Photography by Mark Cisneros
Alabama’s Nick Dyer captured the 2025 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship at Chickamauga and Nickajack Lakes, totaling 200.75 inches over two days. His victory highlights his skill, ingenuity, and the power of a self-customized Newport NV trolling motor in competitive kayak fishing.
Dominating the Tournament
Dyer, from Phenix City, Ala., didn’t expect to contend for the Top 10 when he arrived Friday. Yet he quickly proved his dominance:
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Day 1: 101.25 inches, including a 22-inch largemouth and four smallmouth over 19.5 inches
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Day 2: 99.5 inches, with four brown bass and a largemouth
“This is amazing. To win my first national event, and for it to be this event … dreams came true, and prayers were answered,” Dyer said.
Mastering the Lakes with Strategy and Ingenuity
A river angler at his core, Dyer focused on two key spots below the Watts Bar tailrace:
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A hard point at a tributary mouth where current and wind trapped baitfish
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A secondary area that proved even better after some overnight rain
He relied on a Spro RkCrawler to crank up consistent bites, targeting a depth between 8 and 12 feet of water.
“When you get the right bites, and none of them get off, it’s a great thing. The smallmouth were in a feeding frenzy. It was a perfect storm, and I found the perfect bait,” Dyer explained.
Newport NV Trolling Motor Powers the Win
Dyer’s self-customized Newport NV trolling motor gave him an edge across the tournament waters. By combining Newport’s trusted reliability with personal innovation, Dyer showcased how ingenuity and legacy technology drive the future of kayak fishing.
“Knowing the water, reading the conditions, and using equipment you trust, like my Newport motor, makes all the difference,” Dyer said.
Runner up Runs NK180
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Joshua Sharp (TN) – Josh's original NK180 propelled him to 2nd place, with 197 inches, plus the Big Bass of the tournament with a 24-inch largemouth.
Legacy, Innovation, and the Future of Fishing
Nick Dyer’s victory is a perfect example of how skill, innovation, and Newport’s tried-and-true motors work together to push kayak fishing forward. His championship demonstrates that combining proven gear with personal ingenuity opens new possibilities on the water.