Spawning will be on the minds of the largemouth when kayak anglers arrive on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes for the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Kissimmee Chain presented by Native Watercraft on Feb. 1-2.
The question will be: Are conditions optimal for a bedfishing bonanza? Competitors will launch from any approved public access on the fishery in this catch-measure-release-style tournament. The top finishers will claim a spot in the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series National Championship, and all anglers will earn points toward the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race.
The chain, anchored by Lake Toho, is known for big bass and big bags, and pro angler Bobby Bakewell believes this event will be no different.
“The Kissimmee Chain is good all year,” the Orlando native said. “There is more offshore grass to work with, so the cold fronts don’t affect that bite as much. But the Kissimmee Chain has been fishing well lately. When that chain is popping, it is really popping.”
As with every early-season event in Florida, weather conditions will determine just how good the fishing will be during this event. A new moon is expected a couple of days before the tournament, which will send the bass toward the bank if warm conditions are present.
If a cold front comes through, however, the bass will be less likely to head to their spawning grounds, which will make the Florida-strain largemouth finicky.
“Wind will definitely be a factor,” Bakewell added.
While there are plenty of bass throughout the system, Bakewell anticipates Lake Toho will garner much of the attention for one main reason: lots of hydrilla.
“It has a ton in it right now. Like, boat-lane type of stuff,” he explained. “If anglers can get on a bare spot in the grass, a grass point or a shellbed on a grass patch, they can catch 20 pounds pretty quickly.”
The shallows will also play, as the chain supports strong reed lines, lily pads and other shoreline cover.
“It is a toss-up if someone will win shallow or offshore,” Bakewell said. “It will be harder to stay consistent for two days up shallow, but someone can also catch a 7- to 10-pounder each day shallow, too.”
For tournament coverage check out www.bassmaster.com.
