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.

52nd Annual Awards Banquet

 On Saturday, March 4, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their 52nd Annual Awards Banquet.   The banquet was held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  Members and their families were treated to a meal of lasagna, spaghetti and chicken Alfredo along with salad and bread prepared by Roma’s Italian Restaurant.  For the first time in forty years, Phyllis and I were not able to attend due a case of Covid.  Members were recognized for their achievements during the 2022 hunting and fishing contests.

The first awards to be presented were for the 2022 spring turkey season contest.  The length of the turkey’s beard determined winners. Winning first place was Billy Hensley.  He was the only member entered into the contest that harvested a bird.  Billy received a plaque and a check for a share of the entry fees.

The Top Ten Anglers of the Year were recognized next.  Each angler received a year plate for their perpetual plaque, or if this was their first time to make the Top Ten, they received a perpetual plaque with the year plate attached. Each year an angler makes the Top Ten, he will receive a year plate to be added to his plaque.  The Top Ten Anglers for 2022 were (from number 10 to number 1) Forrest Cave, Mike Williams, Billy Hensley, Billy Latham, Randy Janoe, Craig Bartlett, Kane Miller, Andy Cripe, Judd Thomas, and Bass Angler of the Year, Ellis Silvery.  Ellis received his plate for his perpetual plaque, a plaque for the Angler of the Year, and a check for $100.00.

Fishing season ends each year with the club’s Annual Top Ten Tournament that allows the Top Ten Anglers, along with up to five wild card anglers, to compete against each other in one final tournament.  The winner of the 2022 Top Ten Tournament was Judd Thomas.  Judd received a championship plaque for his win.

The Big Bass of the Year award was presented to Andy Cripe.  Andy caught a bass weighing 7.31 pounds at McGee Creek Lake during the September bass tournament.   Andy Cripe also won the award for the Heaviest Stringer of the Year.  He had a stringer weight of 21.40 pounds that was caught during a tournament in April on Pine Creek Lake.  He was presented with a plaque for each award.

The “100 Pound Club” award goes to members that are able to catch at least one hundred pounds of bass during the club’s bass tournaments in a season.  Fiver members were able to catch over one hundred pounds.  Those members were Craig Bartlett with 101.91 pounds, Kane Miller with 111.60 pounds, Andy Cripe with 115.63 pounds, Judd Thomas with 136.61 pounds and Ellis Silver with 138.24 pounds.  Each received a plaque.

In the club’s deer archery season contest, Judd Thomas won first place honors with Colby Chandler winning the award for second place.  Winners are determined by measuring the buck’s antlers using the Boone and Crockett scoring system.  Both received a plaque and a check for their share of the entry fee money.

Billy Hensley took first place honors in the deer primitive firearms contest.  Billy Latham finished in second place.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.

In the rifle season contest, Billy Hensley won first place and Royce Chandler finished in second place.  Each received a plaque and their share of the entry fee money.

The Grand Slam Award is given to members who are able to harvest a deer in all three seasons; archery, primitive and rifle seasons.  This year, Colby Chandler and little brother, Royce Chandler were able to harvest a deer in all three seasons.   Both received plaques.

Each year the club recognizes a sponsor that consistently supports the club and the Big Bass Rodeo.  This year, two sponsors were recognized and presented a plaque.  The “Sponsor of the Year” award was presented to Simple Simon’s Pizza, owner Jimmy Chandler, in Hugo, and Antlers Pharmacy, Shawna Bingham, owner.

The club’s most prestigious award is the Sportsman of the Year Award.  The winner of this award is determined by a point system based on club participation and success in the field.  The 2022 Sportsman of the Year was Billy Hensley. Billy received a plaque and a check for $100.00.

Each year the club recognizes the president of the club for his service and dedication.  This year, club president Billy Latham, was awarded a year plate for his perpetual plaque acknowledging his service of twenty-six years as club president.

The ladies door prize, a $100.00 prepaid Visa Card, was won by Karlie Hensley.  The men’s door prize, an ABU Garcia Revo XS baitcast reel, was won by Colby Chandler.  As always, every child that attended was awarded a door prize consisting of games, sports balls, fishing equipment and more.

The club’s first bass tournament of 2023 will be at McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, March 11.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Buster Hight boat landing.  Fishing times for the tournament will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, March 9.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and begin at 7:30 p.m.