Ewing Minor celebrates his victory at the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft on Lake Murray, where he also secured the Angler of the Year title. Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.
GILBERT — Ewing Minor won the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft, held Oct. 15-17 on Lake Murray, with a three-day total of 292.75 inches.
The 24-year-old angler earned the $20,000 first-place prize and the Pro-Guide Batteries Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year title. His final-day catch of 99.5 inches put him two inches ahead of runner-up Wyatt Hammond.
The victory marked Minor’s first Kayak Series Championship title and his third Kayak Series win of the 2026 season.
“It’s been an incredible week,” Minor told Bassmaster. “I don’t know how many bass I caught this week. I probably averaged 30 to 40 a day.”
Hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country, the event brought the nation’s top qualifying kayak anglers to the region for the series’ first stand-alone championship. Festivities centered at JC’s Outdoors in Gilbert.
Hammond, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, finished second with 290.75 inches, followed by Jacob Berryhill with 276.5 inches. Berryhill led the field on the first day of competition.
Virginia angler Casey Reed earned Big Bass of the Tournament honors with a 23.5-inch largemouth caught on opening day.
Minor also topped the season-long Angler of the Year standings with 995 points, followed by Hammond with 982 and Rus Snyders with 976.
The championship highlighted Lake Murray’s appeal as a destination for competitive fishing and other outdoor recreation, drawing anglers and visitors to the surrounding communities.
For complete tournament results, visit Bassmaster.com. To explore fishing, lodging, dining and attractions in the region, visit LakeMurrayCountry.com.
