2024 Bass Tournament Schedule (Tentative)

 Here is a copy of our 2024 Bass Tournament Schedule.  Dates will not be finalized until permits have been approved by the appropriate agencies for each date. If permits can not be obtained, some dates/lakes may have to be changed.

December 2023 Meeting

 Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their monthly meeting on Thursday, December 14. The 2024 bass tournament schedule was discussed, voted on and approved. As soon as all permits have been approved, a copy of the schedule will be posted here on our Facebook page. The Annual Awards Banquet was set for Saturday, March 2 with the first bass tournament scheduled the next Saturday on March 9. All current officers were nominated for their prospective offices with no challengers opposing them. Board of Directors were also nominated. They are Forrest Cave, Randy Janoe, Joe Janoe, Aubrey Davidson, Terry Thurman, and Colby Chandler. Elections will be held at the January meeting. Also, those members that entered the club's fall deer contest will need to bring their antlers to the January meeting to be measured so that winners may be determined. The club meets the second Thursday of each month. Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Museum and begin at 7:30 pm.

Top Ten Tournament: 9-16-23

 Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club ended the 2023 bass tournament schedule with their Annual Top Ten Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 16.  The tournament was held on Pine Creek Lake. The lake was at normal level and the weather was very nice with moderate temps and a light breeze. This tournament allows the top ten anglers in the club to compete against each other in the final tournament of the year.  Those qualifying for this year’s tournament were, from number one to number ten, Judd Thomas, Ellis Silvey, Billy Hensley, Randy Janoe, Tony Derby, Billy Latham, Johnnie Ivey, Terry Thurman, Forrest Cave and Aubrey Davidson.  The club allows up to five wildcard contestants.  These positions are for members that have not missed more than two regular season tournaments.  Only one member qualified for a wildcard position, Colby Chandler.

Billy Latham won the tournament with a stringer weight of 13.07 pounds.  Billy Hensley finished in second place with a stringer weight of 12.38 pounds.  Third place went to Tony Derby.  His stringer weighed 11.69 pounds.  Aubrey Davidson was fourth with a stringer weight of 11.34 pounds. The fifth and final place was won by Judd Thomas with a stringer weight of 10.91 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Johnnie Ivey.  It weighed 3.22 pounds.  Each received a check for a share of the entry fees and the top ten prize pot.

Now that the bass tournament season has ended, members will turn their attention to the fall deer hunting seasons.  Members wishing to enter the club’s deer season contest must do so before a season begins.  Entry fees are $10.00 per season and can be paid at Silvey’s Tax.

McGee Creek: 9-9-23

 Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their last regular season bass tournament of 2023 on Saturday, September 9.  The tournament was held on McGee Creek Lake.  Fifteen members participated in the event.

Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures at the start of the tournament but quickly warmed as the sun began to rise.  The lake level was 4 inches below normal with a water temperature in the upper eighties.  Catching quality keeper bass proved to be a challenge for most of the anglers although a couple of members did manage to boat a couple of very nice bass.  All fifteen anglers were able to catch a limit of five bass.

Judd Thomas won the tournament with a stringer weight of 12.95 pounds.  Judd also had the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 7.85 pounds.  Terry Thurman placed second with a stringer weight of 10.45 pounds.  Terry also caught a very nice bass that weighed 6.26 pounds.  Billy Hensley finished in third place with a stringer weight of 8.61 pounds.

The club will hold its Annual Top Ten Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 16.  This tournament will pit the top ten anglers against each other with up to five wildcard positions also being allowed to compete.  Those qualifying for this year’s top ten tournament (from number 1 to 10) are Judd Thomas, Ellis Silvey, Billy Hensley, Randy Janoe, Tony Derby, Billy Latham, Johnnie Ivey, Terry Thurman, Forrest Cave and Aubrey Davidson. Only one member meets the qualifications for a wildcard position, Colby Chandler. Wildcard positions are offered to anglers that have not missed more than two tournaments until up to five positions have been filled. Those qualifying for the tournament must attend the club’s meeting on Tuesday, September 12, to pay their entry fee and vote on the lake to be fished.  If they cannot attend, they should send their entry fee with someone to the meeting. If a top ten angler is not able to fish the tournament, their spot will be offered to the next person in the top ten standings.

Entry fees for the fall deer season contest will also be accepted at the Tuesday night meeting.  The club holds a contest for each of Oklahoma’s three deer seasons: archery, primitive and regular gun seasons.  Winners are determined by the size of the deer’s antlers using the Boone & Crockett scoring system.  Entry fees ($10.00 per season) must be paid before a season begins.  Entry fees can also be paid at Silvey’s Tax.  The club will not meet again until the second Thursday in December.

