{"id":1399029,"date":"2026-02-16T12:41:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T18:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/?post_type=photo-gallery&#038;p=1399029"},"modified":"2026-02-16T12:47:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T18:47:05","slug":"kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits","status":"publish","type":"photo-gallery","link":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/kayak\/slideshow\/kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits\/","title":{"rendered":"Kayak: Top Baits at Kissimmee Chain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-1 columns-default wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"822\" data-id=\"1399030\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz1.png?w=822\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399030\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz1.png 1104w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz1.png?resize=241,300 241w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz1.png?resize=768,957 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz1.png?resize=822,1024 822w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz1.png?resize=150,187 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz1.png?resize=500,623 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 822px) 100vw, 822px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tournament champion&nbsp;<strong>Ryan Matylewicz of Pennsylvania<\/strong>&nbsp;secured his win with a total of 194.25\u201d over the two-day event. He attributed his success to maintaining constant focus, noting that his lure was in the water almost continuously throughout the tournament.<br>While practice proved to be a struggle for him and many other anglers, Matylewicz found success on Day 1, catching over 40 bass. Although many were small, he managed to catch around 15 fish on Day 2, including several in the eight-to-eleven-inch range and even two at a time. During this period, water temperatures rose from 52 to 58 degrees.<br><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"693\" data-id=\"1399031\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz2.png?w=693\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399031\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz2.png 930w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz2.png?resize=203,300 203w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz2.png?resize=768,1135 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz2.png?resize=693,1024 693w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz2.png?resize=150,222 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Matylewicz2.png?resize=500,739 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 693px) 100vw, 693px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">By the second day, the fishing pressure increased significantly. After sharing his Day 1 success, Matylewicz was joined by approximately ten other anglers at his spot, all using A-rigs. He noted that the combination of fishing pressure and warming water\u2014which pushed the fish up after a recent cold spell\u2014caused the bite to slow down. He expressed relief that there was no Day 3, as the area had become overfished. Photo: Mark Cisneros&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"683\" width=\"1024\" data-id=\"1399032\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hammond1.png?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hammond1.png 1244w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hammond1.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hammond1.png?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hammond1.png?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hammond1.png?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hammond1.png?resize=500,334 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Wyatt Hammond of North Carolina<\/strong>\u00a0is no stranger to top finishes in National kayak fishing events. He caught 190.75\u201d of bass over the two days to finish in the runner-up spot. He fished mid-lake on Toho both days. Practice had been very tough for Hammond, just as everyone else had experienced.\u00a0\u00a0<br>To try and overcome the challenging conditions, Hammond marked all the areas where he was catching bucks in hopes that bigger fish would show up by tournament time. Luckily, on Day 1, he checked an area right in front of where he was catching the bucks and found a school of fish on his Humminbird sidescan. He ended up catching most of his fish on a Rapala Snare 50 and a \u00bd oz. Jackhammer with a custom skirt and a 6-inch Shindo trailer. He went with the Snare because it had a slightly smaller profile than most other rattle-style traps and also had rattles due to the pressure the lake was getting from the knocker-style traps. He also made a subtle but larger chatterbait with the 6-inch trailer to try and get closer to the large long profile of the shiners that the fish were used to eating. He watched the boaters around him catching fish on shiners all day long, which made this lure a logical choice for catching bass.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"717\" width=\"1024\" data-id=\"1399033\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hammond2.png?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399033\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hammond2.png 1242w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hammond2.png?resize=300,210 300w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hammond2.png?resize=768,538 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hammond2.png?resize=1024,717 1024w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hammond2.png?resize=150,105 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hammond2.png?resize=500,350 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hammond\u2019s fish were staging very close to the Kissimmee grass lines, waiting for a warm front to push in. He caught his limits within 30 minutes each day. On Day 2, Hammond caught 94 inches in 22 minutes off the school of bass he found, which he found insane. The bass then broke up after the morning flurry, and he ended up pulling out the punch rod and a 1.5 oz. weight as the wind slacked off and the sun rose higher. This allowed him to cull twice, later in the day with an 18\u201d and 20\u201d bass to get him to 96.75 inches on his best five. This bumped him up into second place.\u00a0\u00a0<br>Hammond mentioned that the spot lock on the Old Town Autopilot helped him stay in place on that school of fish he found and allowed him to chew through the grass looking for punch fish. This made a huge difference in being able to get around.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"729\" data-id=\"1399034\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec1.png?w=729\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399034\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec1.png 932w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec1.png?resize=213,300 213w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec1.png?resize=768,1079 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec1.png?resize=729,1024 729w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec1.png?resize=150,211 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec1.png?resize=500,703 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Greg Polec of Pennsylvania<\/strong>\u00a0finished third with 190.5\u201d, catching a majority of his fish on a \u00bd oz. Chatterbait. He paired it with a Rapala Crush City Freeloader on a Bandersnatch rod matched up with a Shimano Curado 151 HG spooled with 15 lb Seaguar Invizix Fluorocarbon. Polec fished offshore grass in five to six feet of water, slowly rolling the chatterbait through and above the grass line. Polec\u2019s second choice when the bite slowed down was a Zoom paddle tail worm in Junebug on a 3\/16 oz weight fished on a Megabass Orochi XXX Perfect Pitch rod and a Lews Hyper Mag reel spooled with 17 lb Seaguar Invizix Fluorocarbon line.