

Smallie Stix Angler of the Year "Invite Only" Tournament
Follow Us
How it works...
*Every tournament pays out 100% of the entry fees (except Buckeye Bracket Buster and Online events).
*We are currently looking for additional sponsors, so if you or someone you know would be a good fit contact buckeyekayakfishingtrail@gmail.com for more information.
*There are 9 trail stops (7 in-person & 2 online), 1 in-person bracketed tournament, and 8 YAK Ohio awards scheduled for the 2016 Trail.
*For General Event guidelines visit the Rules page and the 'Measuring Fish' page to understand how all events are run.
*Eligibility Requirements:
In-person events: Register the morning of the event and they are open to anyone.
Buckeye Open & Buckeye Blitz: Attend at least one in-person event.
Buckeye Bracket Buster: No requirements needed just sign up online.
YAK Ohio: Attend at least 3 trail stops (Buckeye Bass Challenge not included, but Buckeye Bracket Buster does count).
Buckeye Bass Challenge: Attend at least 3 trail stops (Buckeye Bracket Buster counts)
*In 2016, the Angler of the Year will be decided by an invite only tournament in late October (date, time, location tbd).
To receive an invite you must do one of the following:
+Place 1st at an in-person trail stop AND attend 4 events (max 1 online event)
+Attend 4 events (max 1 online event) AND finish in the top 10 of the final trail standings (4 best scores, only 1 online event will be counted)
+Reach the Final Two of the Buckeye Bracket Buster Tournament
Anglers will not receive multiple invites if they achieve more than one occurence in the list above. (ie: cannot give an invite to another angler)
Updated 4/2/2016
2016 BKFT Standings
Final
Place/Angler Points *Qual?
1. Travis Belcher
2. Alex Roberts
3. Pete Clark
4. Russ McDonald
5. Mike Gunder
6. Tim Crabtree
7. Joe Tarr
8. Chase Bateson
9. Logan Estep
10. Kodi Deluca
11. Todd Burch
12. Brad Butin
13. Dave Schar
14. Brock Spencer
15. Dylan Carles
16. Josh Hall
17. Clarence Cottrell
18. Evan Kite
19. Chris Hannegan
20. Chris Mangen
21. Nyall Sheldon
22. Josh Gallimore
23. Brian Sentman
24. P.J. Deluca
25. Dave Shaner
26. Brian Lammers
27. Garrett Kite
28. Glenn Smith
29. Bill Crabtree
30. Mike Murphy
31. Carla Spurgeon
32. Caleb Garza
33. Bill Zuck
34. Dylan Crace
35. Ethan Nealeigh
36. Anthony Dempsey
37. Ryan Neiswander
38. Kenny King
39. Dick Nauta
40. Brad Lehman
41. Eric Clark
42. Hunter Butin
43. Tyler Alexander
44. Mike Wendel
45. Mercedes Neff
46. Joe Ruwowldt
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
16
16
16
14
13
12
11
10
9
7.5
7.5
5.5
5.5
4
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Latest News
*04/30/2016 - Travis Belcher wins the Big Slab Crappie Challenge with 36.75 inches! His ticket
to the AOY Invitation-only tournament has been stamped!
*03/21/2016 - Columbus Kayak becomes a sponsor of the Buckeye Open Online event Sept 2nd-5th
*03/22/2016 - SeaDeck Marine donates gift cards for raffle prizes
*03/22/2016 - SuperNova Lights donates gift cards for raffle prizes
*03/22/2016 - Dick's Sporting Goods donates gift cards for raffle prizes
*03/21/2016 - Lakeview Marina becomes a sponsor of the Battle at East Harbor Event Aug 20th.
*03/12/2016 - Dick's Sporting Goods donates gift cards for raffle prizes.
*03/11/2016 - Bayview Bait and Tackle becomes a sponsor of the Rockin on Rocky Fork Lake event Sept 17th.
*03/06/2016 - EyeHunter Charter once again sponsors of the Walleye/Saugeye Yak Ohio
*03/06/2016 - Toad Puncher Baits becomes a sponsor of the LargeMouth Bass Yak Ohio
*03/06/2016 - Smallie Stiks renews sponsorship of the SmallMouth Bass Yak Ohio
*03/05/2016 - Outdoor Source once again sponsors of the Columbus Rumble on the River event Aug 6th.
*03/05/2016 - Mystery Tackle Box once again sponsors of the Buckeye Blitz Online event May 27th - 30th.
*03/01/2016 - The 2016 BKFT season events announced.
