Dakota Lithium Blog

Marvin Forte - Team Dakota Lithium - Kayak Fishing Hometown: Estacada, Oregon Hailing from the Portland Oregon area, Marvin Forte actively pursues multiple freshwater species in his kayaks, traveling all over the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest. He is the Tournament Director for Kayak Fishing Northwest (KFNW), which manages Oregon Kayak Bass Fishing (OKBF), Idaho Kayak Bass Fishing (IKBF), and Washington Kayak Bass Fishing (WAKBF). He’s participated in over 45 kayak fishing tournaments, placing first, second and third in many of them. Marvin is also a prostaff member of Native Watercraft and is on the Next Adventure Kayak Fishing Team. Sport of choice in the winter? Summer? Fishing, all year 'round! What circuits do you compete in? Kayak Bass Fishing...

Ken Wood - Team Dakota Lithium - Kayak Fishing Hometown: Taunton, Massachusetts A lifelong fisherman, Ken Wood began fishing from a kayak in 2007 and competing from one in 2015. He is the founder of Massachusetts Kayak Bassin’, the biggest kayak bass fishing tournament series in the state. He is also a husband, father, Air Force veteran, obsessive music fan, writer, publisher, editor, and dozens of other things. His list of passions is as diverse as it is long. Sport of choice in the winter? Summer? Winter is for family, summer is for fishing. What circuits do you compete in? I compete in events hosted by Kayak Bass Fishing Massachusetts Kayak Bassin' Maine Yak Anglers and other northeast trails I...

Matt Snider - Team Dakota Lithium - Kayak & Ice Fishing Hometown: Jackson, Michigan I am a outdoor enthusiast, outdoor writer, outdoor adviser media adviser, year around tournament angler, and a nature lovers. These passions have provided me with interesting travel locations, spectacular business partnerships, and the ability to capture priceless interactions with nature. If you see me in one of my watercraft or next to my ice shanty, stop by and see how my Dakota Lithium battery going strong powering my equipment. Sport of choice in the winter? Summer? My winter sport choice is ice fishing and open water fishing out of a boat or kayak in the summer. What circuits do you compete in? I compete in various...

Garrett Clark - Team Dakota Lithium - Kayak Fishing Hometown: Elk Grove, California I grew up tournament fishing with my dad and started kayak fishing in 2018. In 2019, I decided to start recording my fishing outings and launched my YouTube Channel (GC Bassin). I'm always looking to improve my skills and setups and I am proud to represent Dakota Lithium in the process! Sport of choice in the winter? Summer? The fishing never stops out here in CA! What circuits do you compete in? Yak-A-Bass From The Depths Hobie BOS Wild West Bass Trail - Kayak Series KBF and maybe BASS - Kayak Series. Wins, Accomplishments, and Big Moments 1st Place - Yak-A-Bass Camanche 10/20/18 3rd Place - From...

Jacob Tombari - Team Dakota Lithium - Kayak Fishing Hometown: Kansasville, Wisconsin I can’t remember a time in my life that I wasn’t fishing. Growing up in the south, I spent most of my life barefoot with a fishing pole in my hand. Whether it was fishing with shrimp off bridges in Florida, or casting from shore into farm ponds in Georgia, fishing has always been passion. About 16 years ago I moved to Wisconsin, and found a whole new love - ice fishing! If you’re looking for me in the winter, you’ll find me on the ice with my wife and kids. Sport of choice in the winter? Summer? Ice fishing in winter What circuits do you compete in?...

Matt Ball - Team Dakota Lithium - Kayak Fishing Hometown: Little Hocking, Ohio Since becoming the first ever Kayak Bass Fishing National Champion in 2016 I have taken pride in my role as an ambassador for the sport of Kayak Bass Fishing. I have since had success competing across the country as one of the top Kayak anglers in the sport. I was blessed to take home 2 Gold medals for team USA in 2019 at the PanAm Kayak Championships. Aside from competing, I have the honor of being the Chaplain for KBF supporting the Kayak fishing community through prayer and encouragement. Sport of choice in the winter? Summer? When not fishing I love to camp with my amazing family...

