Sardis Bass Tournament: 6-21-25

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club started their bass tournament on Sardis Lake with a stiff breeze and very warm temperatures. The tournament was held on Saturday, June 21.  The wind continued to blow for the entire tournament and the temperature warmed into the low nineties. The lake was about 2.5 feet above normal.  Twenty-five members were competing in the tournament.  The bite was slow for some but others were able to put together some nice stringers. Thirteen members were able to catch and weigh a limit of five bass.  Every angler was able to catch a least one keeper bass.

Chuck Beck won the tournament with five bass that weighed 17.54 pounds.  Coming in second was Eric Baskin with a stringer weight of 14.47 pounds.  John Tucker finished in third place.  His stringer weighed 12.51 pounds.  Chuck Beck caught the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 6.78 pounds.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Pine Creek Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, July 12.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, July 10.   Launch site will be at Lost Rapids Park.   

Husband-wife bass tournament: 6-7-25

On Saturday, June 7, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their annual Husband-Wife Bass Tournament at McGee Creek Lake.  Couples did not have to be husband and wife but did have to be a male & female team to compete for the heaviest stringer division.  The day started off with light rain and temps in the seventies. The rain didn’t last long before the sun came out and quickly warmed things up. The lake level was about 8.5 feet above normal.

Six teams entered the tournament.  Two members, without partners, fished for the big bass pot.  Each team member could keep up to five bass.  Their stringer weights were added together to determine their team weight. Five anglers were able to catch a limit of five bass.  The team of Tony Derby and Karie Larkins won the tournament with a stringer weight of 10.04 pounds.  Finishing is a very close second place, getting beat out by only 0.01 of a pound, was Bill Backman and Tina Green with a stringer weight of 10.03 pounds.  Johnny Ivey and Lacy Dalrymple finished in third place with a stringer weight of 8.48 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Tina Green.  It weighed 4.96 pounds.

In the lady’s big bass division, Tina Green took top honors with a bass weighing 4.96 pounds.   The second place big bass caught by the ladies weighed 1.86 pounds and was caught by Karie Larkins.  Finishing in third place, with a bass weighing 1.36 pounds, was Jennifer Davidson.  Lacy Dalrymple placed fourth with a bass that weighed 1.07 pounds.  Sherry Deems took the fifth and final place with a bass that weighed 1.03 pounds.  Each lady will receive a plaque at the club’s next meeting.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Sardis Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, June 21, at the Sardis Lake, Sardis Cove boat ramp.    Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, June 12.  Members are reminded that the tournament lake is off limits for 24 hours prior to the start of the tournament.  This is a club tournament and is open only to club members.

Members that entered the spring turkey contest are reminded to bring their turkey’s beard to the monthly meeting on Thursday, June 12, to be measured so contest winners can be determined.

Hugo Tournament: 5-31-25

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, May 31, at Hugo Lake. The lake level was about eighteen feet above normal and falling.  The weather was nice, with cool temperatures at daylight but quickly warming up to the upper eighties by weigh-in time.  Fishing was tough and the bite was slow, but a few anglers managed to catch a decent stringer.  Twenty anglers entered the tournament and four of those managed to catch a five fish limit. Another ten were unable to catch a single keeper.

Jim Armstrong won the tournament with a stringer weight of 10.50 pounds.  Grant Armstrong finished in second place with a stringer weight of 9.96 pounds.  The third place stringer was caught by Chuck Beck.  His stringer weighed 8.93 pounds. Ellis Silvey caught a bass that weighed 2.80 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament.

The club’s next event will be the Annual Husband-Wife Bass Tournament on June 7, at McGee Creek Lake.  Launch site will be the Potapo boat ramp. Fishing times will be from 7:00 until 2:00.  Teams do not have to be a husband and wife couple but do need to be a male and female team.  One member of the team must be a current club member.  The entry fee is $40.00 per team with an optional $5.00 big bass pot entry fee, per person. This takes place on Oklahoma’s free fishing weekend so a fishing license is not necessary.  Each team member will be able to keep 5 bass of any size with the tournament permit.  Stringers weights of each team member will be added together to determine stringer weights and winners.  First, second and third place prizes will be awarded.  Also, plaques will be awarded to the ladies, first through fifth place, for their biggest bass, so men’s and ladies’ fish need to be kept separate.  Members that do not have a partner may fish, but can only compete for the big bass prize.