Tournament location change for 9-9-23

 Our club bass tournament scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 9, on Hugo Lake has been changed to McGee Creek Lake, Buster Hight ramp. Fishing times will be "safe light" until 4:00 p.m. After much discussion with officers and board members and putting much thought into this, it was determined that we could not safely unload and load boats at Frazier Point due to the low water level. It was suggested that we try for permits at Sardis Lake. I could not reach anyone at the Corps office and due to time restraints in obtaining permits, both for the ramp and length limit exemptions, the decision was made to move to McGee Creek where oral confirmation was made on permit approval. The actual paperwork has not been completed but I see no problem in getting it done. Please spread the word to our members that might be fishing on Saturday so they will be aware of the change. Thank you.

Pine Creek Tournament: 8-26-23

 

On Saturday, August 26, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Pine Creek Lake.  The lake level was about 1.25 foot above normal with water temperatures reaching the low nineties.  Anglers started the day with mild temperatures and calm winds but that soon changed as the sun came up and the temperature climbed to over 100 degrees. 

Only fourteen anglers entered in the contest.  Eight anglers were able to catch their five fish limit.  Terry Thurman won the tournament with a stringer weight of 12.86 pounds.  Aubrey Davidson finished in second place with a stringer weight of 10.94 pounds.  Billy Latham came in third. His stringer weighed 9.98 pounds.  Billy also caught a bass that weighed 4.09 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament.

The club’s next bass tournament will be the last regular season tournament.  It will be held on Hugo Lake on Saturday, September 9.  Launch site will be the Frazier Creek boat ramp.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 4:00 p.m.  The Top Ten Tournament will be the following Saturday, September 16.  The club will hold its September meeting on Tuesday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.

Sardis Lake tourney: 8-12-23

 Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, August 12, at Sardis Lake.  Only eleven members participated in the tournament.   All eleven anglers were able to catch a tournament limit of five bass.  Afternoon temperatures reached over 100 degrees, which may have been part of the reason for the low turnout.  The lake level was about 4 inches below normal.

Billy Hensley caught a limit of bass that weighed 13.42 pounds to win the tournament.  Randy Janoe, also with a limit, had a stringer weight of 10.66 pounds to place second.  Earl Jones finished in third place with a stringer weight of 10.14 pounds.  Billy Hensley caught a bass that weighed 5.18 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on August 26, at Pine Creek Lake.  Fishing times will from “safe light” to 3:30 p.m.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Lost Rapids boat ramp.

Noon to Noon Bass Tournament: 7/29-30/2023

Twenty-one anglers competed against each other in the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club’s Annual Noon to Noon Bass Tournament held on McGee Creek Lake.  The twenty-four hour marathon began at noon on Saturday, July 29, and ended twenty-four hours later at noon on Sunday, July 30.  A weigh-in was held at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday night.   After weigh-in, members could return to the lake and continue fishing or go home and then return at their leisure to complete the tournament.  The stringer weights from both days were added together to determine the contestants final weight for the tournament.

The weather was very warm, with temps close to 100 degrees and a steady breeze on both days.   The lake level was about 1.5 feet above normal with water temps ranging in the mid-nineties. Catching quantity or quality bass proved to be difficult for most of the contestants. Only seven anglers caught their five fish club limit on Saturday.   Sunday was a little better with eleven anglers catching their limit of five bass.  Terry Thurman caught a bass weighing 5.49 pounds to win the big bass jackpot for Saturday.  Colten Fleming caught a bass that weighed 6.05 pounds on Sunday to win the jackpot.

Terry Thurman won the tournament with a stringer weight of 16.11 pounds.  Colten Fleming finished in second place with a stringer weight of 12.69 pounds.  Forrest Cave took third place with a stringer weight of 9.27 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on Saturday, August 12, at Sardis Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Sardis Cove boat ramp.   Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting that will be held on Thursday, August 10.

Hugo Lake 7-8-23

 

Hugo Lake Bass Tournament

July 8, 2023

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, July 8, at Hugo Lake.  Fourteen members braved the heat to participate in the event.  The lake level was just about one foot above normal level, although the water was very shallow at the Frazier Creek Boat ramp.  The weather was extremely hot and humid with scattered thunderstorms off and on most of the day.  A slight breeze did offer some relief from the heat.  Catching a catching a quality size bass was difficult for most.  Small bass were easier to catch with all but two anglers catching a limit of five bass.

