50th Big Bass Rodeo

 

On April 24-25, the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club hosted the 50^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo on Pine Creek Lake.  Seventy-one boats with one hundred thirty-eight anglers competed in the big bass tournament.  Every contestant received a free cap with the Big Bass Rodeo logo on it, courtesy of Pruett’s Food and AmeriState Bank.  The weather conditions were pretty nice with high temps in the seventies and stiff breezes.  The lake, however, was approximately eleven feet above normal and rising after strong storms on Friday night before the tournament.   Catching a quality bass was difficult with only two bass over four pounds being caught.

Rodney Roden won the tournament with a bass that weighed 4.44 pounds.  For his first place finish, Kynan received over $1300.00, which was 25% of the entry fees plus an additional $500.00 from Sterling Hill Financial in Denison, TX. This was a donation to be added to the first place prize.   Finishing in second place, with a bass weighing 4.37 pounds, was Jamie Flynn.  In addition to his share of the entry fee money, Jamie received 200.00 from Southeast Sanitation, Seth Wood, owner.  Third place was won by Michael Shields with a bass weighing 3.96 pounds.  Michael received an additional $100.00 from Hank’s Store in Rattan.  Curtis Daniels caught a 3.61 pound bass to take fourth place.  Eric Hutsell finished fifth with a bass weighing 3.55 pounds.  Each received a trophy, courtesy of FirstBank, and a check for their share of the entry fees.

Also this year, prizes were awarded to anglers that were age twelve and under.  Tadpole’s Marine in Hugo awarded $300.00 to Racin Hilton for his bass that weighed 3.18 pounds.  Family Affairs Outdoors with Micheal and Shannon Wheeler, awarded Reed Hess with 200.00 for his second place finish.  His bass weighed 2.54 pounds.   Family Affairs Outdoors also provided $100.00 for 3^rd place which was won by Kooper Holiman with a bass weighing 2.24 pounds. Kiamichi Kreations provided plaques for the top three youth anglers and custom printed Big Bass Rodeo t-shirts for 4^th and 5^th place. Sara Headly placed 4^th with a 2.00 pound bass and Michael Murphy, jr. finished in 5^th with his bass that weighed 1.68 pounds.

Since this was the 50^th anniversary of the Big Bass Rodeo, the club awarded the angler that finished in 50^th place an award of $50.00. The angler finishing in 50^th place was Andy Cripe.  Tadpole’s Marine awarded the angler that was closest to 4.00 pounds, without going over, a cash prize of $100.00.  Michael Shields won this prize with a bass that weighed 3.96 pounds.  After prizes had been awarded, a drawing was held for an ABU SX bait casting reel donated by Janoe’s Garage.  Earl Jones was the winner of the reel.

A plaque was awarded to David Smith for being the only member that has attended all fifty Big Bass Rodeo Tournaments.  The first tournament was held in 1972 and David has not missed a single one.  Happy 50^th Big Bass Rodeo Anniversary to David.

Anglers that placed sixth or lower were awarded prizes or gift certificates provided by area merchants.  Businesses had donated prizes, gift cards or cash for prizes.  Our local merchants were so generous that every angler that weighed in a bass over 16” in length and stayed for the awards presentation was able to receive a prize.  Those prizes included items such as rods, reels, lures, marine batteries and other items related to outdoor activities. The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club would like to say “Thank you” to all these merchants.  Their support is what has kept this tournament going for fifty years.

Club members will hold a bass tournament on May 8, at McGee Creek Lake.  Launch site will be Buster Hight landing.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” to 3:30 p.m.

Hugo Tournment 4-10-21

 The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, April 10, at Hugo Lake. The lake level was about six inches above normal with water temps in the low sixties.  The day started off clear and cool after the passing of a cool front earlier in the night.  Catching bass after the passing of a cold front can be challenging and this proved true for many of the tournament anglers.  Only four anglers were able to catch a limit of six bass.  Ten anglers were unable to catch a single keeper bass over the fourteen inch minimum length limit.

Billy Latham won the tournament with a five fish stringer that weighed 15.02 pounds. Billy also caught the big bass of the tournament. It weighed 5.17 pounds.  Judd Thomas finished in second place with a stringer weight of 14.84 pounds.  The third place stringer was caught by Ellis Silvey.  His stringer weighed 14.24 pounds.  .

The club’s next tournament will be the Annual Big Bass Rodeo.  It will be held on Pine Creek Lake on April 24-25.  This is the 50^th consecutive year that the club has held the big bass tournament.  Final preparations for the Big Bass Rodeo have been made and area merchants have been very generous with their donations.  There will be lots of cash, trophies and prizes to be won.  For more information check out the club’s Facebook page or the club’s web page at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.

Turkey season for the southeast counties of Oklahoma will open on Monday, April 19.  The club holds a spring turkey hunting contest.  Members wishing to enter the contest must be done before season begins.  The entry fee for the contest is $10.00 and can be paid at Silvey’s Tax.

Big Bass Rodeo 50th Anniversary Tees

 Don't forget to order your 50th Anniversary Big Bass Rodeo t-shirt. Sizes adult small thru adult XXXL. $15.00 for small thru XL. $17.00 for XXL & XXXL. Shirts must be ordered by noon on Friday, April 16. To place an order, just message the club or message me, Billy Latham. I do accept Paypal. If you do not use Paypal, we can make other arrangements. There will NOT be extra shirts printed for sale at the BBR. Shirts will have a full color print on a light silver gray A4 Performance Cooling Crew tee.