Coucoules claims victory at Bassmaster Kayak Series Tournament on Lake Murray
February 28, 2024
Jake Coucoules has won the 2024 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Murray scored by TourneyX with a two-day total of 188.75 inches.
A record-breaking regular season record of 258 kayak anglers from across the nation set out February 24-25 to tame Lake Murray and reel in more than $49,000 in prize money. The event hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country (CCLMC) yielded impressive competitive results. Kayak pro angler Jake Coucoules of Maple Shade N.J., posted a Day 2 score of 89 inches to win the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Murray scored by TourneyX. His two-day total of 188.75 inches edged Ryan Matylewicz of Tunkhannock, Penn., by 4.75 inches and took home the $13,400 top prize.
“This is pretty surreal, but it’s the best moment of my life,” Coucoules said. “I have to thank God because that’s the only way this weekend was possible. I don’t know how everything worked so perfectly for me.” Coucoules said his victory was the culmination of commitment and sacrifice inspired over two decades ago by a fellow New Jersey angler who’d become an industry icon. “This has been my life since I was 5 years old,” he said. “I saw (Bassmaster Elite Series pro) Mike Iaconelli win the (2003) Bassmaster Classic and this is literally all I’ve ever wanted to do.“I’ve put my entire life into this, so for it to all work out is amazing. It’s gotta be God watching over me. I’m just so happy.”
Pennsylvania native, Ryan Matylewicz finished second with 184 inches. Adding to his first-round total of 89.25, Matylewicz recorded Day 2 catches of 19.5, 19.5, 18.75, 18.5, and 18.5 for a total of 94.75. “I was just looking for fish that were getting ready to move up and spawn,” he said. “I was just locating them and trying to force feed them. I had a lot of followers today, but I caught enough of them that mattered.”
Bailey Eigbrett of New York finished third with 183.5 inches. After scoring 87.5 on Day 1, Eigbrett turned in the best performance of Day 2 with 96 inches, comprising five bass that measured 23.5, 20.75, 19, 16.5 and 16.25. Describing his big bass as the largest he’s ever measured in a tournament, Eigbrett said, “I caught him on 6-pound test, so when he came up wallowing, my heartbeat was going!”
Chad Walden of Graniteville, S.C., won the $500 Big Bass award for his 23.5-incher. Walden’s 21-incher broke the big-fish tie with Eigbrett.
Top 10 Rankings:
- Jake Coucoules, NJ – 188.75”
- Ryan Matylewicz, PA – 184.00”
- Bailey Eigbrett, NY – 183.50”
- Josh Stewart, TN – 183.50”
- Wyatt Hammond, NC – 182.00”
- Derek Brundle, MA – 179.75”
- Jason Broach, SC – 178.25”
- Jeremy Heath, NC – 177.75”
- Matthew Conant, MA – 177.25”
- Casey Reed, VA – 177.00”
The Top 5 finishers are qualified to fish the 2025 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship. Full results from the 2024 Yamaha Righwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Murray scored by TourneyX can be found at Bassmaster.com
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events, and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs, and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation, and youth fishing.
About Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board:
CCLMC is the official source for all things Lake Murray Country. To plan your next trip, find information on attractions, dining, hotels, outdoor recreation, fishing, golf, and events. Explore The Top Southern Destinations of Columbia, Richland, Lexington, Newberry, and Saluda. For more information about CCLMC visit LakeMurrayCountry.com or call 803-781-5940 | 1-866-SC-Jewel.
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