Presented by
#2
"Reel Tide Classic" Presented by
April 16-17, Tuscaloosa, AL
Awards @ Pop Stroke
Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Roll Tide. Reel Tide.
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In the heart of Crimson Tide country, a new kind of competition is coming to Tuscaloosa! Welcome to the Reel Tide Classic, where championship traditions run deep, legendary waters await, and the Kayak Adventure Series brings its own brand of Saturday showdown to Alabama. Around here, winning is a way of life, and this time, the playing field is on the water!
Home to the mighty Black Warrior River and the sprawling waters of Lake Tuscaloosa, this region offers anglers a championship-caliber mix of river currents, winding creeks, hidden backwaters, and bass-filled reservoirs. Whether you're chasing big largemouth in the shallows or hunting spotted bass in deeper waters, there's more than one way to put together a winning game plan. No sidelines. No timeouts. Just you, your kayak, and the next big bite.
Beyond the fishing, Tuscaloosa brings the energy of one of America's most iconic college towns. From legendary football traditions and Southern hospitality to incredible food, music, and a vibrant downtown, there's plenty for anglers and families to experience when they're off the water.
And when the final lines are out, the competition gives way to a KAS-style celebration, complete with our signature Closing Ceremony Festival and big-screen GoPro highlights, where the biggest catches, boldest plays, and unforgettable moments take center stage as we crown our Reel Tide Classic champions!
The stage is set. The waters are waiting. The Tide is rising.
ROLL TIDE. REEL TIDE.
EVENT DETAILS
Event Details Coming Soon!
DATES & SCHEDULE
All times CST
*(if) any changes are made on this page after it goes live, that could affect the competition portion of the event, they will be updated in red
​​​ WEDNESDAY
OFFICIAL PREVIEW SHOW - 7:30pm - LIVE on the KAS YouTube channel & Facebook pages.
* REMINDER: First 50 anglers to register for the Individual Angler Division receive $100 KAS Sponsors Gift Bag at check-in
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​​​ FRIDAY 4/2
2 WEEK PRACTICE WINDOW BEGINS - Anglers fishing the event (already registered or not) may only spend 4 days on eligible water. Anglers choose their 4 days. ​​​​​
​​​ WEDNESDAY 4/14
WEDNESDAY WELCOME DINNER (Optional for those already in town) - 6:30-8:00pm @ Liberty Park Grille
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​​ THURSDAY 4/15
PRE-FISHING ENDS - 5:00pm - Anglers must be off the water
OPENING CEREMONIES (check-in, registration, food, games, food etc) - 5:00pm-6:30pm @ Liberty Park Grille
REGISTRATION ENDS - 10:00pm (check-in with Tournament Director if you cannot make it - valid reasons only)
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​​​ FRIDAY 4/16
"BASS U BRUNCH" presented by the Native Fish Coalition (FREE breakfast food, seminars & fellowship)
9:00am-11:00am @ Pine Ridge Farms OPTIONAL DONATION is always appreciated to help cover food & venue rental costs.
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9:00am - Food is served
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9:45am - Seminars begin
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GUEST SPEAKER: TBD
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11:00am - Bass U Brunch ends, ID code given out
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TOURNAMENT DAY 1, AFTERNOON SESH
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LAUNCH: @ 1:45pm
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LINES IN: @ 2:00pm
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LINES OUT: @ 6:30pm on Eligible Waters
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FISH PHOTO DEADLINE: @ 8:30pm
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​​​ SATURDAY 4/17
TOURNAMENT DAY 2
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LAUNCH: @ 6:15am
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LINES IN: @ 6:30am
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LINES OUT: @ 3:00pm on Eligible Waters
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FISH PHOTO DEADLINE: 4:15pm
CLOSING CEREMONY MEET UP (Yard Games, Kayak Demos, Food etc): 3:00-5:30pm at Rudolph Event Center
CLOSING CEREMONIES (Awards Show): 6:00pm @ Rudolph Event Center
CLOSING CEREMONIES AFTERPARTY 7:00pm- how long you want to celebrate at Liberty Park Grille
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​​​SUNDAY Drive safe, and we'll see you at our next adventure! ​​
ELIGIBLE WATER MAP
Interactive Eligible Water Map >>>>>>
(Click here for full size map)
Eligible Core Bodies of Water **
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LAKES
Lake Tuscaloosa
Lake Harris
Lake Nicol
Holt Lake
Bankhead Lake (*is an upstream launch boundary)​​
Lake Lurleen
Bibb County Lake
Payne Lake
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​​ RIVERS
Black Warrior River (*is a downstream launch boundary)
Cahaba River (*is an up & downstream launch boundary)
​Sipsey River (*is an up & downstream launch bounary)
North River
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** including all free flowing canals, creeks & rivers feeding in. When scouting (online or in person) track all tributaries upstream from one of the core bodies of water listed above until you hit any of the following man-made obstacles - solid or earthen dam, or road, culvert or pipe etc that you cannot kayak under/over. Any of those points are hard KAS boundaries. However, a "spillway" or "lowhead" type dam is legal in KAS and anglers can fish & access above & below them. They are just "running the river" and are different from "solid or earthen" dams that have water flowing under the dam via a pipe or drain (think neighborhood or farm ponds, private lakes etc) or through larger outflows or turbines on larger public lake dams. If the water above a non-spillway type dam is legal in KAS it will be marked and listed as one of your "core" bodies of water on this page/map. If not, then it is not legal for the event.
Anglers must access "legally" & "publicly." If you find any water, or access, you feel may not be covered by the interactive map, preview video, or rules standards please contact the KAS Tournament Director prior to the event for clarification or risk being DQ'd if it is later deemed to be not eligible. For help determining "public" access reference this GIS Flowchart
OFFICIAL PREVIEW VIDEO