McGee Creek: 5-17-25

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, May 17. The day started off with mild temperatures and virtually no wind.  The weather was quite nice but the bite was slow. The lake was about eight inches above normal level.  Thirty-one anglers competed in the tournament. Twenty anglers were able to catch their limit of five bass but quality fish were difficult to come by.  A total of 116.18 pounds of bass were caught, weighed and released.

Billy Latham won the tournament with a stringer weight of 8.82 pounds. Finishing in second place was Ellis Silvey.  His stringer weighed 8.35 pounds.  Dylan Pfaff was third with a stringer weight of 7.99 pounds and he also had the big bass of the tournament with a 3.80 pound bass.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Hugo Lake.  The tournament will be held on Saturday, May 31.  Launch site will be the Frazier Point boat ramp.  Fishing will be from “safe light” until 3:00 pm.

2025 Free Youth Fishing Tournament

On Saturday, May 10, the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held its annual free youth fishing tournament.  The tournament was held at McGee Creek Lake.  Twenty-five young anglers competed in the event.  The weather was near perfect and most were able to catch a few fish, with perch being the most common catch of the day. The youths could catch and weigh in any legal species of fish.

As the young anglers were signing up for the tournament, they were each given a sample bag of Bassin Buddies lures, compliment s of Randy Janoe, owner of Bassin Buddies Lures.  Each angler also received a refurbished rod and reel from McCloud Honor Farm.  Inmates had cleaned and repaired previously owned rods and reels so that they worked like new again. The club appreciates these donations to the children.

Remi Reed was the first-place winner.  She had a stringer weight of, and this is not a typo, 29.62 pounds.  Most of her stringer consisted of sand bass.  Tye Smith caught the second-place stringer.  It weighed 4.15 pounds. Third place went to Rylee Holiman with a stringer weight of 4.08 pounds.  The biggest fish of the tournament was caught by Parker Cave.  It weighed 3.17 pounds.  Each of these young anglers received a plaque, compliments of Kiamichi Kreations, and a prize.  All of the other contestants also received a prize, regardless of whether they caught a fish or not.  There were enough prizes available that many received two prizes via a drawing that was held after all had received a prize. The kids were allowed to fish with live bait or artificial lures. They could also fish from a boat or from the shore.  After the tournament was over, all that attended, along with their parents, were treated to a hotdog cookout with all the trimmings and soft drinks. Over sixty adults and children were served.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on McGee Creek Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, May 17.  Fishing will begin at “safe light” and will end at 3:00 p.m.  The tournament will launch from the Buster Hights boat ramp and you must be a member to compete.

54th Big Bass Rodeo Results

 

On April 26-27, the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club hosted the 54th Annual Big Bass Rodeo on Pine Creek Lake.  Seventy-four boats with one hundred fifty anglers competed in the big bass tournament.  The first 120 contestants received a free cap with the Big Bass Rodeo logo on it, courtesy of Pruett’s Food and AmeriState Bank.  The lake was about 2.5 feet above normal and falling. The lake water temperature was running in the low to mid-seventies. The weather was nice with the exception of a severe thunderstorm that moved across the lake at about 3:30 on the first day of the event. Of the 150 anglers, 129 were able to catch a bass over the tournament’s minimum sixteen inch length limit.

Clay Rogers won the tournament with a bass that weighed 5.64 pounds.  For his first place finish, he received 25% of the entry fees.. Earl Jones finished in second place with a bass weighing 5.00 pounds. He received a check for 20 percent of the entry fees.  Third place honors went to Clay Mack with a bass weighing 4.10 pounds. Fourth place was won by Brittany Sharp with a bass weighing 4.06 pounds.  Steven Pond finished fifth with a bass weighing 3.98 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 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 Londyn Allen with a bass weighing 3.21 pounds.   Levi Lawrence won the 13-15 age division with a bass that weighed 3.63 pounds. Both anglers received $200.00 from Tadpole’s Marine and 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.  Steven Pond won this prize with a bass that weighed 3.98 pounds.  H2O Depot in Antlers awarded $100.00 the angler that had the lightest bass over 16” in length.  Joe Janoe won this prize with a bass that weighed 1.64 pounds.  After prizes had been awarded, a drawing was held for a FX casting rod, donated by Janoe’s Garage, Bassin Buddies baits & MinnKota Service Center.

Anglers that placed sixth or lower were awarded cash, prizes or gift certificates provided by area merchants.  Our local merchants were so generous that seventy-four 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-four years.

