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
------------------------------
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.

2023 Midway USA AiA Tournament Trail, presented by Pro-Guide Batteries
Lake of the Ozarks: April 2, 2023

Number of boats: 199
Total payback: $53,515
Places paid out: 33 overall, 2 big bass

The 2023 Midway USA AiA Tournament Trail, presented by Pro-Guide Batteries, headed to Osage Beach, MO on April 2nd for the second stop of the Midwest Land Group: Land Agent Justin Swast Lake of the Ozarks division.

A total of 199 teams blasted off from the PB2 ramp at 6:30am on Sunday morning, ready to land some bass and earn some valuable points towards the year end Anglers in Action Tournament of Champions, where 1st place will win a 2024 Phoenix 819 boat package with a retail value over $60,000.

Over $53,000 in prize money was on the line on Sunday, with a 1st place prize of $10,000. Anglers can win up to $27,000 for 1st place this season, if fishing from a Phoenix Boat purchased from Anglers Port Marine (see website for details).

We want to thank all of the anglers who participated in this event. We hope you all had a great time and we're looking forward to the next Lake of the Ozarks event, which will be held on May 7th out of the PB2 ramp. Enter now for an early boat number.

We also want to thank all of our great sponsors that contribute to the success of Anglers in Action. Please support those companies that support the tournaments you fish.

JAY HULSEY & BILLY BIRD LAND 20.95 LBS. TO WIN THE 2ND STOP AT LAKE OF THE OZARKS

Jay Hulsey & Billy Bird smashed 20.95 lbs. to win the 2nd stop of the Lake of the Ozarks Division. Billy and Jay reported fishing numerous areas from the 48mm down towards the Glaize Arm, using spinnerbaits, jigs, and crankbaits to accumulate their winning weight. Congratulations again gentlemen!

Total Winnings: $10,000

Sponsored by: Nitro Boats, Mercury, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, Chomper's, Garmin, Cope Marine, and Chase Co. Rentals.

2nd Place went to the team of Thomas Rallo and Scott Izatt. Scott and Thomas landed 5 Lake of the Ozarks bass that came up just short of the winning weight, 20.69 lbs. Great bag of fish and congratulations on your finish!

Total Winnings: $6,000

Howard McCallister & Tim Robinson took 3rd place overall on Sunday. Tim and Howard weighed in 5 largemouth that tipped the scales at 19.15 lbs. Great job guys!

Total Winnings: $5,000

LEW'S Big Bass of the tournament went to Chris D'Aquila & Denny D'Aquila. They landed a 6.92 lb. giant that was caught on a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait in the Niangua Arm. It was also Chris D'Aquila's 50th Birthday, what a b-day present! Congratulations!

Total Winnings: $1,393

Tournament Payouts:

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Thank you to all of our 2023 Anglers in Action sponsors:
Phoenix Boats / Midway USA / Pro-Guide Batteries / Aftco / Bajio Sunglasses
Lew's / Midwest Land Group: Land Agent - Justin Swast / Sunline / Gamakatsu / Anglers Port Marine / Bassing Bob / Fish Intel / Shore Tire Company / Shoreline Boat & RV Repair / American Baitworks / Power Pole / Russell Marine Products / Crock-O-Gator Bait Company / Bait Cave Customs / Vinyl Images / PurKleen / Gorilla Grip Gloves / Rogue Custom Apparel

2023 Midway USA AiA Tournament Trail, presented by Pro-Guide Batteries
Table Rock Lake: March 18, 2023

Number of boats: 117
Total payback: $31,345
Places paid out: 19 overall, 2 big bass

The 2023 Midway USA AiA Tournament Trail, presented by Pro-Guide Batteries, kicked off the Table Rock Lake Division on Saturday, March 18th. A total of 117 teams blasted off from the Table Rock Lake Resort ramp, on a frigid, windy day at the Rock. Teams are competing for valuable points towards the year end championship, where 1st place will win a 2024 Phoenix 819 boat package with a retail value over $60,000.

Over $31,000 in prize money was on the line on Saturday, with a 1st place prize of $10,000. Anglers can win up to $27,000 for 1st place this season, if fishing from a Phoenix Boat purchased from Anglers Port Marine (see website for details).

We want to thank all the anglers who participated in the 2023 Table Rock Lake Division Kickoff. We hope you all had a great time (despite the miserable conditions) and we're looking forward to the next Table Rock Lake event, which will be held on April 29th. Enter now for an early boat number.

We also want to thank all of our staff and our great sponsors that contribute to the success of Anglers in Action. Please support those companies that support the tournaments you fish. 

