The Ontario Kayak Bass Trail started the season with their first event on Lake Nipissing, specifically the West Bay and West Arm area of the lake. And what a day it was compared to the season opener on the same area last year. Clear skies, light winds, and warm temperatures great the 135 anglers that made the trek up to the Sturgeon Falls and Lavigne area of the lake.
The day started quickly as bass were hitting the leaderboard early, and this didn’t let up through the day. By the halfway point of the event, it could be seen that it was going to be a tight race to the finish. Adam Blackmore had the lead for while in the morning as other anglers jockeyed behind him for position. Ian IW Hodgkins and Ryan Tyler, first and second place respectively from last years event, started moving up the leaderboard. Tyler Warner decided to show up as well and before you knew it Kris Totosko was posting his fish and was right in the hunt. Before the board shut down for the last hour of the event it was anyone’s day to win as the scores were close.
As the event concluded and we met up for the awards at the Lavigne Community Center it was alot closer that realized when the leaderboard was looked at. After a couple of late fish, Kris Totosko took the win with 94.00”. Kris seems to have found the juice as he is starting of on his winning ways after a very successful 2023 season. In second place was newcomer and local angler Joel Rainville of Sturgeon falls with 92.50”. Following up in third place was Michael Mike Morand with 92.50” who lost on the tiebreaker to Joel. Big Bass of the event also went to Joel with a 20.25” smallmouth.
1st Place – Kris Totosko – 94.00”
2nd Place – Joel Rainville- 92.50”
3rd Place – Michael Morand- 92.50”
Big Bass – Joel Rainville – 20.25”
Congratulations to all that participated. It was great day all around and couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season. In total. 609 fish were submitted and judged, and I am sure a lot more caught that weren’t submitted. It also took a score of 80” to just break the top 50 for the day. Some pretty impressive numbers for sure.
A thanks you goes out to the LCC for hosting the awards once again and to the West Bay Cottages, Joli Voyaguer Resort, Glen Rock Cottages and the other area businesses that once again welcomed us to the area.
And as always we have to thank the sponsors of the OKBT for their continued support.
Next event for the OKBT will be on June 22 on Lake St Clair. See you all there.
