2013

The Buckeye Kayak Fishing Trail held its inaugural season in 2013, but the planning began in October of 2012.  The first year had 4 lake events, 2 moving water events, 2 online events and 7 YAK Ohio awards.  A few of the events held in 2013 were so popular with BKFT anglers they still exist today including Dayton area rivers, Columbus area rivers, and the Buckeye Open Labor Day online event.  A couple of other events were popular but the trail exceeded lake capacity (Kiser Lake, Nettle Lake).  

After the dust settled at the end of the season two anglers ended atop the standings in a tie; Jeff Bennett & Rylan Hayes.  After a quick deliberation all the anglers decided the best way to decide who would take home the Angler of the Year award was a final deciding event where all other anglers could also compete.  It was decided that Kiser Lake would be the final location due to its popularity among the kayak fishing community at the time.  The final event on Kiser saw upper 30 to lower 40 temps and sideways rain the entire day.  It was a brutal day considering paddle kayaks were the only thing on the water back in those days.  In the end Jeff pulled in a limit including a 20" largemouth to take home the AOY title!