The Ontario Kayak Bass Trail is a competitive tournament bass series for the kayak anglers in Ontario. It is run by anglers for anglers to provide an opportunity for kayak anglers to participate in top level tournaments yet still be able to enjoy the day with other like-minded anglers.
The OKBT was conceived in 2017 when it was decided it was time for Ontario to have a competitive kayak bass series. While there are many tournament organizations and series available to the kayak angling community in the USA, the opportunity for a competitive kayak bass series did not exist in Ontario and many of the local Ontario anglers were heading south to compete. After participating in numerous events in the USA, we saw what worked and what did not work, what the anglers liked and what they did not like. From these events we took the best practices and procedures and used these to develop the framework of the OKBT.
In 2018 the series consisted of three events on Balsam Lake, the Otonabee River and Lake St Clair. Almost immediately the response was positive with anglers joining the series page and inquiring about the events. All three events were very well attended with an average of 36 anglers at each event. The first year was a season of determining how the series would be accepted and by all the feedback, a bass only kayak series was needed and wanted in Ontario. 2019 saw the OKBT grow to 4 events, add an Angler of the Year award, and grow to average 44 anglers per event. 2019 also saw the addition of online Monthly Challenges to the OKBT schedule. In 2020 the OKBT held 4 events again with participation growing to an average of 64 anglers per event despite the turbulent times we faced. As the new season is upon us, the OKBT sees even more growth ahead. With 5 events planned for the 2021 season and 4 online challenges it is going to be a busy season.
The OKBT is continuing to promote the growth of kayak angling and kayak tournament fishing in Ontario, and we look forward to this growth. We are spreading out to new parts of the province and we take great effort in trying to develop schedules that allow new and diverse fisheries to be experienced each season. We are continually looking at ways to improve upon the current product to make the angler experience even better. The OKBT invites you to come out and see for yourself why the Ontario Kayak Bass Trail is the premier kayak bass series in Ontario