Sunday, April 25, 2021

50th Big Bass Rodeo

 







On April 24-25, the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club hosted the 50th Annual Big Bass Rodeo on Pine Creek Lake.  Seventy-one boats with one hundred thirty-eight 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 pretty nice with high temps in the seventies and stiff breezes.  The lake, however, was approximately eleven feet above normal and rising after strong storms on Friday night before the tournament.   Catching a quality bass was difficult with only two bass over four pounds being caught.

Rodney Roden won the tournament with a bass that weighed 4.44 pounds.  For his first place finish, Kynan received over $1300.00, which was 25% of the entry fees plus an additional $500.00 from Sterling Hill Financial in Denison, TX. This was a donation to be added to the first place prize.   Finishing in second place, with a bass weighing 4.37 pounds, was Jamie Flynn.  In addition to his share of the entry fee money, Jamie received 200.00 from Southeast Sanitation, Seth Wood, owner.  Third place was won by Michael Shields with a bass weighing 3.96 pounds.  Michael received an additional $100.00 from Hank’s Store in Rattan.  Curtis Daniels caught a 3.61 pound bass to take fourth place.  Eric Hutsell finished fifth with a bass weighing 3.55 pounds.  Each received a trophy, courtesy of FirstBank, and a check for their share of the entry fees.

Also this year, prizes were awarded to anglers that were age twelve and under.  Tadpole’s Marine in Hugo awarded $300.00 to Racin Hilton for his bass that weighed 3.18 pounds.  Family Affairs Outdoors with Micheal and Shannon Wheeler, awarded Reed Hess with 200.00 for his second place finish.  His bass weighed 2.54 pounds.   Family Affairs Outdoors also provided $100.00 for 3rd place which was won by Kooper Holiman with a bass weighing 2.24 pounds. Kiamichi Kreations provided plaques for the top three youth anglers and custom printed Big Bass Rodeo t-shirts for 4th and 5th place. Sara Headly placed 4th with a 2.00 pound bass and Michael Murphy, jr. finished in 5th with his bass that weighed 1.68 pounds.

Since this was the 50th anniversary of the Big Bass Rodeo, the club awarded the angler that finished in 50th place an award of $50.00. The angler finishing in 50th place was Andy Cripe.  Tadpole’s Marine awarded the angler that was closest to 4.00 pounds, without going over, a cash prize of $100.00.  Michael Shields won this prize with a bass that weighed 3.96 pounds.  After prizes had been awarded, a drawing was held for an ABU SX bait casting reel donated by Janoe’s Garage.  Earl Jones was the winner of the reel.

A plaque was awarded to David Smith for being the only member that has attended all fifty Big Bass Rodeo Tournaments.  The first tournament was held in 1972 and David has not missed a single one.  Happy 50th Big Bass Rodeo Anniversary to David.

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 in a bass over 16” in length and stayed for the awards presentation 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 years.

Club members will hold a bass tournament on May 8, at McGee Creek Lake.  Launch site will be Buster Hight landing.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” to 3:30 p.m.

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