Kayak smallie fishing tournament on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania: I came across an interesting article about a Kayak fishing tournament that happened this past weekend on the...

DVTracker Loc: Harrisburg, PA.

I came across an interesting article about a Kayak fishing tournament that happened this past weekend on the nearby Susquehanna River. The 2023 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship.

Article website:
https://www.bassmaster.com/kayak/news/chrenko-captures-day-1-lead-at-the-susquehanna/

Some information that caught my attention:
1. The number of entrants
2. Largest smallie on Day 1

A total of 146 anglers from across the U.S. came to the Susquehanna, which eventually empties into the Chesapeake Bay and then into the Atlantic Ocean. That number 146 seems like a large number of kayaks, has anyone heard of more in a tournament?

On Day 1 the leader measured five smallies totaling 96.25 inches. The largest smallie of all the fisherman measured 21.25 inches, not sure what is caught in other parts of the U.S., but that sounds like a large smallie. Anyone catch or hear of larger?

Day 2 results have not been posted yet or I just cannot find them so far.

If anyone can provide information related to the above questions or other information (maybe Day 2 results), it would be much appreciated.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Sounds like this would have been a fun event. Those are definitely some good sized smallmouth bass too.

DVTracker Loc: Harrisburg, PA.

fishyaker wrote:

Sounds like this would have been a fun event. Those are definitely some good sized smallmouth bass too.

Yes, it sounds like it would have been fun and the five fish size’s turned in for the top leaders are amazing.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Pa must have loosened the restrictions on tournaments.
146 anglers if ea caught 5 bass = 730 fish.
I wonder if anglers measure their own catch 👍.

I use to fish the Susquehanna alot.
Never heard of anyone having a 5 fish bag with measurements like that. West branch must grow them BIG 👍

DVTracker Loc: Harrisburg, PA.

Grizzly 17 wrote:

Pa must have loosened the restrictions on tournaments.
146 anglers if ea caught 5 bass = 730 fish.
I wonder if anglers measure their own catch 👍.

I use to fish the Susquehanna alot.
Never heard of anyone having a 5 fish bag with measurements like that. West branch must grow them BIG 👍

It surprised me too Grizz how big they are and a lot of them. I'm thinking the tournament ended today and I should be able to find more information tomorrow. There could even be larger fish that were caught.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

DVTracker wrote:

It surprised me too Grizz how big they are and a lot of them. I'm thinking the tournament ended today and I should be able to find more information tomorrow. There could even be larger fish that were caught.

I've seen a few other 20 but never that many a one time.
Then again never fished the West Branch

DVTracker Loc: Harrisburg, PA.

Grizzly 17 wrote:

I've seen a few other 20 but never that many a one time.
Then again never fished the West Branch

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Nice 👍

Callturkey Loc: Pennsylvania

I came across some of these guy, looks like a lot of fun ☺️.
I get a chance from time to time and get on the water for about 2 to 3 hours.
Both branches hold some very nice small mouth.
This past April I landed a 24" about 5 lbs.
When I get on them I catch anything from 10" but usually 18" to 22" common. Wish I could spend the day but wife is bed-ridden and I have to come back to take over watching and chores.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Callturkey wrote:

I came across some of these guy, looks like a lot of fun ☺️.
I get a chance from time to time and get on the water for about 2 to 3 hours.
Both branches hold some very nice small mouth.
This past April I landed a 24" about 5 lbs.
When I get on them I catch anything from 10" but usually 18" to 22" common. Wish I could spend the day but wife is bed-ridden and I have to come back to take over watching and chores.

.
CT that's some nice ones brother.
Was you in the west branch or up river from the fork

Callturkey Loc: Pennsylvania

Yes, I ain't been able to get out like I want to but when I get my time away from the house that's The first place I head.
I'm really looking forward to colder weather. February was a good month, I was catching small mouth, walleye, and a few muskie.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Callturkey wrote:

Yes, I ain't been able to get out like I want to but when I get my time away from the house that's The first place I head.
I'm really looking forward to colder weather. February was a good month, I was catching small mouth, walleye, and a few muskie.

Sounds like a great fishing hole 👍

DVTracker Loc: Harrisburg, PA.

Callturkey wrote:

I came across some of these guy, looks like a lot of fun ☺️.
I get a chance from time to time and get on the water for about 2 to 3 hours.
Both branches hold some very nice small mouth.
This past April I landed a 24" about 5 lbs.
When I get on them I catch anything from 10" but usually 18" to 22" common. Wish I could spend the day but wife is bed-ridden and I have to come back to take over watching and chores.

Wow…24”s and 5 lbs., that is a large small mouth.

Very good catching! Nice pics and info. I think so too that the tournament fisherman were having fun, some of those five bass totals were close to 100”s. Also, I think you would do well in a tournament going by your bass pictures and especially knowing the Susquehanna River’s better catching locations along with the best lures-bait to use.

I see you also mentioned catching a lot of fish in February, that’s good, because most people are hunkered down during the cold months.

Thank you for taking the time to post your pics and info. Also, I hope your wife’s health goes in a positive direction.

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Nice 👍