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.