Everyday Anglers Get Their Shot: 2026 iKon Tailgate Tour Returns With Four Qualifiers and Championship Boat
Grassroots anglers compete in the 2026 iKon Tailgate Tour by iKon Boats, featuring four Southeast qualifiers, $10K payouts and a championship VLX20 powered by Mercury Marine.
2026 iKon Tailgate Tour Presented by Mercury® Announces Four Qualifying Events and Championship Grand Prize Boat Package
UNITED STATES — iKon Boats announced the return of the 2026 iKon Tailgate Tour presented by Mercury®, a grassroots bass fishing tournament series designed for everyday anglers competing at iconic fisheries across the Southeast.
The 2026 season features four qualifying events followed by a FREE Championship for those who qualify, giving anglers the opportunity to compete for cash payouts and one of the most impressive grand prizes in grassroots tournament fishing. All four qualifying events are Ultimate Angler–sanctioned.
2026 Qualifying Locations
- Harris Chain of Lakes (FL)
- Lake Guntersville (AL)
- Kentucky Lake (KY/TN)
- Lake Lanier (GA)
The Championship Event will be held on Lake Chickamauga (TN).
Qualifying Event Payouts
Anglers may compete in one or multiple qualifiers. Each event offers:
- $10,000 first place
- $20,000 guaranteed purse per qualifier
- Texas Roadhouse $1,000 Big Bass bonus
Championship Grand Prize
The 2026 Tailgate Tour Championship winner will take home a fully rigged 2027 iKon VLX20 powered by a Mercury 250 Pro XS, featuring:
- Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST trolling motor
- Two Humminbird 12-inch XPLORE units
- Minn Kota Precision Charger
- Two 8-foot Power-Pole Blades
- Four MillerTech lithium batteries
- Bob’s Machine hydraulic jack plate
- Gatorbak trailer bunks
- TH Marine accessories (Hot Foot, twin blinker and more)
- SPC custom cockpit flooring
- Tote-Rite motor toter
In addition, the Championship includes a $20,000 guaranteed cash purse paying second through 20th place.
2026 Official Sponsors
iKon Boats, Mercury, Texas Roadhouse, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Power-Pole, MillerTech, Bob’s Machine, Gatorbak, Stewart Products Company (SPC), CPF Lures, TH Marine, Bajio, Rapala and Tote-Rite.
Vendor Booths by Location
Harris Chain of Lakes
- Texas Roadhouse
- CPF Lures
- Power-Pole
- Bajio
- Rapala
Lake Guntersville
- Texas Roadhouse
- CPF Lures
- GTO — Guntersville Tackle & Outdoors
- Bajio
- Rapala
Kentucky Lake
- Texas Roadhouse
- CPF Lures
- Bajio
- Rapala
Lake Lanier
- Texas Roadhouse
- CPF Lures
- Bajio
- Rapala
Championship — Lake Chickamauga
- Texas Roadhouse (providing Championship dinner the night before)
- CPF Lures
- Bajio
- Rapala
The iKon Tailgate Tour is built for grassroots anglers (“no pros”), and competitors are not required to fish from an iKon boat. The series focuses on community, competition and creating unforgettable tournament experiences with major payouts and premium sponsor support.
For full event details, registration and updates, visit: https://ikonboats.com/tgt/
Media & Tournament Contact
Chuck Pippin
Tournament Director — iKon Tailgate Tour
tgt@ikonboats.com
Sources cited in this story
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