Congratulations to Jacob Wade and Justin Garner on their win Saturday at Table Rock Lake. Jacob & Justin reported catching all of their fish in 30-40 feet of water on the alabama rig, fishing numerous areas from the Kimberling City area down to the Dam. Great job on a tough day gentlemen!

Total Winnings: $10,000

Eric Hammond & Brian Thompson landed in 2nd place overall on Saturday, with 5 solid Table Rock Lake bass that locked in on 17.81 lbs. Great day guys and thanks for fishing AiA.

Total Winnings: $4,351

Larry Walker & Brent Compton took 3rd place for the tournament, with 5 solid keepers that weighed in at 17.39 lbs. Nice job guys!

Total Winnings: $3,000

LEW'S BIG BASS of the tournament went to the team of Billy Elbert & Jason Westrip. They landed a 6.18 lb. tank that earned them BIG BASS of the day and had 11th place overall with 14.90 lbs. Congratulations guys!

Total Winnings: $1,619

Tournament Payouts:

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS

Thank you to all of our 2023 Anglers in Action sponsors:
Phoenix Boats / Midway USA / Pro-Guide Batteries / Aftco / Bajio Sunglasses
Lew's / Midwest Land Group: Land Agent - Justin Swast / Sunline / Gamakatsu / Anglers Port Marine / Bassing Bob / Fish Intel / Shore Tire Company / Shoreline Boat & RV Repair / American Baitworks / Power Pole / Russell Marine Products / Crock-O-Gator Bait Company / Bait Cave Customs / Vinyl Images / PurKleen / Gorilla Grip Gloves / Rogue Custom Apparel

2023 Midway USA AiA Tournament Trail, presented by Pro-Guide Batteries
PHOENIX BOATS...THE OFFICIAL BOAT OF AIA

GRAND LAKE, OK: MARCH 11, 2023
Number of boats: 149
Total payback: $40,230
Places paid out: 24 overall, 2 big bass

The 2023 Midway USA AiA Tournament Trail, presented by Pro-Guide Batteries, kicked off the Grand Lake Division on Saturday, March 11th. A total of 149 teams blasted off at 7am from the Wolf Creek Ramp in Grove, OK. Teams are competing for valuable points towards the year end championship, where 1st place will win a 2024 Phoenix 819 boat package with a retail value over $60,000.

Over $40,000 in prize money was on the line on Saturday, with a 1st place prize of $10,000. Anglers can win up to $27,000 for 1st place this season, if fishing from a Phoenix Boat purchased from Anglers Port Marine (see website for details).

We want to thank all the anglers who participated in the 2023 Grand Lake Division Kickoff. We hope you all had a great time and we're looking forward to the next Grand Lake event, which will be held on April 30th. Enter now for an early boat number.

We also want to thank all of our great sponsors that contribute to the success of Anglers in Action. Please support those companies that support the tournaments you fish. 

IT PAYS TO RUN A PHOENIX BOAT....PHOENIX FIRST FLIGHT MONEYCongratulations to Chad Warren & Dalton Harbin on their 1st place finish at the 2023 Grand Lake Division Kickoff. Dalton and Chad landed a massive 25.72 lb. bag, using alabama rigs and jerkbaits to accumulate their winning weight. Awesome bag of fish gentlemen!

Total Winnings: $17,000
$10,000 + $7,000 in Phoenix First Flight Money

TJ Martin and Steve Vann had a great day on Grand Lake, landing 5 bass that locked in on an impressive 21.54 lbs. Great job guys!

Total Winnings: $5,000

3rd place went to the team of Andy Newcomb and Bryan Tracy, with a solid bag of Grand Lake bass that weighed in at 20.32 lbs. Nice work gentlemen!

Total Winnings: $3,500

LEW'S BIG BASS: Heather Herring and Preston Cook landed a 6.51 lb. tank that earned them BIG BASS of the event.

Total Winnings: $1,043

Tournament Payouts:

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS

Thank you to all of our 2023 Anglers in Action sponsors:
Phoenix Boats / Midway USA / Pro-Guide Batteries / Aftco / Bajio Sunglasses
Lew's / Midwest Land Group: Land Agent - Justin Swast / Sunline / Gamakatsu / Anglers Port Marine / Bassing Bob / Fish Intel / Shore Tire Company / Shoreline Boat & RV Repair / American Baitworks / Power Pole / Russell Marine Products / Crock-O-Gator Bait Company / Bait Cave Customs / Vinyl Images / PurKleen / Gorilla Grip Gloves / Rogue Custom Apparel