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"928\" height=\"694\" data-id=\"1399035\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399035\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec2.png 928w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec2.png?resize=300,224 300w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec2.png?resize=768,574 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec2.png?resize=150,112 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec2.png?resize=500,374 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 928px) 100vw, 928px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A closer look at Polec\u2019s chatterbait.&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"702\" data-id=\"1399036\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec3.png?w=702\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399036\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec3.png 912w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec3.png?resize=206,300 206w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec3.png?resize=768,1120 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec3.png?resize=702,1024 702w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec3.png?resize=150,219 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec3.png?resize=500,729 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 702px) 100vw, 702px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Polec threw the \u00bd oz. Chatterbait paired it with a Rapala Crush City Freeloader on a Bandersnatch rod matched up with a Shimano Curado 151 HG spooled with 15 lb Seaguar Invizix Fluorocarbon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"926\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"1399037\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399037\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec4.png 926w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec4.png?resize=300,221 300w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec4.png?resize=768,566 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec4.png?resize=150,110 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec4.png?resize=500,368 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 926px) 100vw, 926px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Polec\u2019s second choice was a Zoom Paddle Tail worm.&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"683\" data-id=\"1399038\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec5.png?w=683\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399038\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec5.png 918w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec5.png?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec5.png?resize=768,1151 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec5.png?resize=683,1024 683w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec5.png?resize=150,225 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Polec5.png?resize=500,749 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Polec\u2019s Zoom paddle tail worm in Junebug on a 3\/16 oz weight fished on a Megabass Orochi XXX Perfect Pitch rod and a Lews Hyper Mag reel spooled with 17 lb Seaguar Invizix Fluorocarbon line.&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"679\" data-id=\"1399039\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Crystaloski1.png?w=679\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399039\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Crystaloski1.png 922w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Crystaloski1.png?resize=199,300 199w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Crystaloski1.png?resize=768,1158 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Crystaloski1.png?resize=679,1024 679w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Crystaloski1.png?resize=150,226 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Crystaloski1.png?resize=500,754 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Dylan Crystaloski of Pennsylvania&nbsp;<\/strong>finished fourth with 182.75 inches with his Rapala DT 6\u2019s in Penguin and Blue back shad. He used a Dobyns Champion XP 7\u20193\u201d Med\/Hvy extra fast action rod to land his fish.&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"920\" height=\"982\" data-id=\"1399040\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/crystaloski2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399040\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/crystaloski2.png 920w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/crystaloski2.png?resize=281,300 281w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/crystaloski2.png?resize=768,820 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/crystaloski2.png?resize=150,160 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/crystaloski2.png?resize=500,534 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 920px) 100vw, 920px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Crystaloski used a DT-6 to catch his bass and finish fourth in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Bassmaster Kayak Series event.&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"720\" data-id=\"1399042\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye1.png?w=720\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399042\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye1.png 922w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye1.png?resize=211,300 211w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye1.png?resize=768,1093 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye1.png?resize=720,1024 720w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye1.png?resize=150,213 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye1.png?resize=500,711 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Ryan Nye of Connecticut<\/strong>\u00a0finished in 5th place with 180.0 inches during the two-day Kissimmee event. He used a Spro Wameku Shad 70 in the chrome shad color, fishing grass flats in three to four feet of water. Once the fish moved shallower, he fished a 7\/16 oz Martin\u2019s Custom Baits Recon swim jig in the black ice color with an X Zone Lures 4-inch Swammer in the black color as a trailer. He fished this presentation through the thicker, shallower grass in 2-3 feet of water, which produced key bites during this tournament.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"922\" height=\"618\" data-id=\"1399043\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye2.png 922w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye2.png?resize=300,201 300w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye2.png?resize=768,515 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye2.png?resize=150,101 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye2.png?resize=500,335 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 922px) 100vw, 922px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A closer look at Nye\u2019s Spro Wameku Shad 70.