*02/20/2016 - 412 Bait Co becomes a sponsor of the Clendening Clash at Clendening Lake on June 18th.
*02/20/2016 - Whitewater Warehouse renews sponsorship for 2016!
*02/20/2016 - Strictly Sale becomes a sponsor of the Lake vs River Challenge in Cincy.
*02/20/2016 - Lakeside Pro Bass Shop becomes a sponsor of the Big Slab Crappie Challenge at Indian Lake on April 30th!
*******************************************************************************
*10/24/2015 - Sean Stone wins the BKFT 2015 AOY Invitational Tournament and is crowned the BKFT 2015 Angler of the Year!
*10/04/2015 - Brad Butin takes the win at Midwest Outdoor Dayton Rivers!
Travis Belcher wins Yak Ohio Largemouth Bass - 23.25"
Alex Roberts wins Yak Ohio Smallmouth Bass - 22.5"
Kurt Smits wins Yak Ohio Catfish - 47"
Rob Orr wins Yak Ohio Pike/Musky/Gar - 52"
Michael Murphy wins Yak Ohio Crappie - 15"
Alex Roberts wins Yak Ohio Walleye/Saugeye - 30.5"
Chris Mangen wins Yak Ohio Stripe/Hybrid/White Bass - 30.5"
Jim Martin wins Yak Ohio Steelhead/Trout - 25.25"
*09/19/2015 - Clarence Cotrell wins Reelin' on Rush Creek Lake!
*09/07/2015 - Alex Roberts wins the Buckeye Open!
*08/22/2015 - Logan Estep wins the Battle at East Harbor!
*08/08/2015 - Kevin Hughes wins the Rumble on the River!
*07/11/2015 - Brent Jones wins the Cincinnati River vs. Lake Challenge!
*06/20/2015 - Brandon Howard wins the Kiser Kayak Classic!
*06/19/2015 - Hobie becomes a co-sponsor for the River vs. Lake Challenge!
*05/26/2015 - Sean Stone wins the 2015 Buckeye Blitz!
*05/12/2015 - Sean Stone wins the 2015 Big Slab Crappie Challenge!
*02/12/2015 - Erie Outfitters becomes a sponsor for the Steelhead/Trout YAK Ohio!
*02/12/2015 - BKFT announces a new YAK Ohio category - Steelhead & Trout!
*02/05/2015 - Eyehunter Charters become a Walleye/Saugeye YAK Ohio Sponsor!
*02/04/2015 - Smallie Stix renews sponsor challenge for 2015!
*02/04/2015 - BKFT becomes a qualifier for the 2016 KBF Open!
*02/01/2015 - BKFT becomes a qualifier for the Tournament of Champions held on November 7th & 8th on big bass fishery Lake Fork, Texas!
*12/12/2014 - Lakeside Pro Bass Shop becomes a sponsor of the Big Slab Crappie Challenge at Indian Lake on May 9th!
*12/01/2014 - Smitty's Cyclery becomes a sponsor for the Hybrid/Striper YAK Ohio!
*******************************************************************************
*10/04/2014 - Jeff Bennett wins Buckeye Kayak Fishing Trail's Angler of the Year !
Michael Murphy wins the Wilderness Kayak Fishing Systems kayak per raffle !
Travis Belcher wins Yak Ohio Largemouth Bass - 23.25"
Chris Hannegan wins Yak Ohio Smallmouth Bass - 19.75"
Sean Stone wins Yak Ohio Flathead Catfish - 44"
Russ McDonald wins Yak Ohio Gar - 41"
Luke Buxton wins Yak Ohio Crappie - 17"
Aaron Stiger wins Yak Ohio Walleye - 30"
Sean Stone wins Yak Ohio Hybrid Striped Bass - 23.75"
Russ McDonald wins Yak Ohio Carp - 29.75"
Jeff Bennett wins the Midwest Outdoor Experience Tournament !
*09/13/2014 - Shawn Skidmore wins the KnockOut on Knox Lake Tournament !
*09/01/2014 - Jeff Bennett wins the Buckeye Open Online Tournament !
*08/18/2014 - Kayak Kaddy becomes a sponsor!
*08/18/2014 - SeaDeck Marine Products become a sponsor!
*08/16/2014 - Amanda Jones wins the Kiser Kayak Classic!
*08/07/2014 - Jeff Little becomes a sponsor!
*08/02/2014 - Travis Belcher wins Breaking Bass!
*07/19/2014 - Aaron Stiger wins Rumble on the River!