The club’s next event will be the annual free youth fishing tournament.  It will be held on Saturday, May 10, at McGee Creek Lake. Entries will be taken at the Buster Hights boat ramp parking area.  Fishing times will be from 8:00-12:00.  After fish have been weighed, the young anglers and their parents will be treated to a hot dog cookout at the pavilion in Buster Hights Park.  Every child will receive a prize.  The tournament is open to anglers age 16 or under.  For more information, check out our flyer on our Facebook page.

54th Annual Big Bass Rodeo

 

If you like to fish, and at the same time possibly win cash, trophies or prizes, then you might be interested in the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club’s 54th Annual Big Bass Rodeo.  The big bass tournament will be held on April 26-27, at Pine Creek Lake.  According to the Wildlife Department, the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club is the oldest, continuous running sportsman club in the state and the Big Bass Rodeo is the oldest, continuous running big bass tournament in the state and quite possibly the nation.  The headquarters for the tournament this year will be located at the pavilion in Little River South Park. 

The entry fee for the tournament is only $25.00 but, for insurance purposes, you must be a member of the club.  Memberships are $20.00 per year or a temporary membership, good for the weekend only, is $5.00.  Anglers that are under age 16 do not need a membership and must fish with a parent or guardian that is a member and pay the entry fee. Membership into the club is open until the end of the Big Bass Rodeo.  After then, anyone wishing to join the club must attend a meeting and be voted on by members present. There will be five cash prizes based on a percentage of the entry fees.  The smallest bass over 16 inches in length will receive $100.00 courtesy of H2O Depot.  Also, the top five finishers will receive large trophies compliments of FirstBank.  The first 120 contestants will receive a free cap courtesy of AmeriState Bank and Pruett’s Food.  Tadpoles Marine of Hugo, OK will also pay $100.00 to the angler that catches a bass weighing closest to 4.00 pounds without going over.   Tadpoles Marine has also donated $200.00 to be given to the youth, age 12 or under, that catches the biggest bass in that age division.  They will also give $200.00 to the youth, age 13-15, that catches the largest bass in that age division. Kiamichi Kreations will provide plaques for each of the youth division winners.

After the top five cash prizes have been awarded, anglers will receive prizes donated by area merchants until the supply of prizes is exhausted.  There are usually forty to fifty prizes, or more, ranging in value of $25.00 to over $100.00.  Prizes generally include reels, rods, tackle boxes, lures and many other items related to fishing, hunting, camping or other outdoor activities.  Our area sponsors have been very generous this year and their support is greatly appreciated.  After all prizes have been awarded, a drawing will be held for a Lew’s KVD Tournament bait cast reel, courtesy of Janoe’s Garage, Bassin Buddies lures & MinnKota Service Center.  All entered contestants will be eligible but must be present to win.

You may enter on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. or before the tournament begins on Saturday morning.  Fishing times will be from 7:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Complete rules can be viewed on our Facebook page. Pics of the BBR flyer and the entry forms have been posted on our page.  The lake is above normal and the forecast is calling for heavy rainfall this week.  There is a slight chance that if heavy rainfall does occur, the lake could rise to the point to where the US Army Corps of Engineers could close the boat ramps and some camping areas.  If this happens, the tournament may have to be postponed.  Check our Facebook page for the latest updates.

The US Army Corps of Engineers wanted us to remind boaters that a ramp pass is needed to unload your boat.  QR codes are posted at the gates and by the ramps that can be scanned and this will send you to the site where you can purchase a daily ramp pass.  Also, there is another tournament that will be unloading at the Lost Rapids boat ramp for those who usually unload there, so it will be crowded. 

Hugo Lake: 4-12-25

 

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, April 12, at Hugo Lake. The lake level was nine feet above normal and falling with water temps in the low sixties.  The day started off with cool temperatures and a light breeze that gradually got stronger throughout the day. To say the “bite was slow” would be an understatement.  Of the twenty-five anglers that fished, none were able to catch their five fish limit. Seventeen anglers were unable to boat a single bass.

Grant Armstrong won the tournament with a four fish that weighed 4.58 pounds.  Chris Ayers finished in second place with a stringer weight of 3.93 pounds.  The third-place stringer was caught by Maddox Covington.  His stringer, which consisted of one bass, weighed 3.83 pounds which was also the big bass of the day. Altogether, only twelve bass were caught for a total tournament weight of only 18.73 pounds.

The club’s next tournament is scheduled to be the Annual Big Bass Rodeo on April 26-27.  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.

Sardis Lake: 3-29-25

On Saturday, March 29, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club competed in a bass tournament on Sardis Lake. Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures but also had to deal with a stiff breeze. Twenty-three members competed in the tournament. Twelve anglers were able to catch a five fish limit and four anglers were unable to boat a single keeper.

