rate ($199). Use this link to reserve a room.
There will also be food provided (pork sliders with maple poppy slaw and Vermont pepper-jack cheese) and a cash bar at the awards.
FRIDAY, JUN 2
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, JUN 3
Earliest Launch: 5:30 AM
Competition Start (Lines In): 6:00 AM
Competition End (Lines Out): 2:00 PM
Photo Upload Deadline: 3:00 PM
Awards Ceremony: 4:15 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 Malletts Bay out to the Lake Champlain Causeway, plus all Vermont waters north and east of Route 2, all the way up to the Canadian border, including all tributaries as far as one may paddle/float to the first impassible barrier (i.e. dam, waterfall, etc).
The Gut, Pelots Bay, Carry Bay and the Allburg Passage are also in bounds.
All Canadian water is off limits.
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. Lake Champlain has a reciprocal license agreement with Vermont and New York, which means a valid license from either state allows you to fish most of the lake.
However, as boundaries for this event are strictly in Vermont waters, all competitors are ***required*** to have a Vermont 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.