53rd Big Bass Rodeo

On April 20-21, the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club hosted the 53rd Annual Big Bass Rodeo on Pine Creek Lake.  Sixty-six boats with one hundred twenty-two 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.  Angler numbers were down slightly this year, in part to the weather forecast for Saturday of the tournament. The weather forecast called for rain and thunderstorms with cooler temperatures and they were spot on. Only the die-hard anglers showed up to fish in these conditions.

Trent Tollett won the tournament with a bass that weighed 6.14 pounds.  For his first place finish, he received 25% of the entry fees plus an additional $200.00 from H2O Depot in Antlers. Eric Baskin finished in second place with a bass weighing 4.99 pounds. He received a check for 20 percent of the entry fees.  Third place honors went to Kris Reed with a bass weighing 4.86 pounds. Fourth place was won by Kynan Hobbs with a bass weighing 4.11 pounds.  Forrest cave finished fifth with a bass weighing 3.95 pounds. Each angler received a share of the entry fees.  Also, each received a large 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 Cooper Holiman with a bass of 3.03 pounds.  Cooper was awarded $200.00 from Tadpole’s Marine. Racin Hilton won the 13-15 age division with a bass that weighed 3.26 pounds. Racin receive $200.00 from Tadpole’s Marine.  Each received a plaque, courtesy of Kiamichi Kreations.

Tadpole’s Marine also awarded the angler that was closest to 4.00 pounds, without going over, a cash prize of $100.00.  Forrest Cave won this prize with a bass that weighed 3.95 pounds.  Mill’s Quick Lube and Wash in Antlers awarded $100.00 the angler that had the lightest bass over 16” in length.  There was a three-way tie for this award. Tyler Self, Triston Murphy and Peyton Cave each caught a bass that weighed 1.82 pounds. The 100.00 dollar prize was split and each received $35.00.  After prizes had been awarded, a drawing was held for a Lew’s KVD bait casting reel donated by Janoe’s Garage, Bassin Buddies baits & MinnKota Service Center.  Billy Latham 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 every angler that weighed a bass over 16 inches in length 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-three years.

Club members will hold a bass tournament on May 4, at McGee Creek Lake.  Launch site will be the Buster Hights boat ramp.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” to 3:30 p.m.

Hugo Lake Bass Tournament

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, April 6, at Hugo Lake. The lake level was near normal and falling with water temps in the low sixties.  The day started off with fairly mild temperatures and a light breeze that gradually turned into a strong wind, with gust up to 35 mph. Despite the gusty winds, a few anglers were able to put together a descent stringer of bass.  Of the twenty-three anglers that fished, thirteen were able to catch their five fish limit. Only two anglers were unable to boat a single keeper.

Ellis Silvey won the tournament with a five fish limit that weighed 14.14 pounds.  Billy Hensley finished in second place with a stringer weight of 13.55 pounds.  The third place stringer was caught by Judd Thomas.  His stringer weighed 12.55 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Randy Janoe and weighed 4.38 pounds.

The club’s next tournament is scheduled to be the Annual Big Bass Rodeo on April 20-21.  The tournament will be held on Pine Creek Lake with headquarters at the pavilion in Littler River South Park. 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 11, or at Silvey’s Tax.

Sardis Lake 3-23-24

 

On Saturday, March 23, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club competed in a bass tournament on Sardis Lake. Anglers were faced with cool temperatures, about 42 degrees, and a brisk north wind at the start of the tournament. Twenty-three members competed in the tournament. Twelve anglers were able to catch a five fish limit and five anglers were unable to boat a single keeper.

Billy Hensley had a day that most anglers can only dream about. Billy won the tournament with a five fish limit that weighed 34.81 pounds. That’s an average weight of nearly seven pounds per bass. He also caught the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 9.40 pounds.  Congratulations Billy Hensley on a remarkable catch.  Finishing in second place was Aubrey Davidson.  Aubrey had a stringer weight of 11.99 pounds.  Third place honors went to Eric Baskin. His stringer weighed 11.15 pounds.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Hugo Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, April 6.  Launch site for the tournament will be Frazier Point boat landing.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 4:00 pm.

The club’s next monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, April 11, 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 53rd Annual Big Bass Rodeo.  This year’s Big Bass Rodeo is scheduled to be held on April 20-21. Check our Facebook page or web page at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com for updates.

