A new kayak and bass fishing shop has opened in Tyler. ETX Paddlesports, owned by Lance McWhorter, offers American made kayaks from Jackson Kayaks, BlueSky Boatworks, Diablo Paddlesports kayaks, as well as Badfish stand up paddleboards.

A new kayak and bass fishing shop has opened in Tyler.

ETX Paddlesports, owned by Lance McWhorter, offers American made kayaks from Jackson Kayaks, BlueSky Boatworks, Diablo Paddlesports kayaks, as well as Badfish stand up paddleboards.

The store stocks Striker fishing clothing and rain gear in both men’s and women’s styles and sizes, Waterland Co. sunglasses, and a phenomenal selection of bass fishing tackle tailored specifically to the region, according to McWhorter.

“We have a ton of kayak accessories including tackle storage, rigging items, rod holders, accessory and navigational lights, kayak motors including Newport Vessels, Torqeedo, and MotorGuide, Dakota Lithium Batteries, Power Pole shallow water anchor systems, electronics, and professional rigging and installation services, paddles, and personal floatation devices,” he said.

ETX Paddlesports also offers guided kayak fishing trips, exploration trips, and kayak fishing lessons, and will be hosting events at the shop throughout the year.

McWhorter said the idea for the shop came from his own love of kayak fishing and his desire to share his passion with others.

“I have been kayak fishing for well over a decade, and really got into it after coming home from Iraq as a sort of therapy to clear my mind and keep me busy. It was a sport that just captured me,” he said. “There is no way to adequately explain watching the sun rise over the lake from a kayak, or the feeling of fighting a monster largemouth bass from mere inches over the water. It is serene and exhilarating all at the same time; it has been a sport that I just haven’t been able to help sharing with others.”

McWhorter said 2020 saw a huge rise in participation for the sport, and a huge spike in tournament fishing opportunities, accompanied by the technologies to make those tournaments both easier to compete in via tournament scoring applications, and the Catch, Photo, Release (CPR) tournament format.

“Local and regional tournaments rapidly grew in participation, and the national level entities started paying attention, including the legendary fishing organization, Bassmaster, who now runs a national kayak series which is receiving coverage both in print, as well as TV coverage during their Elite Series and Open Series,” he said.

“We in Tyler, live right in the middle of bass fishing heaven, and as an avid competitor in the sport, I realized an empty space existed here, that there was an opportunity to provide kayakers with a spot that they can get into the sport for the first time, or to build that advanced level tournament kayak to move up to the next level,” McWhorter said. “We also wanted to build the ‘neighborhood tackle shop’ which was sorely missed in town, so we brought in some of the best bass fishing tackle and accessories that we could get our hands on.”

“All we really have are big box stores that are usually missing the items that we really want and need, as well as the knowledgeable customer service from not having staff like ours, who actually use these items constantly in East Texas and on the national circuit,” he added.

With the opening on ETX Paddlesports, McWhorter brings a plethora of knowledge on the sport through his own experience and believes it adds to what the shop has to offer.

“I have been fishing the Bassmaster Kayak Series for the last two seasons, and it is absolutely incredible. Just this year alone I have fished in Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, most recently in La Crosse Wisconsin, and am up next in Pennsylvania on the Susquehanna River,” he said. “I think what truly makes us unique as a business is our knowledge and our passion for the sports of bass fishing, and kayaking. We are people who have taken these hobbies and turned them into a profession.”

“We have years of experience in rigging boats, and installing equipment on them. We know what works, what doesn’t, and we care about our fellow and future anglers,” he continued. “We want recreational anglers to have the most perfect days on the water that they can.”

“For competitive anglers, not everyone can afford a hundred thousand dollar bass boat to set their kids up in tournament fishing, we can get them set up for well under 10,” McWhorter said. “On the blossoming professional side of kayak fishing there are so many opportunities available to get out there and make a living doing this and we truly want to help you, or your kids do just that.”

“We’re here to teach and grow this community that we love so much,” he said.

McWhorter recently returned from the 2023 Bassmaster Championship and is currently sitting at 39th in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings, which should earn him a trip to next year’s event.

He said he hopes the opening of ETX Paddlesports will peak community interest in the sport and looks forward to helping spread the work about kayak fishing.

“We are truly here to help grow the sport of kayak fishing, as well as to provide that exceptional customer care and service to all anglers from the banks to the glitter boats,” he said. “Above all we wanted to create a shop where people can just stop by and talk about fishing.”

ETX Paddlesports, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB), is located at 3225 South Southwest Loop 323 and can be reached at 903-630-3433. Hours of operation are Tues. through Sat. from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.etxpaddlesports.com or the ETX Paddlesports Facebook page.