Derrick Chumley managed to catch a limit of bass that weighed 12.75 pounds to win first place in the tournament.  Forrest Cave finished in second place with stringer weight of 11.12 pounds. Aubrey Davidson took third place with a stringer weight of 10.38 pounds.  Aubrey also caught the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 3.76 pounds.

The club’s next event will be the annual Noon to Noon bass Tournament on July 29-30, at McGee Creek Lake.  As the name suggest, the tournament will start at noon on Saturday and end at noon on Sunday.  A weigh-in will be held Saturday night at 9:00 p.m.  Anglers that have a limit of fish are thru fishing until 12:00 midnight.  Anglers that do not have a limit may continue fishing after the weigh-in. Anglers may leave the lake after weigh-in and return at their leisure to finish the tournament. More info on the tournament will be discussed at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, July 13. Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.

Pine Creek Tourney: 6-24-23

 

Pine Creek Bass Tournament

June 24, 2023

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament at Pine Creek Lake on Saturday, June 24.  The day started off with clear skies and a light breeze with a temp of about 70 degrees. The breeze picked up and the temperature rose quickly to the mid-nineties.  The lake was about 2.6 feet above normal. Catching keeper bass was not too difficult as fourteen of the twenty-three anglers that were entered caught their club limit of five bass.

Michael Boren won the event with a five fish limit that weighed 12.86 pounds.  Johnnie Ivey took second place with a five fish limit weighing 11.62 pounds.  Ellis Silvey finished in third place, also with a five fish limit that weighed 11.41 pounds.  Eric Baskin caught the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 3.50 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on Saturday, July 8, at Hugo Lake.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 3:30 p.m.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Frazier Creek boat ramp.

Sardis Lake, 6-10-23:

 

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club started their bass tournament on Sardis Lake with a light breeze and clear skies but that was soon to change. The tournament was held on Saturday, June 10.  By 7:30, dark clouds rolled in along with heavy rainfall and very strong winds.  Anglers took cover wherever they could.  Seventeen members were competing in the bass tournament.  Storms moved through most of the morning but by noon, the weather began to improve. The bite was slow; however, some were able to put together a decent stringer. Only eight members were able to catch and weigh a limit of five bass.  Three members were unable to catch a single bass.

Billy Hensley won the tournament with five bass that weighed 8.94 pounds.  Ellis Silvey came in second with a five fish limit that weighed 8.01 pounds.  Forrest Cave finished in third place, also with five fish that weighed 7.73 pounds.  Forrest also caught the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 5.59 pounds.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Pine Creek Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, June 24.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 3:00 p.m.   Launch site will be Lost Rapids Park.  Members are reminded that the club will be frying fish for the Antlers Homecoming on Saturday, June 17.  Any member that bring their cooker to help cook will be appreciated.  If you don’t have a cooker, you can still show up and help. 

Husband-wife bass tourney 2023

Husband-Wife Bass Tournament

On Saturday, June 3, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their annual Husband-Wife Bass Tournament at McGee Creek Lake.  Couples did not have to be husband and wife but did have to be a male & female team to compete.  The day started off cool with temps in the sixties and a light drizzle but quickly warmed up to the low eighties.

Only 4 anglers were able to catch a five fish limit of bass.  The team of Tony Derby and Karie Larkins won the tournament with a stringer weight of 12.90 pounds.  Don and Sherry Deems finished in second place with a stringer weight of 8.90 pounds.  Finishing in third place was Bradley Mills and Amanda Young.  They had a stringer weight of 4.54 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Tony Derby.  It weighed 5.10 pounds.

In the ladies big bass division, Sherry Deems took top honors with a bass weighing 3.28 pounds.   The second place big bass caught by the ladies weighed 1.36 pounds and was caught by Karie Larkins.  Finishing in third place, with a bass weighing 1.16 pounds, was Amanda Young.  Tina Green placed fourth with a bass that weighed 1.05 pounds.  Wendy Cave took the fifth and final place with a bass that weighed .51 pounds.  Each lady will receive a plaque at the club’s next meeting.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Sardis Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, June 10, at the Sardis Lake, Sardis Cove boat ramp.    Starting time for the tournament will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, June 8.  This is a club tournament and is open only to club members.

Members that entered the spring turkey contest are reminded to bring their turkey’s beard to the monthly meeting to be measured so contest winners can be determined.

