Poplar Bluff closed a successful weekend as it hosted Kayak Adventure Series’ first Ozarkana event.
This kayak fishing tournament is filled with days of being out in the wilderness catching fish, but also protecting the environment.
“Chasing the wild,” is Kayak Adventure Series’ motto and it’s filled by helping anglers get the most out of their kayaks by exploring new regions and waters all while being competitive and catching that big fish, according to organizers.
KAS had a five-fish limit across a two-day event. Largemouth bass dominated the first day of catches, organizers said.
Going into the event, the Current River was closed due to high waters from recent rains. Organizers said there were advantages to the receding high waters in that kayakers were among the first fishermen to return to local waters after a break.
“It’s been an awesome time here,” said founder Drew Gregory in messages to participants, while also thanking them for spending their time and money joining this series. “This place is really special. You’ve got lakes, rivers, creeks, funky wilderness areas... It’s really exciting to see how this is going to get won.”
Gregory said one of the draws of this area was that there were so many good places to put in and fish.
“This event literally is a coin flip,” Gregory shared early in the event. “Everyone you talk to has a different opinion, between the rain from the tropical storm and how many different places could potentially be a winning spot, still water and moving water. It makes it super exciting.”
For the angler who took the top spot, Jonathan Dominguez, a local pond turned out to be the perfect spot. His total catch was 93.50-inches.
“I went Friday for the 3-7 p.m. fish,” he said. “There were two other contestants there, but it stayed strong and I said, ‘Why not.’ I came back Saturday, they were back too, stuck around until noon and it turned out to be a success.”
Robert Swearngin was one of the top 10 anglers of the weekend with 81.50-inches it total catches, but just missed it out on the top spot.
“Bass boaters were being jerks. Ended up catching a fish right under their motor. It was great. However, a devastation happened today. Caught it on video, at 3:02 p.m., I caught a 19.50-inch fish two minutes after cut-off time,” he said.
Participants were asked to pick up trash found along the water during the event. Missouri Stream Team bags were provided to participants and cash gift cards were awarded to people who collected the highest quantity or most unique trash.
“We’re trying to leave every area better than we found it,” Gregory said. “Just showing this community and showing you guys, setting an example for everybody out there.”
Washing machines and lost kayaks were among the items participants spotted on waterways during the event.
The closing ceremony was held Saturday evening at the historic Rodgers Theatre. A festival was held in Downtown Poplar Bluff prior to the closing ceremony. Other events were held Thursday through Friday at Haffy’s Sports Bar & Grill.
Other area businesses were promoted and visited by participants who came to Poplar Bluff for the event.
Gregory hopes to see momentum from these types of events continue to grow.
Winners of the weekend were:
Glenda Celestin, first place, Micro Bag Division, Lady Angler Division winner, Average Joe winner
Logan Dupuy, third place, Micro Bag Division, Crescent Kids winner
X2 Team Division
Dink Destroyers, Wyatt Yarbrough and Cody Jones, first place with 182.50 inches
Gang Gang, Sam Cox and Luther Turner, second place with 164 inches
OG River Champions, Lance Coley and Tim Perkins, third place with 160.75 inches
Top 10 Anglers of the Weekend
Jonathan Dominguez, 93.50 inches; Chad Davidson, 92.50 inches; Lance Cole, 86.75 inches; Sam Cox, 84.75 inches; Tyler Cokley, 83.25 inches; Mike Keafer, 82.50 inches; Steve Baker, 82.25 inches; Robert Swearngin, 81.50 inches; Ted Yates, 80.50 inches; and Benjamin Amundsen, 80 inches.