Yamaha Rightwaters, which champions environmental stewardship as part of Yamaha’s long-standing commitment to natural resource conservation, will serve as the title sponsor for the growing Bassmaster Kayak Series. The Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX kicks off its 2022 season on Lake Fork Feb. 5.

“The growth of competitive fishing is directly related to the health of the waterways that host the tournaments,” said Martin Peters, Division Manager, Government Relations, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “Like B.A.S.S., Yamaha Rightwaters advocates for conservation and sustainability as a means by which we can continue to enjoy the sport and expand it to larger audiences, including competitive kayak anglers. We look forward to a successful season ahead.”

Yamaha has been a longtime supporter of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail as a premier sponsor and, in 2021, partnered with B.A.S.S. to bring back the Redfish Cup Championship after a 12-year hiatus. The Yamaha Rightwaters sponsorship of the Bassmaster Kayak Series is another example of the brand’s continued support of anglers at all levels and deep commitment to ensuring a bright future for sportfishing.

“The fact that Yamaha Rightwaters advocates conservation and sustainability across all platforms is awesome,” said B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart, who oversees the Kayak Series. “Conservation and sustainability also includes access. These are all things that are very important to the kayak anglers who support B.A.S.S., which makes this a perfect partnership between us all.”

More than 55 million Americans reported fishing at least once in 2020 and 2021. While participation in fishing is at an all-time high, growth of the sport and continued access to healthy waters is vital to budding fishermen, avid anglers and anyone who loves spending time on the water.

Yamaha WaterCraft now offers a fishing platform for its WaveRunners. These and other Yamaha WaterCraft products will be on display at select Bassmater Kayak Series events.

“The Bassmaster Kayak Series is perfectly aligned with our goals to make competitive angling more accessible to the public,” said Yamaha WaterCraft General Manager Bryan Seti, who oversees the marketing and sales of Yamaha WaveRunners and boats in the United States. “Like kayaks, we're seeing more watercraft buyers choose our WaveRunners as an affordable fishing platform, which makes entry into the sport more attainable.”

In its first two years, the Bassmaster Kayak Series has seen increased attention among traditional fishing fans as the trail begins building its own rich history, including a 10 bass total of 209.25 inches — the highest two-day total in TourneyX history — for 2021 Kayak National Champion Mark Pendergraf, who was crowned in front of thousands of fans on the Classic stage, and fishing superstar Mike Iaconelli taking a series victory on the Upper Chesapeake.

Veteran bass anglers, who have long depended on Yamaha for their reliable outboards, are recognizing the benefit of bringing attention to both kayak angling and the sustainability work being done by Yamaha Rightwaters across the industry-leading B.A.S.S. platforms.

“I was very excited when I heard Yamaha Rightwaters was sponsoring the Bassmaster Kayak Series,” said avid kayak angler and Elite Series pro Keith Combs. “It will be a great opportunity for another group of outdoorsmen and women to learn about — and appreciate — what Yamaha is doing to improve and enhance our fishing and boating waters. It really shows Yamaha's commitment to conservation and to anglers at all levels of our sport.”

Full coverage of the 2022 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX and Old Town Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race can be found at Bassmaster.com/Kayak.