Hugo Lake Tourney: 5-20-23

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, May 23, at Hugo Lake. The lake level was about two feet above normal and rising due to some heavy rainfall upstream on Friday.  The weather was nice, with moderate temperatures, cloudy skies and a moderate north wind.  Fishing was fair, with most anglers finding some keeper bass.  Only thirteen anglers entered in the tournament and all but one managed to catch a keeper bass.  Only three anglers were able to catch a limit of five bass.

 Ellis Silvey won the tournament with a stringer weight of 9.64 pounds.  Johnnie Ivey finished in second place with a stringer weight of 8.74 pounds.  The third place stringer was caught by Randy Janoe.  His stringer weighed 8.10 pounds. Randy also caught the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 3.76 pounds.

 The club’s next event will be the Annual Husband-Wife Bass Tournament on June 3, at McGee Creek Lake.  Launch site will be the Potapo boat ramp. Fishing times will be from 7:00 until 2:00.  Teams do not have to be a husband and wife couple but do need to be a male and female team.  One member must be a current club member.  The entry fee is $25.00 per person. This takes place on Oklahoma’s free fishing weekend so a fishing license is not necessary.  Each team member will be able to keep 5 bass of any size with the tournament permit.  Stringers weights of each team member will be added together to determine stringer weights and winners.  First, second and third place prizes will be awarded.  Also, plaques will be awarded to the ladies, first through fifth place, for their biggest bass.  Members that do not have a partner may fish, but can only compete for the big bass prize.

Free Youth Fishing Tournament: 5-13-23

On Saturday, May 13, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their annual free youth fishing tournament.  The tournament was held at McGee Creek Lake.  Thirty-two young anglers competed in the event.  The young anglers enjoyed nice weather, after a rainy start, and most were able to catch a few fish, with perch being the most common catch of the day. The youths could catch and weigh in any legal species of fish.

Levi Calicoat was the first-place winner.  Levi had a stringer weight of, and this is not a typo, 44.95 pounds.  Levi also caught a carp that weighed 21.95 pounds, once again not a typo, to win the plaque for the biggest fish caught during the tournament.  Kyia Holiman finished in second place with a stringer weight of 17.43 pounds, which was also a large carp.  Nolan Cannon caught the third-place stringer.  It weighed 12.60 pounds. These young anglers each received a plaque and a prize.  All of the other contestants also received a prize, regardless of whether they caught a fish or not.  There were enough prizes available that all that attended the hotdog cookout actually received two prizes each. The young anglers were allowed to fish with live bait or artificial lures. They could also fish from a boat or from the shore.  After the tournament was over, all that attended, along with their parents, were treated to a hotdog cookout with all the trimmings and soft drinks. Over sixty adults and children were served.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Hugo Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, May 20.  Fishing will begin at “safe light” or as soon as everyone is unloaded, and will end at 3:00 p.m. The finish time may be extended to 3:30, depending on how long it takes to get everyone unloaded and possible cloud cover affecting the time that “safe light” will occur.  The tournament will launch from the Frazier Creek boat ramp and you must be a member to compete.

McGee Creek 5-6-23

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club started their bass tournament on McGee Creek Lake with mild temperatures and a light breeze.  The day heated up rapidly and the wind did not stay light for long. The tournament was held on Saturday, May 6.  Fishing proved to be pretty good for most of the anglers.  Sixteen of the twenty-three anglers that were entered managed to catch a limit of five bass.  A total of 145.43 pounds of bass were caught, weighed and released.

Tony Derby won first place with a stringer weight of 17.16 pounds. Finishing in second place was Judd Thomas.  Judd had a stringer weight of 16.50 pounds and he also had the big bass of the tournament with a 5.44 pound bass.  Jesse Ayers was third with a stringer weight of 15.46 pounds.

The club’s next event will be the annual free youth fishing tournament.  It will be held on Saturday, May 13, at McGee Creek Lake.  Launch site will be the Buster Hight boat ramp.  Fishing times will be from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Any youth that is 16 years old or younger may participate.  The young anglers can fish with artificial or live bait.  They may fish from a boat, the shore or the fishing pier located in Buster Hights Park. Adults with the children should not fish but only assist the young anglers.  Any legal fish may be kept and weighed for their stringer weight.  After fish have been weighed, the young anglers and their parents will be treated to a hot dog cookout with soft drinks and all the trimmings at the pavilion in Buster Hights Park.  As always, prizes will be awarded until the supply of prizes is exhausted.