*06/21/2014 - Larry Haines and Jeff Bennett tie for the win at Paddlefest!
*05/26/2014 - Brock Spencer wins the Buckeye Blitz!
*05/17/2014 - Jeff Bennett wins the Big Slab Crappie Challenge!
*01/17/2014 - BKFT announces a new WS Ride 115X will be raffled off in 2014 to anglers who qualify for the angler of the year in 2014!
*01/17/2014 - Wilderness Kayak Fishing Systems becomes a sponsor for 2014!
*01/17/2014 - Kayak Fishing Alliance becomes a sponsor for 2014!
*01/10/2014 - 412 Bait Co becomes a sponsor for 2014!
*01/10/2014 - Backwater Paddle Company renews sponsorship for 2014!
*12/20/2013 - Kayak Fishing Alliance becomes a sponsor for 2014!
*12/20/2013 - Reel-Fin-Addict becomes sponsor for 2014!
*12/20/2013 - Hook 1 renews sponsorship for 2014!
*12/20/2013 - YAK Gear becomes a sponsor for 2014!
*12/20/2013 - Kayak Angler Magazine renews sponsorship for 2014!
*12/20/2013 - Newark Goodyear becomes a sponsor for 2014!
*12/20/2013 - RAM Mounts becomes a sponsor for 2014!
*12/20/2013 - J&M Tackle renews sponsorship for 2014!
*******************************************************************************
*10/19/2013 - Jeff Bennett wins Buckeye Kayak Fishing Trail's first ever Angler of the Year!
*10/07/2013 - Northstar Automotive becomes a sponsor for 2014!
*10/07/2013 - Smack Tackle becomes a sponsor for 2014!
*10/05/2013 - AOY Standings result in a tie between Jeff Bennett and Rylan Hayes.
*10/05/2013 - Rylan Hayes wins the Dayton Kayak Fishing Experience with a total of 53.25"!
*09/27/2013 - The Outdoor Source becomes a sponsor for 2014!
*09/10/2013 - Land Big Fish renews sponsorship for 2014!
*09/09/2013 - Whitewater Warehouse renews sponsorship for 2014!
*09/09/2013 - K&A Photography renews sponsorship for 2014!
*09/09/2013 - Mystery Tackle Box renews sponsorship for 2014!
*09/02/2013 - Brian Britton wins the Buckeye Open!
*08/17/2013 - Larry Haines wins the Columbus Rumble on the River!
*08/08/2013 - Midwest River Experience event invited to the Midwest Outdoor Experience!
*08/08/2013 - Dayton River Regional renamed to Midwest River Experience
*07/28/2013 - Sean Stone wins Summer Slam 2013!
*06/22/2013 - Rylan Hayes wins the Kiser Kayak Classic!
*05/25/2013 - Noah Heck wins the Three Lake Throwdown!
*05/17/2013 - Backwater Paddle Company becomes a sponsor!
*05/15/2013 - M.A.R.S. of SE Ohio becomes a sponsor!
*05/13/2013 - J & M Tackle becomes a sponsor!
*05/04/2013 - BKFT aired on Dan Armitage's Buckeye Sportsman radio show! May 4th
podcast, starts at the 9:00 minute mark.
*05/04/2013 - Chase Bateson wins the Big Slab Crappie Challenge!
*04/24/2013 - Land Big Fish becomes a sponsor!
*04/16/2013 - Yak City becomes a sponsor!
*04/07/2013 - Dayton Daily News releases an article about the BKFT in the Sunday paper!
*03/21/2013 - Kayak Angler Magazine releases News Article!
*03/15/2013 - Buckeye Sportsman with Dan Armitage becomes a sponsor!
*03/07/2013 - Event Flyer available for download
*03/04/2013 - Yak Attack becomes a sponsor!
*03/01/2013 - BKFT will be attending the Dayton Sportsman Show (Sat 9-8 Sun:9-5)
*02/06/2013 - Roosters becomes a sponsor!
*02/04/2013 - Mystery Tackle Box becomes a sponsor!
*02/02/2013 - Website goes LIVE!
*02/01/2013 - YAK OHIO submissions begin!
*01/30/2013 - Kayak Angler Magazine becomes a sponsor!
*01/09/2013 - Twitter Account created!
*12/12/2012 - Facebook page born!
*12/12/2012 - Hook 1 Kayak Fishing Gear becomes a sponsor!
*12/01/2012 - K&A Photography becomes a sponsor!
*12/01/2012 - Whitewater Warehouse becomes a sponsor!