The 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft will kickoff on Florida’s Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Feb. 7-8.
Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.
Jan. 30, 2026
Kayak Series’ return to Kissimmee Chain should be spawn showdown
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — For the second year in a row, the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft will be visiting the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes during the spawning time. How good fishing is will depend on the weather.
Tournament days are scheduled for Feb. 7-8 with home base located in Kissimmee, Fla. Anglers will be able to launch from any approved public landing on the chain in this catch-weigh-release event. The Top 5 finishers will punch their ticket to the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft, and all anglers will earn points toward the Pro-Guide Batteries Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race.
This will be the third time the Kayak Series has visited Central Florida. Last February, the weather worked in the anglers’ favor. Multiple 100-inch bags were recorded both days of the event, and Sherman Bishop took home the title with 204.75 total inches.
While not as vast as last year, the playing field for this event is quite large. Kissimmee, Toho, Hatchineha, Tiger and Cypress are the give legal fisheries for this tournament, and all five have the potential to produce winning stringers.
Early February is prime time to catch bass that have moved up to spawn in the warm Florida waters, but there is always the chance that a cold front will move through the week of the tournament. Lower temperatures would result in a much tougher bite, while a warming trend should get the bass moving toward the shallows and their spawning grounds.
A variety of vegetation plays a role throughout the Kissimmee Chain. In Lake Toho, consistent hydrilla growth has been noticeable, a promising sign for anglers who enjoy fishing offshore grass. Kissimmee grass, lily pads, hyacinth and eelgrass are spread out throughout the rest of the lakes.
If a cold front does come through, those hyacinth mats will become important pieces of cover to target.
Expect the classic Florida staples to play once again. Texas-rigged Yamamoto Senkos, Z-Man ChatterBaits, Zoom Speed Worms and creature baits will likely produce important bites, as will lipless crankbaits, Carolina rigs and jerkbaits.
Scoring for the week will be available via TourneyX.
The Kissimmee Sports Commission is hosting the event.
2026BassmasterKayakSeries Title Sponsor: Newport
2026BassmasterKayak Series Presenting Sponsor: Native Watercraft
2026BassmasterKayak SeriesAngler of the Year Sponsor: Pro-Guide Batteries