The club will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, May 11.  Members who entered the spring turkey contest are reminded season will end on May 16.  Turkey beards will be measured during the June meeting to determine winners.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and begin at 7:30 p.m.

Top Ten Standings: 4-23-23

 

52nd Annual Big Bass Rodeo

On April 22-23, the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club hosted the 52nd Annual Big Bass Rodeo on Pine Creek Lake.  Seventy boats with one hundred forty-one 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 fair with high temps in the low seventies on Saturday but it was cooler on Sunday with light rain in the morning.   The lake level was near normal and fishing was good, with almost every angler weighing in a bass over the 16 inch minimum length for the tournament .

Amber Murphy won the tournament with a bass that weighed 4.56 pounds.  For her first place finish, she received 25% of the entry fees plus an additional $300.00 from Hank’s in Rattan. In a rare occurrence, there was a tie for second place.  Matthew Dial and Josh Hardy both caught a bass that weighed 4.23 pounds.  Second and third place money was added together and split evenly between the two. In addition to their share of the entry fee money, each received 150.00 courtesy of Jim Ray’s Quick Stop in Antlers and Thomas Land Work in Antlers.  Fourth place was won by Racin Hilton with a bass weighing 4.10 pounds.  Keegan Bohanan finished fifth with a bass weighing 3.99 pounds and received a share of the entry fees.  Each received a trophy, courtesy of FirstBank.

Also this year, prizes were awarded to anglers that were age twelve and under and to anglers age 13-15.  Tadpole’s Marine in Hugo and Mead Oklahoma sponsored the youth division and awarded the winner in each division $200.00 for their big bass. The 12 and under division was won by Kallen Hobbs with a bass of 3.61 pounds.  Kallen was awarded $200.00 from Tadpole’s Marine and also a plaque, courtesy of Kiamichi Kreations.  Racin Hilton won the 13-15 age division with a bass that weighed 4.10 pounds. Racin received a plaque and $200.00.

Tadpole’s Marine also awarded the angler that was closest to 4.00 pounds, without going over, a cash prize of $100.00.  Keegan Bohanan won this prize with a bass that weighed 3.99 pounds.  Mill’s Quick Lube and Wash in Antlers awarded $200.00 the angler that had the lightest bass over 16” in length.  This prize went to Kenny Briggs for his bass weighing 1.77 pounds.  After prizes had been awarded, a drawing was held for an ABU Revo SX bait casting reel donated by Janoe’s Garage, Used Cars & MinnKota Service Center.  Steffan Gribnitz was the winner of the reel.

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 over two-thirds of the anglers were 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-two years.

Club members will hold a bass tournament on May 6, at McGee Creek Lake.  Launch site will be the Potapo boat ramp.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” to 3:30 p.m.

April 2023 Meeting

 Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their monthly meeting on Thursday, April 13. Members voted to allow their regular members to weigh in stringers on both days and combine the totals to add to their yearly total. In the past, members could count whichever day was larger, but not both days. Bass must still be at least 16" in length. Rule 14 of the Big Bass Rodeo rules was modified to say that ties for a cash prize can be distributed equally if all those involved in the tie agree to do so. If all do not agree, the tie will be decided by a coin toss or number draw. Also, club members voted to help sponsor the Antlers Archery Team and the Rattan Archery Team by donating $250.00 to each organization to help cover their expenses while traveling to the National Archery Competition that will be held in May at Louisville, Kentucky. Both teams had archers that qualified for the national competition. Turkey season opens on Sunday, April 16. Members wishing to enter the club's turkey contest must have their entry fee paid before season begins. The entry fee is $10.00 and can be paid at Silvey's Tax.

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Big Bass Rodeo Update

 The 52nd Annual Big Bass Rodeo will be held on its original date of April 22-23. The response to my pole was about 58% to have it on the original date to 36% voting to postpone. About 6% didn't care either way. This was based on response to the Facebook pole, text, messages and calls to me. Corps officials say that the lake level should be at or close to normal by BBR time. Boat ramps and camping areas should be open the 18th. If you received an email refunding your camping deposit, you might try again to book for the 18th or later.

Hugo Lake 4-8-23

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, April 8, at Hugo Lake. The lake level was about one and a half feet above normal with water temps in the low sixties.  The day started off fairly cold with temps in the upper forties but quickly warmed to the mid-seventies.  Catching bass after the passing of a cold front and with the lake level falling can be challenging and this proved true for many of the tournament anglers.  Only five anglers were able to catch a limit of five bass.  Eleven anglers were unable to catch a single keeper bass.

