2026 NYS Summer Classic Tournament

[Finders Keepers]

2026 NYS Summer Classic Tournament

 

Registration for the 2026 NYS Summer Classic is now open! Here are the details for the event this year:

*Runs June 1st through August 31st

*15 Main Species Divisions (Bowfin/Dogfish, Carp, Catfish, Crappie, Lake Trout, LMB, SMB, Northern Pike, Panfish, Pickerel, Rock Bass, Sheepshead/Drum, Steelhead/Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Yellow Perch)

*$75/angler entry

*Payouts based on angler participation

*Three additional add-on events for Salmon, Brown Trout/LL Salmon, & Musky each w/ a $25 entry

*Bass Grand Slam Cash Award (SMB, LMB, Rock Bass)

*Panfish Grand Slam Cash Award (Crappie, Panfish, Yellow Perch)

*Youth Bass Grand Slam Prize (1/2 Day Charter)

*Youth Panfish Grand Slam Prize (1/2 Day Charter)

*Everyone 18 and older who enters will receive a $15 FREE PLAY voucher to the Batavia Downs Casino!

 

NYS Summer Classic (main event only) vs. the Summer LOC Comparison:

(Guaranteed payouts in both with same # of participants, 2,500 for reference)

Summer LOC Grand Prize:     vs.     NYS Summer Classic Grand Slam Winners (2 awards):

          $15,000                                                          $17,000/ea.

Summer LOC 1st Place Awards:      vs.     NYS Summer Classic 1st Place Awards:

       $1,000/ea. (4 divisions)                          $2,500/ea. (15 divisions)

Summer LOC # of Cash Awards:      vs.      NYS Summer Classic # of Cash Awards:

              98 Total Awards                                          287 Total Awards

Summer LOC Total Payout:         vs.         NYS Summer Classic Total Payout:

               $43,000                                                    $168,500

Summer LOC Total Revenue ($42/angler):      vs.      NYS Summer Classic Total Revenue ($75/angler):

                  $105,000                                                                     $187,500

Summer LOC Payout %:     vs.      NYS Summer Classic Payout %:

              41%                                                 89.9% (plus $37,500 in Free Play at Batavia Downs

                                                                                    plus other sponsored goods)

Summer LOC w/ 5,000 anglers:      vs.       NYS Summer Classic w/ 5,000 anglers:

   20.5% w/ same cash prizes                 89.9% w/ all cash prizes about doubling

 

Run on the Fish Donkey platform, the NYS Classic events are not only the most secure, but also offer the following benefits over traditional weight events:

*C&R Option for all fish.

*Live Leaderboards

*Photo/video evidence for every entry w/ auto digital livewell capture.

*Anti-cheating software built-in.

*24/7 fishing opportunity - fish when you want, where you want, without having to stop fishing to make it to a weigh-in.

*Super easy fish entry w/ bump board.

*Low tourney costs to maximize cash payouts.

*Amazing support for technical issues.

*Ability to fish in remote areas without cell coverage.

*No scale/weight issues due to wind, fish drying out, soaking fish, scale variances, etc.

*Anglers can fish by themselves.

*Weighted fish are not an issue.

*No awards ceremony attendance requirement.

 

If you have not fished in one of the NYS Classic Tournament events you are missing out on a lot of fun and excitement, including engaging our youth anglers! To get involved, go to fishdonkey.com, create a profile and log-in, then go to: https://tourney.fishdonkey.com/#/tournament/18825/details

Definitely check out all the events on the platform and enter as many as you want! The same fish entry can be cross-entered into multiple events with a couple clicks in the app without having to do a 2nd entry - so easy!! Best of luck to everyone this coming open water season - HAVE FUN & FISH ON!!

 

If you have any questions please contact me at: (585) 330-0494

 

Edited March 18 by Finders Keepers
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