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"739\" data-id=\"1399044\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye3.png?w=739\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399044\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye3.png 916w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye3.png?resize=216,300 216w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye3.png?resize=768,1065 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye3.png?resize=739,1024 739w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye3.png?resize=150,208 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nye3.png?resize=500,693 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 739px) 100vw, 739px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nye also used a Custom Baits Recon swim jig in the black ice color with an X Zone Lures 4-inch Swammer in the black color as a trailer.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"772\" data-id=\"1399050\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor1.png?w=772\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399050\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor1.png 930w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor1.png?resize=226,300 226w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor1.png?resize=768,1019 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor1.png?resize=772,1024 772w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor1.png?resize=150,199 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor1.png?resize=500,663 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 772px) 100vw, 772px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Ewing Minor from Virginia<\/strong>\u00a0finished in sixth place with 175.25\u201d using a Jackall Rerange 110 SH Threadfin with #6 medium wire hooks on 15 lb fluorocarbon to keep the jerkbait above the grass. He used a slightly stiffer 6\u20199\u201d medium fast LMO Nereus rod, rather than his traditional jerkbait rod, to account for the higher gauge hooks. This setup accounted for most of his fish throughout the tournament.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"767\" data-id=\"1399051\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor2.png?w=767\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399051\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor2.png 930w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor2.png?resize=225,300 225w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor2.png?resize=768,1026 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor2.png?resize=767,1024 767w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor2.png?resize=150,200 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor2.png?resize=500,668 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Minor also used a Stealth Lures Stealth Rig with 3\u201d Crush City Mayor\u2019s on a 7\u20198\u201d Little Miami Outfitters custom swimbait rod on 20 lb fluorocarbon line. This setup accounted for three critical fish on Day 2 while targeting scattered grass that was just starting to grow.&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"770\" data-id=\"1399052\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor3.png?w=770\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399052\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor3.png 932w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor3.png?resize=225,300 225w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor3.png?resize=768,1022 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor3.png?resize=770,1024 770w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor3.png?resize=150,200 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/minor3.png?resize=500,665 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">His third presentation was on a 7\u20190\u201d Little Miami Outfitters Utan spinning rod with 10 lb braid and a 12 lb fluorocarbon leader paired with a 6.5\u201d Junebug finesse worm Neko rigged with a 1\/32 oz nail weight. Minor caught a crucial late-day cull on Day 2, pitching at fish cruising up shallow in the warming water.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"798\" data-id=\"1399055\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill3.png?w=798\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399055\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill3.png 926w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill3.png?resize=234,300 234w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill3.png?resize=768,985 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill3.png?resize=798,1024 798w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill3.png?resize=150,192 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill3.png?resize=500,641 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Jacob Berryhill of Tennessee<\/strong>&nbsp;finished with 174.25\u201d for 7th place overall. He caught his fish on a ZMan Stealth Blade and on Day 2 with an A Rig using Southeast Tackle Snack Shads.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"760\" data-id=\"1399053\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill1.png?w=760\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399053\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill1.png 920w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill1.png?resize=223,300 223w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill1.png?resize=768,1035 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill1.png?resize=760,1024 760w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill1.png?resize=150,202 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill1.png?resize=500,674 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Berryhill used an A Rig with Southeast Tackle Snack Shads.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"803\" data-id=\"1399054\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill2.png?w=803\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399054\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill2.png 914w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill2.png?resize=235,300 235w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill2.png?resize=768,980 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill2.png?resize=803,1024 803w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill2.png?resize=150,191 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/berryhill2.png?resize=500,638 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 803px) 100vw, 803px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Berryhill\u2019s ZMan Stealth Blade.