McGee Creek: 3-9-24

 

McGee Creek Bass Tournament

March 9, 2024

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their first bass tournament of 2024 on Saturday, March 9.  The tournament was held on McGee Creek Lake.  Eighteen members participated in the event. After a very warm week, winter blew in and let us know that it was not over yet.  The temperature at the start of the tournament was about 40 degrees with a stiff north wind.  Despite these conditions, a few anglers were able to put together some nice stringer weights.

Twelve members were able to bring fish in for the weigh-in.  Six members had their limit of five bass. Chuck Beck won the tournament with a stringer weight of 9.89 pounds.  Judd Thomas finished in second place with a stringer weight of 7.11 pounds. Billy Hensley came in third.  His stringer weighed 6.82 pounds.  Kindel Holiman had the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 3.57 pounds.

The club’s next tournament will be on March 23, at Sardis Lake.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, March 14.  The club meets at the Wildlife Heritage Center and meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.

2024 Annual Awards Banquet

On Saturday, March 2, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their 53rd 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 and chicken Alfredo along with salad and bread prepared by Roma’s Italian Restaurant.  Members were recognized for their achievements during the 2023 hunting and fishing contests.

The first awards to be presented were for the 2023 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 2023 were (from number 10 to number 1) Aubrey Davidson, Forrest Cave, Johnnie Ivey, Terry Thurman, Billy Latham, Tony Derby, Randy Janoe, Billy Hensley, Ellis Silvey, and Bass Angler of the Year, Judd Thomas.  Judd 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 2023 Top Ten Tournament was Billy Latham.  Billy received a championship plaque for his win.

The Big Bass of the Year award was presented to Judd Thomas.  Judd caught a bass weighing 7.85 pounds at McGee Creek Lake during the September bass tournament.   Tony Derby won the award for the Heaviest Stringer of the Year.  Tony had a stringer weight of 17.16 pounds that was caught during a tournament in May on McGee Creek Lake.  He was presented a plaque.

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.  Only two members were able to catch over one hundred pounds.  They were Ellis Silvey with 109.62 pounds and Judd Thomas with 123.09 pounds.  Each received a plaque.

In the club’s deer archery season contest, Billy Latham won first place honors with Judd Thomas 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.

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

In the rifle season contest, Judd Thomas won first place and Ellis Silvey 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, Judd Thomas was the only member to complete this task. Judd was awarded the Grand Slam plaque.

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 Mill’s Quick Lube and Clean, owner Bradley Mills, in Antlers, and Brannan’s Bass Shop in Powderly, TX.

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 2023 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-seven years as club president.

The ladies door prize, a $100.00 prepaid Master Card, was won by Karie Larkins.  The men’s door prize, a Lew’s KVD LFS baitcast reel, was won by Forrest Cave.  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 2024 will be at McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, March 9.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Buster Hights boat landing.  Fishing times for the tournament will be from 8:00 to 4:00.  Club meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center on the second Thursday of each month and begin at 7:30 p.m. You can keep up with club activities on Facebook or on their web page at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.

January 2024 Meeting

 Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 11. On the agenda was the election of officers.  All current officers were re-elected.  They are Billy Latham, president; Judd Thomas, vice president; Ellis Silvey, treasurer; Billy Henlsey, secretary.  Board of Director Members were also elected.  They are Randy Janoe, Colby Chandler, Forrest Cave, Joe Janoe, Aubrey Davidson, and Terry Thurman.

In other news, the 2024 Bass Tournament Schedule was approved.  All permits for tournament dates have been approved.  The complete schedule can be found on our Facebook page or on the club website at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.  For those interested, the 53rd Annual Big Bass Rodeo will be held at Pine Creek Lake on April 20-21.  The first bass tournament of the season will be held at McGee Creek Lake on March 9.

The Annual Awards Banquet has been set for Saturday, March 2. The banquet will be held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  Members will receive awards that were earned during the 2023 season.

Members that had entered the 2023 deer season contest brought their antlers to the meeting to be measured to determine contest winners.  In archery season, Billy Latham took first place honors with Judd Thomas finishing in second place.  Judd Thomas won first place in the primitive firearms contest with Billy Hensley taking second place. For the rifle season contest, Judd Thomas finished in first place with Ellis Silvey taking second place honors.  Places were determined by measuring the deer antlers using the Boone and Crockett scoring system.

The club’s next meeting will be on Thursday, February 8.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.