Rodney Hicks - Team Dakota Lithium - Kayak Fishing Hometown: Palatine, Illinois Kayak tournament angler from Chicago Illinois. Spent early years fishing from Illinois river systems as a kid. Now I’ve spent the past seven years crafting my skills catching green fish throughout the Midwest. Sport of choice in the winter? Summer? Mostly winters are spent working and attending outdoor fishing shows. Summer’s are spent mostly fishing kayak tournaments and traveling. What circuits do you compete in? Kayak Bass Fishing, Kayak Bass League, Great Lakes Kayak Fishing Series. Wins, Accomplishments, and Big Moments Great Lakes Kayak Fishing Series Win 1st place w/ 90 inches May 11, 2019 Midwest Outdoors Cable televised fishing show segment in 2018 and 2019 How did...

Mike Stein - Team Dakota Lithium - Ice Fishing Hometown: Big Lake, Minnesota I am a Minnesota based outdoorsman. I have been a tournament ice angler for 5+ years and have recently moved my talents into the world of guiding. My full-time employment is teaching. My love for the outdoors and teaching has led me to create informative videos on my YouTube Channel, YouBetcha! Outdoors. Sport of choice in the winter? Summer? Ice fishing in the winter, open water fishing in the summer. What circuits do you compete in? I have competed in the Ultimate Panfish League. Taking a break from competing to guide for Thalmann's Guide Service. Wins, Accomplishments, and Big Moments First place on Lower Prior (UPL). Top...

Casey Reed – Team Dakota Lithium – Kayak Fishing Hometown: Goode, Virginia Casey Reed grew up in Bedford County, Virginia. He began kayak fishing is 2012 and it quickly became his passion. Soon after, the competitive side of kayak fishing grabbed his attention. After he discovered Kayak Bass Fishing (KBF), a national kayak fishing trail, Casey started fishing any event with a venue in the mid-Atlantic states. At the same time, Casey started his own traveling tournament trail, the Virginia Kayak Bass Challenge, aiming to expand the availability of tournament competition to new and experienced kayak anglers. Sport of choice in the winter? Summer? Fishing all year round. Bass during the tournament season, and freshwater striper after season ends. What...

Joshua "Mek" Evans – Team Dakota Lithium – Kayak Fishing Hometown: Brunswick, Maryland I am an avid kayak tournament angler that competes on the national, regional, and local levels. I am also the Co-Director of the Mid-Atlantic Kayak Bass Fishing Series. When I am not fishing or working my day job, I am partnering with leaders in my community and advocating for Veteran Service Organizations with a primary focus on those that provide aquatic recreational therapy to combat the effects of PTSD and other service connected disabilities. Sport of choice in the winter? Summer? Fishing 24/7/365 What circuits do you compete in? Mid-Atlantic Kayak Bass Fishing Series Hobie BOS BASS Kayak Division Wins, Accomplishments, and Big Moments Over the past...

Chris Cantwell – Team Dakota Lithium – Kayak & Ice Fishing Hometown: Riverview, Michigan Hello, I am a born and raised Michigander that has always loved the outdoors. Ever since I can remember I have had a fishing pole in my hand trying to catch them Biggins. Fishing is my passion, and there is something about fishing in a kayak that makes it that much more enjoyable. I love being able to show people how to fish that never had and getting them into kayak fishing, the sport we all love! Sport of choice in the winter? Summer? Fishing really is an all year sport. Only down time is waiting for the ice to get thick enough to be safe...

Vincent Ferreri - Team Dakota Lithium - Kayak Fishing Hometown: Rock Hill, South Carolina I am a physical education teacher. Happily married for 11 years, with an amazing seven year old daughter. I love kayak fishing. I have been kayak fishing for about eight years now. I am the founder of Queen City kayak Bass Fishing here in Charlotte. Sport of choice in the winter? Summer? Kayak fishing What circuits do you compete in? QCKBF Native Hobie Wins, Accomplishments, and Big Moments I have won 2 Angler of the Year titles, 2015 and 2016. I have 20 first place finishes. I have qualified for my annual Championship 5 years in a row. How did you start in your sport? (What's...