Billy Hensley had a good day by catching both the heaviest stringer and the heaviest bass. Billy won the tournament with a five fish limit that weighed 19.66 pounds. His big bass weighed 8.45 pounds. Finishing in second place was Jim Armstrong.  Jim had a stringer weight of 14.37 pounds.  Third place honors went to Eric Baskin. His stringer weighed 11.06 pounds.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Hugo Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, April 12.  Launch site for the tournament will be Frazier Point boat landing.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting.

The club’s next monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, April 10, 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 meeting will be the club’s 54th Annual Big Bass Rodeo.  This year’s Big Bass Rodeo is scheduled to be held on April 26-27 at Pine Creek Lake. Check our Facebook page for updates.  You must be a member to compete in the club’s bass tournaments. Membership is open until the end of the Big Bass Rodeo.

McGee Creek: 3-15-25

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their first bass tournament of the year on Saturday, March 15.  The tournament was held on McGee Creek Lake.  Twenty-eight members competed in the event.  The morning started off fairly calm but  by late morning the wind had picked up making fishing difficult, however, most anglers were able to catch a few bass.  The water temp ranged from the upper fifties to the low sixties.

Fifteen anglers were able to catch a limit of five bass.  Four anglers were unable to boat a single keeper.  Chuck Beck won the tournament with a five fish limit that weighed 15.66 pounds.  Tony Derby finished in second place, also with a five limit that weighed 12.93 pounds.  Daniel Miller finished in third place with a stringer weight of12.66 pounds.  Daniel also caught the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 7.00 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament will be on Saturday, March 29, at Sardis Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be Sardis Cove ramp.  Fishing times will be from 8:00 until 4:00. 

54th Annual Awards Banquet

On Saturday, March 8, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their 54th 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 2024 hunting and fishing contests.

The first awards to be presented were for the 2024 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 2024 were (from number 10 to number 1) Terry Thurman, Billy Latham, Aubrey Davidson, Forrest Cave, Tony Derby, Randy Janoe, Judd Thomas, Eric Baskin, Ellis Silvey, and Bass Angler of the Year, Billy Hensley.  Billy 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 2024 Top Ten Tournament was Billy Latham.  Billy received a championship plaque for his win.

The Big Bass of the Year award was presented to Billy Hensley.  Billy caught a bass weighing 9.40 pounds at Sardis Lake during the March bass tournament.   Billy Hensley also won the award for the Heaviest Stringer of the Year.  He had a stringer weight of 34.81 pounds that was caught during a tournament in March on Sardis 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.  Four members were able to catch over one hundred pounds.  They were Judd Thomas with 100.17 pounds, Eric Baskin with 107.20 pounds, Ellis Silvey with 144.81 pounds and Billy Hensley with 166.48 pounds.  Each received a plaque.

In the club’s deer archery season contest, Billy Hensley 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.

Billy Hensley took first place honors in the deer primitive firearms contest.  Colby Chandler 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 Billy Hensley 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 and Billy Hensley were the only members to complete this task. Each 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 The Auto Parts Store, NAPA, in Antlers, and Hood’s Corner in Rattan.

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 2024 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-eight years as club president.

The ladies door prize, a $100.00 prepaid Master Card, was won by Martha Hensley.  The men’s door prize, a Lew’s KVD Tournament baitcast reel, was won by Randy Janoe.  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 15.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Buster Hights boat landing.  Fishing times for the tournament will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, March 13.  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.

For a complete viewing of pics from the banquet, visit our Facebook page.

January Meeting/2025 Bass Tournament Schedule

 Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 16. 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, Eric Baskin, Forrest Cave, Joe Janoe, Aubrey Davidson, and Tony Derby.

In other news, the 2025 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 54th Annual Big Bass Rodeo will be held at Pine Creek Lake on April 26-27.  The first bass tournament of the season will be held at McGee Creek Lake on March 15.

The Annual Awards Banquet has been set for Saturday, March 8. The banquet will be held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  Members will receive awards that were earned during the 2024 season.

Members that had entered the 2024 deer season contest brought their antlers to the meeting to be measured to determine contest winners.  In archery season, Billy Hensley took first place honors with Judd Thomas finishing in second place. No bucks were taken by contestants during archery season.  According to club rules, the first doe checked in is the winner and the person checking in the next doe will win second place.  Billy Hensley won first place in the primitive firearms contest with Colby Chandler taking second place. For the rifle season contest, Judd Thomas finished in first place with Billy Hensley 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 13.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.