BROCK BOYHER WINS $100,000 AT THE 2023 AFTCO BIG BASS BASH, PRESENTED BY MIDWAY USA
WHAT A WEEKEND OF FISHING & FUN AT MISSOURI'S LAKE OF THE OZARKS...(despite the rain, wind, and hail). The 2023 AFTCO Spring Big Bass Bash, presented by Midway USA, took place at Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks on April 15-16. Anglers from across the country took part in one of the largest amateur Big Bass fishing tournaments in the nation.
Over $341,000 in guaranteed cash & prizes were awarded at this event, including a new Phoenix 818 Bass Boat and a whopping $100,000 grand prize to the angler who weighed in the biggest bass of the tournament.
This event, which takes place each Spring & Fall at Lake of the Ozarks, brings a massive economic boost to the local community during the "off-season" each year. The Big Bass Bash brings family & friends together to enjoy some time at the lake and gives the "weekend angler" a chance to cash in on hundreds of thousands of dollars in guaranteed payouts.
We want to thank all of the anglers, all of our great sponsors, our staff, the local businesses and organizations that support this event, along with all of the State Park employees and law enforcement officers that keep things running smoothly. Without a combined effort from each & everyone of you, this event would not be possible. Thank you all again!!
DON'T MISS THE 2023 CHEROKEE CASINO BIG BASS BASH, PRESENTED BY BLACK RAIN ORDNANCE
GRAND LAKE, OK: JUNE 3-4, 2023
BIG BASS WINS $100,000
CLICK HERE FOR EVENT INFO
Brock Boyher, of Chesterfield, MO, lands a 7.27 lb. bass on his first cast of the tournament to win the Lake of the Ozarks Big Bass Bash and the $100,000 Grand Prize!
Brock Boyher with his winning bass, a 7.27 lb. giant he caught on his first cast of the tournament while fishing the Little Niangua arm. Brock initially thought his Ned-Rig was hung up on something, then his spinning reel started screaming when the big bass took off. Brock was able to fight it back to the boat where his partner, George, netted it and got the lunker in the boat.
Brock fired up his 25hp Mercury on the small aluminum boat they were fishing out of and headed to Red Oak Resort. Fighting an incoming storm, they managed to brave the heavy rain and rough water and made it to the weigh-in station, where the Big Bass locked in on 7.27 lbs. Brock's bass held up the remainder of the event and landed him the Grand Prize of $100,000. Congratulations again to Brock Boyher, your 2023 Spring Big Bass Bash Champion at Lake of the Ozarks.
Jim Schnable placed 2nd overall for the event and took home a hefty $20,000 check for his efforts. Jim caught his 6.85 lb. bass on a Crock-O-Gator Swamp Bug, a bait that has cashed numerous checks in the Big Bass Bash. Congratulations, Jim!
Ron Sweeney, of Farmington, MO, weighed in his 6.83 lb. bass at the Red Oak Resort on Saturday during the 9:01-11am time slot. Ron caught his $10,000 bass on a spinnerbait, fishing a chunk rock bank. Congratulations, Ron!
Brian Walkup took 4th place overall for the event, with a 6.58 toad that he weighed in at Alhonna Resort on Saturday during the 1:01-3pm time slot. Brian landed that fish behind a dock and was able to fight her over the dock cables to land the $5,000 bass. Congratulations Brian!
Zita Lovell took first place in the Ladies Division with a nice 5.51 lb. largemouth, along with 13th place in the 1:01-3pm time slot on Saturday. Congratulations, Zita!
Kevin Stoolman won the drawing for the Phoenix Bass Boat, with a retail value over $40,000
EARLY BIRD WINNERS:
$500 - Stuart Bell: Williston, VT
$500 - Michael Miller: Kansas City, MO
$500 - Kyle Carpenter: Niangua, MO
$500 - William Anderson: Sarcoxie, MO
$500 - Anthony Robbs: Bonne Terre, MO
$500 - Jesse Meek: Kansas City, MO
$500 - Nathan Giessmann: Lake St. Louis, MO
$500 - Tim Tighe: St. Louis, MO
$500 - Carter Weiss: Wildwood, MO
$500 - Michael Linell: Peculiar, MO
$500 - Wes Oxley: Jacksonville, IL
$500 - Douglas Nix Jr.: Byrnes Mill, MO
EXACT WEIGHT WINNERS:
$500 - Michael Hamilton Jr.: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - James Berg: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - James Lewis: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - Dylan Moorman: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - A.J. Wenzel: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - Robert Brewer: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - Scott Bockerstette: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - John Marciano: 4.00 lbs.
$500 - Josh Cook: 4.00 lbs.
$500 - Russell Harding: 4.00 lbs.
$500 - Kevin Dillingham: 4.00 lbs.
$500 - Dalton Hulme: 4.00 lbs.
$500 - Brian Mackesty: 4.00 lbs.
$500 - Amber Ahrens: 4.00 lbs.
3:16 LB. EXACT WEIGHT, Sponsored by Midwest Land Group: Land Agent, Justin Swast
$250 - Saturday: Eric Heskett
$250 - Saturday: Gage Gross
$250 - Sunday: David Gerik
$250 - Sunday: Ronnie Howerton
AFTCO BONUS T-SHIRT WINNERS
$125 - Ted Triggs
$125 - Julie Jackson
$125 - Anthony Ferranto
$125 - Gina Cunningham
$125 - Austin Harlan
$125 - Clayton Doudy
FOOD DRIVE DRAWING WINNER
$5,000 - Mike Wittland
Total Paid Out:
Top 4 Overall Payouts: $135,000
Bi-Hourly Payouts: $142,760
Phoenix Draw Boat: (Retail Value - $40,000)
Early Bird Draw Prizes: $6,000
Food Drive Drawing: $5,000
Exact Weights: $8,000
Ladies Bonus Payouts: $1,750
AFTCO T-Shirt Bonus: $750
Kid's Division: $1,800
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Total Payout: $341,060
CLICK HERE FOR TOURNAMENT RESULTS
CLICK HERE FOR KID'S DIVISION RESULTS
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO GALLERY
We want to thank all of you that participated in the Big Bass Bash and hope you had a great weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks. We also want to thank all of our great sponsors & supporters of this event;
AFTCO, Midway USA, Phoenix Boats, Bajio Sunglasses, Lew's, Sunline, Gorilla Grip, Bad Boy Mowers, Tri-County Lodging Association, Bassing Bob, Shoreline Boat & RV Repair, Huxco Construction, Midwest Land Group: Land Agent - Justin Swast, Vinyl Images, Crock O Gator, Surdyke Yamaha, Fitz Fishing Tackle, Gamakatsu, McCallister Marine, Anglers Port Marine, and DA Films.
