Well the First Annual Kayak Bass Fishing Texas Open is in the books and I have to say what a great time I had today. What a great way to raise money for Hero's on the Water-Texas Chapter. I think this had the largest payout ever in Texas for an individual Kayak Bass tournament. While the last two days open for pre fishing everyone went to sleep last night dreaming of how they could hit 95"+. The fish had other idea's for the guys and thats why we call it fishing lady's and gentlemen. The cool front decided to stall over night leaving us with a very humid morning and a hot rest of the day. The wind died down to make the fishing even tougher. After getting all the fishermen out we helped Blake (rep/aka grill master) with Wilderness Systems get his tent and demo kayaks setup then we hit the water to wet a line for a couple of hours. As we paddled around it was looking like today was going to be a lot tougher than the last two days. We got a little rain and a little wind but the fish remained tight lipped. As 2pm approached the guys started to trickle in and at 2pm their time was up.

First up was Big Bass going to Mark Seay at 22.50" taking home the Big Bass Pot.

Out of 30 kayakers
1st place goes to Ryan Herzog taking home cash, a Wilderness Systems kayak, Kistler KLX Rod, and a HOOK1 gift certificate
2nd place goes to Walter Walker Nelson cash and HOOK1 gift certificate
3rd place goes to Kevin Jackson cash and HOOK1 gift certificate
4th place goes to Austin Gisclair cash and HOOK1 gift certificate

Congrats guys great job on a tough day.

I would like to recognize our sponsors because with out them it would not have the same effect.
- Wilderness Systems giving a kayak to the 1st place winner
- Kistler Rods giving a rod for the 1st place winner and a rod for the HOW raffle
- HOOK1 for giving each of our winners gift certificates
- Austin Conoe and Kayak for giving a kayak for the HOW raffle
- Mariner Sails for various items for the HOW raffle
- Nelson Custom Rods
- Ram Mounting Systems for giving multiple mounting kits for the HOW raffle
- SuperNova Fishing Lights for giving a light kit for the HOW raffle
- Yak Attack for giving a custom BlackPak for the HOW raffle
- Lake Naconiche Cablins for giving each regions biggest bass a 3 day two night stay and a 3 day two night stay for the HOW raffle
- TFO Rods for the HOW raffle Thank you Alan Sladek for arranging that
- Driftwood Lures for giving 15 crank baits Thank you again Alan for arranging this also
- Majestik Industries for a $500 donation to HOW

Guys please take time to Thank each of these great companies. Because of these great companies and everyone's giving we were able to raise $1,566.00!!!! Great job to everyone!!!!!!

I would also like to Thank Shaun Russell and Tom Stubblefield for your support in helping with this instead of fishing. It was much appreciated. Also Thank You to Autumn Villanueva for taking pictures and Mike Garcia for taking video.

Walker!!!!!!

Very nice. Congrats man. Way to represent.

Man what a great time I had. Bobby you did a excellent job running the tourney. It was my pleasure to be able to help out. It was great to meet new Kayakers from the Austin area, and also to shake hands with those I've known from the forms only. It was kinda weird weather but hey, that's why we all love this sport so much.
Congratulations to all the winners and the sponsors that made this possiable. I'll be looking forward to next years open!

Congrats to the winners. Walker awesome job man, way to represent the dfw guys!!!!!!!

Nicely done all and congrats Walker

Congrats dudes! WWAALLKKKEERR!!!!!!......nice
What's all the 65279?
Winning inches ?
Really wish I could have fished this.

Congrats to the winners. Walker you're a stud! I understand the difference between 1st and 2nd was only 1/4 of an inch...

Might seem weird since I wasn't at this but thanks Bobby and everyone else who put this on. I know it was a lot of work and time but the idea of a Texas 'Championship' at a lake that's neutral for the 4 big metro areas is AWESOME. Next year I will definitely be at this one!

Thanks Bobby and Shaun! It was a great event and great hanging out with everyone.

Walker and I talked a bit after it was all said an done and we agreed that it was nice for both of us to get a little redemption from last October when we both skunked at North vs South at Ivie.

Also.......we also crowned the first ever Kayak Bass Fishing Ice cream eating champion. Congrats Mr. Russell on your delicious victory!

Thanks guys!

Tourney aside I had a great time catching up with everyone from around TX...I cant say enough good things about Bobby and Shaun's work into this...The sponsors offered up some incredible packages and I was honored to be one of them...Great job on raising money for HOW!
A big shout out to Alan Sladek....Alan was killing it on prefishing days and boated some NICE fish!He also provided some awesome hospitality at the cabin....Dude can rock a tiny grill!

Ryan you're a beast dude! Looking forward to fishing with you again and congrats on 1st!!

and yes, I missed it but Shaun brought home the first ever ice cream eating contest in a kayak event!

Congrats to the top three finalists...one each from Austin, Dallas and Houston areas. Sounds like the beginning of some good ole regional kayak bass fishing rivalries!

Congrats to the winners and all that fished the event. Really wish I could have made it. Looking forward to making it next year. Great job guys!

awesome job to the folks that fished/won and the folks that hosted it!!

Where was it held?

It was held at Houston County Lake just outside Crockett, TX.

Congrats Walker!! Sounds like it was a lot of fun