This month we caught up with a very busy Mike Ortega, founder/tournament director of Northern Virginia Kayak Bass Anglers (NVKBA). The 39-year-old resident of Stafford told us he started kayak fishing in 2025 after his father-in-law introduced his oldest son, Riley, to the sport while he (Mike) was deployed to Afghanistan.
“When I returned home, they invited me to join them on the water, and after catching my first bass from a kayak, I was hooked,” Ortega told W2.
Shortly after, while stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Ortega became involved with Kayak Bass Fishing Tennessee (KBFTN) and the Clarksville Area Kayak Fishing Group (CAKFG).
“Those clubs showed me what makes the kayak fishing community so special. It wasn’t just about fishing. It was about friendships, mentorship, and helping others.”
Still later, when he was stationed at Fort Belvoir in northern Virginia, Ortega said he saw an opportunity to create something similar.
“In 2017, I founded NVKBA to build a club where anglers of all skill levels could compete, learn from one another, and develop lasting friendships. While the club has grown tremendously, our mission has never changed: to build a community where anglers can compete, learn, and create lifelong friendships.”
We asked Mike if he had any mentors or inspirations along the way to NVKBA.
“I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors throughout my kayak fishing journey. The first was my father- in- law and the second were the members of KBFTN and CAKFG reinforced what a strong kayak fishing community should look like by welcoming newcomers and sharing their knowledge.”
“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Chad Hoover. Chad is widely recognized as the person who helped launch kayak bass fishing into what we know it as today through his Kayak Bass Fishing (KBF) national organization. His vision for growing the sport and building community has inspired countless anglers, myself included,” Ortega added.
On a personal level, Ortega noted Hoover has also supported NVKBA in more ways than could be possibly listed here.
“As a KBF Partner Club since 2018, we’ve benefited from his guidance, encouragement, and continued support, including helping provide the insurance coverage that allows clubs like ours to operate with confidence. I’m grateful for everything he’s done for NVKBA and for the sport of kayak fishing.”
Ortega also wanted to recognize the administrators and volunteers, both past and present, who have helped run NVKBA over the years.
“A club like this doesn’t succeed because of one person. It succeeds because of people who volunteer their time, share the workload, and invest in the community. Their dedication has played a tremendous role in making NVKBA what it is today.”
The husband, father and kayak bass angler noted he also carried lessons from his military career about integrity, accountability, and taking care of people into everything done at NVKBA.
We asked Mike what he thought of the ongoing powered kayak trend.
“Powered kayaks are a natural evolution of the sport. They make kayak fishing accessible to more people and allow anglers to cover more water. At the same time, I still appreciate the simplicity and challenge of traditional paddle fishing. Whether you paddle, pedal, or use a motor, we’re all out there for the same reason: to enjoy the outdoors and chase fish.”
As the sport continues to evolve, we’ve discussed the idea of hosting a few “traditional” style events, or perhaps even a separate series, that returns to the roots of kayak fishing. Those events would be limited to paddle kayaks with only basic electronics, leaving out motors, pedal drives, and forward-facing sonar. I think there’s room in the sport for both approaches, and it’s something we’ll be taking a hard look at this offseason as we continue looking for new ways to challenge anglers and grow the club.”
NVKBA fishes a number of tournaments throughout the season and we wondered how Ortega chooses the venues.
“Choosing our trail stops is about much more than finding great fishing. We look for fisheries that can safely accommodate the number of anglers we expect while minimizing congestion at boat ramps and on the water. It’s important to us that we show respect and good sportsmanship to our fellow anglers in boats and along the shoreline.
“The trail is intentionally designed so it doesn’t cater to one type of angler or one style of fishing. We balance reservoirs, tidal rivers, moving rivers, largemouth fisheries, and smallmouth fisheries to challenge anglers in different ways. Whether it’s learning to fish current, adjusting to changing tides, or targeting a different species, every stop presents a new test.
“To be named NVKBA Angler of the Year, you can’t simply excel in one environment. You have to prove you can consistently catch fish in a variety of conditions and fisheries. We believe that creates more complete anglers and makes the title of Angler of the Year something truly earned.”
We asked Ortega to share a story about a great day on the water with your fellow NVKBAs.
“It’s hard to pick just one day, but my favorite events each season are when NVKBA joins other regional clubs for our combined tournaments on the tidal Potomac River. Those events bring together anglers from across the mid-Atlantic and create an atmosphere unlike anything else.
“These events consistently produce the most fish we see all season, making for an exciting day of judging. Fish are coming in every 30 seconds, the leaderboard is constantly changing, and it’s organized chaos behind the scenes. As tournament director, I love it.
“The best part comes after the fishing ends. Everyone gathers around to share stories, talk about the ones that got away, and celebrate each other’s successes. Watching anglers from different clubs come together reminds me what makes the kayak fishing community so special.”
So, where’s Ortega’s favorite place to fish?
“Lake Anna is probably my favorite fishery because of the memories I’ve made there with NVKBA. I also love Virginia’s tidal rivers, where every trip presents a new challenge, and no two days are ever the same.
“Outside of tournaments, I love traveling the east coast in search of new fisheries, chasing smallmouth and largemouth bass, and more recently getting into saltwater kayak fishing for flounder, striped bass and red drum. I enjoy the challenge of learning new waters and new species wherever the road takes me.”
When he’s not fishing, Mike says his time is centered around his family. He enjoys spending time with his wife and children, camping, traveling, and hunting whitetails in Virginia and Pennsylvania. In fact, his love for deer hunting is one of the reasons NVKBA’s tournament season ends before hunting season begins!
6. Where do you want to see the trail in five years as far as growth?
I hope NVKBA continues to be recognized as one of the premier kayak bass fishing trails in the country while maintaining the welcoming family atmosphere that makes it special. My focus is on growing and solidifying the club, strengthening partnerships, promoting conservation, and creating lifelong friendships. If we stay true to those values, I’ll consider that a success.
