47th Annual Big Bass Rodeo

47^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo

On April 21-22, the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club hosted the 47^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo on Pine Creek Lake.  One hundred fourteen anglers competed in the big bass tournament.  The weather could have cooperated a little more with Saturday being cold and rainy and Sunday was cold and windy.   Even though the weather was not perfect, several nice fish were caught.  The top five finishers all had bass that weighed over five pounds.

Terry Thurman won the tournament with a bass that weighed 5.76 pounds.   Finishing in second place, by a mere one-hundredth of a pound, was Joe Williams. His bass weighed 5.75 pounds.  Third place was won by Bub Cunningham with a bass weighing 5.30 pounds.  Billy Latham caught a 5.20 pound bass to take fourth place.  Craig Bartlett finished fifth with a bass weighing 5.13 pounds.  Each received a trophy, courtesy of FirstBank, and a check for their share of the entry fees.

New to the tournament this year was a prize for the biggest bass caught by an angler age 13 or under.  Tadpole’s Marine in Hugo gave $100.00 to Kaison Peek for his bass that weighed 3.90 pounds.  Tadpole’s Marine also gave the angler that caught the bass weighing closest to 3.00 pounds without going over a check for $200.00.  Three anglers caught bass that weighed exactly three pounds.  They were Judd Thomas, Terry Thurman and Tom McBride.  A coin toss decided the winner and Judd Thomas walked away with the extra cash.

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 57 additional anglers received prizes that 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 forty-seven years.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on May 5 at Hugo Lake.  Launch site will be Frazier Creek landing.  Fishing times will begin at “safe light” and end 9 hours later.

Picture Info:  Left to right, also 1^st to 5^th place:  Terry Thurman, Joe Williams, Bub Cunningham, Billy Latham, and Craig Bartlett