&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"827\" data-id=\"1399056\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook1.png?w=827\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399056\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook1.png 930w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook1.png?resize=242,300 242w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook1.png?resize=768,951 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook1.png?resize=827,1024 827w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook1.png?resize=150,186 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook1.png?resize=500,619 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 827px) 100vw, 827px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u00a0<strong>Devin Holbrook of Florida<\/strong>\u00a0finished with 172.0\u201d for 8th place with most of his damage done with a Strike King Red Eye Shad lipless crank bait ripping it through hydrilla that came up about eight inches to a foot off the bottom.\u00a0 He used a 7\u20192\u201d medium heavy Halo Black Widow rod paired with a Shimano Scorpion and a 6.2:1 gear ratio.\u00a0 The slower gear ratio kept his lure close to the hydrilla on the bottom of the lake. If the fish missed the lipless crankbait, he would follow it up with a 13 Fishing Loco Special 110 jerkbait, slowing things down to get the fish to commit. The jerkbait was thrown on a 7\u2019 medium custom rod that he personally built,t and paired it with a Lew&#8217;s BB1 Pro with a 6.5:1 gear ratio. All of his fish were caught in about 3.5 to 4 feet of water.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"781\" data-id=\"1399057\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook2.png?w=781\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399057\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook2.png 926w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook2.png?resize=229,300 229w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook2.png?resize=768,1007 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook2.png?resize=781,1024 781w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook2.png?resize=150,197 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/holbrook2.png?resize=500,656 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 781px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Holbrook with his Strike King Red Eye Shad lipless crank bait and his 13 Fishing Loco Special 110 jerkbait.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"912\" height=\"750\" data-id=\"1399059\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399059\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco1.png 912w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco1.png?resize=300,247 300w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco1.png?resize=768,632 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco1.png?resize=150,123 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco1.png?resize=500,411 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 912px) 100vw, 912px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"916\" height=\"686\" data-id=\"1399058\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399058\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco.png 916w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco.png?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco.png?resize=768,575 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco.png?resize=150,112 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco.png?resize=500,374 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 916px) 100vw, 916px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Christopher Blanco of Florida<\/strong>\u00a0put up 169 inches for his two-day total, catching them on a Booyah One Knocker lipless crankbait. He was targeting grass flats where the vegetation was sitting about one to two feet off the bottom. This lipless bait helped him cover water and trigger reaction bites, which helped him put a good limit together.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"785\" data-id=\"1399060\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco2.png?w=785\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399060\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco2.png 924w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco2.png?resize=230,300 230w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco2.png?resize=768,1002 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco2.png?resize=785,1024 785w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco2.png?resize=150,196 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/blanco2.png?resize=500,653 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 785px) 100vw, 785px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">On Day 2, Blanco went back to the same area, and that is where he caught most of his fish. This time, though, instead of the lipless, he slowed things down. He picked up a Wacky rigged 5-inch Gary Yamamoto Senko in plum and continued his success. Once he secured his limit, he started hunting for bigger bass. He moved out to 6-7 feet of water on the grass flats and once again focused on the vegetation within a foot of the bottom. He dialed in on dead-sticking the Senko, giving it a subtle twitch every 3-4 seconds. That adjustment helped him find the better quality fish and a nice 9th place finish in the event.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"757\" data-id=\"1399061\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli1.png?w=757\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399061\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli1.png 902w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli1.png?resize=222,300 222w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli1.png?resize=768,1039 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli1.png?resize=757,1024 757w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli1.png?resize=150,203 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli1.png?resize=500,676 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 757px) 100vw, 757px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Matthew Osmancikli<\/strong>\u00a0loves to get away from the cold of winter in New York, and it has become a yearly thing for him as he looks forward to meeting with good friends at these events.\u00a0<br>Rounding out the top ten was Osmancikli with 168.5 inches. He used a Keitech \u00bd oz spinnerbait and a Booyah \u00bd oz lipless hard knocker in a golden shiner color.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"771\" data-id=\"1399062\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli2.png?w=771\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399062\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli2.png 920w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli2.png?resize=226,300 226w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli2.png?resize=768,1020 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli2.png?resize=771,1024 771w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli2.png?resize=150,199 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli2.png?resize=500,664 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 771px) 100vw, 771px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Osmancikli&#8217;s Keitech \u00bd oz spinnerbait.