After fishing from a bass boat for years, Corey Stansifer is now taking things slow on the water. In 2012, Stansifer and three friends decided to try kayak fishing-a decision that led to the formation of the Chattanooga Bass Yakkers fishing club and tournament trail.
“Me and three other guys who work together thought we’d give kayak fishing a try, so we bought kayaks,” he says. “Once we got started we decided since we like to fish together, why don’t we compete against each other.”
What started with Stansifer and three buddies has grown to more than 100 fans on the groups Facebook page and 20 to 25 competitors coming out for the group’s tournaments. For 2014, the Chattanooga Bass Yakkers have set up a 12-tournament trial which began in March and will culminate in a two-day Chattanoooga Bass Yakkers Classic on October 4-5. There are two tournaments planned for May, at Chester Frost Park on May 17 and at Agency Creek on the Hiwassee River on May 31. Stansifer says that kayak fishing is something that is much easier for anyone to get involved in without sinking lots of money into a high-powered bass boat.
“The main appeal is the price,” he says. “You start out in a decent kayak for around $500, and once you buy the kayak and the paddle you’re set. You don’t have to worry about gas and oil and just the general upkeep of a bass boat. Also you can sneak up on the fish a lot better in a kayak without making a lot of noise and get into water where a bass boat can’t go.”
For anyone interested in learning more about the Chattanooga Bass Yakkers, the tournament schedule and more information can be found and the club’s website (chattanoogabassyakkers.com) or on their Facebook page (facebook.com/chattanoogabassyakkers). Stansifer says that anyone is welcome to come to the tournaments and learn more about kayak fishing.
“We’ve got a really friendly group of guys, and the camaraderie is what draws people in to kayak fishing,” he says. “People are willing to meet on the weekends, and even if you don’t have a kayak, many of the guys will let you try out their kayak to see how you like it. I think what sets us apart from the bass-boat crowd is being open to help out everybody and show others the ropes.”