The 2026 New Mexico Bass Nation Kayak (NMBNK) season featured plenty of memorable moments, as first-time competitors joined the ranks of seasoned anglers to produce close tournament finishes, battle challenging fishing conditions and land a number of personal-best catches across the state’s premier kayak fishing trail.
Season opens strong at Conchas
Thirty-one anglers competed in the opener March 21 at Conchas, where 131 fish were caught. Noah Hoffmann took first place with 84.5 inches, followed by Richard Ross in second with 81.75 inches and Robert Williams in third with 80 inches. Tim Hargrove earned Big Bass honors with an 18.75-inch largemouth bass.
Ramey sweeps Carlsbad Road Runner
The second event, the Carlsbad Road Runner on April 11, was nearly canceled because of possible thunderstorms. Anglers were allowed to fish from Brantley to Six Mile Dam. Carlsbad angler Matt Ramey won with 87.5 inches and secured Big Bass with a 21.25-inch largemouth. Jason Hoffman placed second with 84 inches, while Chance Hubbard finished third with 83.75 inches.
Tough fishing tests State Championship field
At the NMBNK State Championship at Elephant Butte on April 17, 30 anglers combined to catch 30 fish. Hubbard found five fish totaling 78.2 inches to win the title. Jeff O’Brain placed second with 69 inches, and Israel Valles finished third with 68 inches. Valles also landed a personal-best 22.5-inch largemouth to win Big Bass.
Vannoy leads at Navajo Lake
The fourth event took the series north to Navajo Lake on June 6, where 16 anglers caught 43 fish. Sean Vannoy won with 78 inches. First-time tournament angler Matthew Chavez finished second with 74.25 inches, and Robert Williams placed third with 69.5 inches. Terry Dohr earned Big Bass with a 17.75-inch smallmouth.
Youth anglers return to Conchas
In the Youth State Championship rematch at Conchas on July 18, Artesia’s Jonathan Chavez won with catches totaling 52.75 inches. Kaden Corbell placed second with 26.75 inches, while Patrick Corbell took third and Big Bass with a 14.5-inch largemouth.
Club Classic decides season honors
The season concluded with the two-day NMBNK Club Classic Championship on Sept. 26-27, which combined each angler’s best five fish from each day. Noah Hoffmann won with 10 fish totaling 164 inches and claimed Big Bass with an 18.2-inch largemouth. Williams finished second with 10 fish totaling 148 inches, and John Widner placed third with 146.25 inches.
The event also determined the NMBNK Angler of the Year. In a race decided on the championship’s second day, Hoffmann finished first with 1,001 points. Richard Castellese, the 2025 Angler of the Year, and Michael Napie tied for second with 995 points each.
Anthony Barrera is the NMBNK’s tournament director.