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"781\" data-id=\"1399063\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli3.png?w=781\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli3.png 918w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli3.png?resize=229,300 229w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli3.png?resize=768,1007 768w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli3.png?resize=781,1024 781w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli3.png?resize=150,197 150w, https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/osmancikli3.png?resize=500,656 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 781px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Osmancikli&#8217;s Booyah \u00bd oz lipless hard knocker in a golden shiner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft headed to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Central Florida for its first of five open events in 2026. These lakes which include Lake Kissimmee, Lake Toho, and Lake Cypress are loaded with trophy largemouth bass. There is lots of vegetation like hydrilla and Kissimmee grass where anglers can usually find bass lurking for prey.<br \/>\nWeather would play a key role for these 242 anglers as a massive cold front had dominated the region before the competition. Water temperature was in the low 50\u2019s with air temps in the 59-60 degree range. And to add to the difficulty in this challenge were the previous three weeks of championship tournaments taking place here as well. <\/p>\n<p>There were a few anglers who mastered the conditions and put up some really good numbers of big bass including Ryan Matylewicz of Pennsylvania. His 194.25 inch two day total won him the grand cash prize of $11,500 and a nice big blue trophy! Another notable performance was by Dylan Crystaloski also of Pennsylvania who set a Bassmaster kayak series single-day record with 114.75 inches on Day 2 which is equivalent to a 35-lb bag! <\/p>\n<p>The big bass of the event went to Garin Butler of Georgia with a 24.75 inch monster! The top 5 anglers qualified for the 2026 Kayak Series Championship to be held this next fall. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26949,"featured_media":1399032,"template":"","meta":{"byline":{"profiles":[{"type":"byline_id","atts":{"term_id":103866,"post_id":1213407}}]},"bassmaster_plugin_short_title":"","bassmaster_plugin_photo_attribution":[],"bassmaster_plugin_caption_attribution":[],"bassmaster_dfp":[],"bassmaster_ad_refresh_interval_bool":false,"bassmaster_ad_refresh_interval_length":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[100010],"sponsors":[],"people":[],"tournaments":[121567],"tournament-series":[1414],"byline":[103866],"class_list":["post-1399029","photo-gallery","type-photo-gallery","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kayak","tournaments-2026-bassmaster-kayak-series-at-kissimmee-chain","tournament-series-kayak"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Kayak: Top Baits at Kissimmee Chain - Bassmaster<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/kayak\/slideshow\/kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Kayak: Top Baits at Kissimmee Chain - Bassmaster\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft headed to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Central Florida for its first of five open events in 2026. These lakes which include Lake Kissimmee, Lake Toho, and Lake Cypress are loaded with trophy largemouth bass. There is lots of vegetation like hydrilla and Kissimmee grass where anglers can usually find bass lurking for prey. Weather would play a key role for these 242 anglers as a massive cold front had dominated the region before the competition. Water temperature was in the low 50\u2019s with air temps in the 59-60 degree range. And to add to the difficulty in this challenge were the previous three weeks of championship tournaments taking place here as well.  There were a few anglers who mastered the conditions and put up some really good numbers of big bass including Ryan Matylewicz of Pennsylvania. His 194.25 inch two day total won him the grand cash prize of $11,500 and a nice big blue trophy! Another notable performance was by Dylan Crystaloski also of Pennsylvania who set a Bassmaster kayak series single-day record with 114.75 inches on Day 2 which is equivalent to a 35-lb bag!  The big bass of the event went to Garin Butler of Georgia with a 24.75 inch monster! The top 5 anglers qualified for the 2026 Kayak Series Championship to be held this next fall.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/kayak\/slideshow\/kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bassmaster\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bass\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-16T18:47:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hammond1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1244\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"830\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@bassmaster\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"Marty Hughes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/kayak\/slideshow\/kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/kayak\/slideshow\/kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits\/\",\"name\":\"Kayak: Top Baits at Kissimmee Chain - Bassmaster\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/kayak\/slideshow\/kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/kayak\/slideshow\/kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hammond1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-16T18:41:10+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-16T18:47:05+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/kayak\/slideshow\/kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/kayak\/slideshow\/kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/kayak\/slideshow\/kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hammond1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hammond1.png\",\"width\":1244,\"height\":830},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/kayak\/slideshow\/kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Photo Galleries\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/slideshow\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Kayak: Top Baits at Kissimmee Chain\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/\",\"name\":\"Bassmaster\",\"description\":\"Pro Bass Tournament Fishing, Bass Fishing Tips &amp; News\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Kayak: Top Baits at Kissimmee Chain - Bassmaster","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/kayak\/slideshow\/kayak-kissimmee-chain-of-lakes-top-baits\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Kayak: Top Baits at Kissimmee Chain - Bassmaster","og_description":"The Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft headed to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Central Florida for its first of five open events in 2026. These lakes which include Lake Kissimmee, Lake Toho, and Lake Cypress are loaded with trophy largemouth bass. There is lots of vegetation like hydrilla and Kissimmee grass where anglers can usually find bass lurking for prey. Weather would play a key role for these 242 anglers as a massive cold front had dominated the region before the competition. Water temperature was in the low 50\u2019s with air temps in the 59-60 degree range. And to add to the difficulty in this challenge were the previous three weeks of championship tournaments taking place here as well.  There were a few anglers who mastered the conditions and put up some really good numbers of big bass including Ryan Matylewicz of Pennsylvania. His 194.25 inch two day total won him the grand cash prize of $11,500 and a nice big blue trophy! 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