Derick Chumley won the tournament with a five fish limit that weighed 12.52 pounds.  Ellis Silvey finished in second place with a stringer weight of 9.67 pounds.  The third place stringer was caught by Hank Elliott.  His stringer weighed 9.43 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Jon Tucker and weighed 3.86 pounds.

The club’s next tournament is scheduled to be the Annual Big Bass Rodeo on April 22-23.  However, with the extremely high lake level and camping areas under water, plans are being made to postpone the Big Bass Rodeo until June 24-25. If permits for the tournament can be approved by the Corp of Engineers, it will be postponed. Area merchants have been very generous with their donations and 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 all of Oklahoma will open on April 16 and will run through May 16.  The club holds a spring turkey hunting contest.  Members wishing to enter the contest must do so before season begins.  The entry fee for the contest is $10.00 and can be paid at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, April 13, or at Silvey’s Tax.

Sardis Tourney: 3-25-23

On Saturday, March 25, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club competed in a bass tournament on Sardis Lake. Anglers were faced with cool temperatures and dense fog as day broke over the lake with visibility down to about 30-40 yards.  The start of the tournament was delayed thirty minutes due to the fog. The lake level was about two and a half feet above normal with the water temperatures in the mid to upper fifties.  The fog finally lifted about 9:30 and the temperatures warmed quickly. Only six anglers were able to catch a five fish limit and seven anglers were unable to boat a single keeper.

Randy Janoe won first place with a five fish limit that weighed 12.28 pounds.  Randy also caught a 7.29 pound bass to win big bass of the tournament.  Judd Thomas came in second with a stringer weighing 10.04 pounds.  Brady Janoe finished in third place with a stringer weight of 10.03 pounds.  Anglers weighed 59 bass for a total weight of 87.15 pounds.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Hugo Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, April 8.  Launch site for the tournament will be Frazier Point boat landing.  Fishing times will be from 7:00 am until 4:00 pm.

The club’s next monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  One of the main items to be discussed during the next meeting will be the club’s 52nd Annual Big Bass Rodeo.  This year’s Big Bass Rodeo is scheduled to be held on April 22-23 on Pine Creek Lake but may have to be postponed to a later date due to the extremely high lake level.  A decision will be made at the club’s April meeting. Check our Facebook page or web page at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com for updates.

McGee Creek 3-11-23

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their first bass tournament of the year on Saturday, March 11.  The tournament was held on McGee Creek Lake.  Twenty-seven members competed in the event.  It was a cool morning with heavy drizzle but by noon things started to warm up nicely with temperatures reaching the upper sixties by weigh-in time.  Catching quality bass proved to be difficult for most, however, a few members were able to catch a nice bass.  Only five of those entered were unable to put a single keeper bass in the boat.  Eight anglers were able to catch a limit of five bass. 

Jon Tucker won the tournament with a five fish limit that weighed 12.60 pounds. One of those bass weighed 7.02 pounds which also gave Jon the big bass of the tournament.  Brady Janoe finished in second place with a five fish limit that weighed 10.92 pounds.  Aubrey Davidson finished in third place with two fish that weighed 6.61pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament will be on Saturday, March 25, at Sardis Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be Sardis Cove ramp.  Fishing times will be from 7:00 until 4:00.  

 

March Meeting 2023

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their monthly meeting on Thursday, March 9. Members voted on and approved a new pay scale for their bass tournaments. This year, first place will receive 40% of the entry fees, second 30%, third 20% and the club will retain 10% to help cover tournament permits and other fees. The entry fee for tournaments this year is $25.00 plus an optional $5.00 big bass pot. Memberships are $20.00 per year. The club's first tournament is this Saturday, March 11, at McGee Creek Lake. Launch site is Buster Hight Ramp & fishing times will be from 8:00 until 4:00. Club tournaments are individual tournament, not team tournaments. More than one member may be in a boat but anglers need to keep their fish separated. With a tournament permit, anglers will be permitted to keep five bass of any size. Anglers will be given the permit when they pay their entry fee. Fish must be kept in an aerated livewell and must be brought to the scales in a weigh-in bag with water. After fish are weighed, they must be released back into the lake immediately. Dead fish can NOT be culled & must be retained as part of your five fish limit. The club will fish Sardis Lake on Saturday, March 25. Launch site will be Sardis Cove Ramp. Fishing times will be from 7:00-4:00. The next tournament after that will be at Hugo Lake on April 8. Launch site will be Frazier Creek Ramp and fishing times will be from 7:00-4:00.