Time to mark your calendars for the 11th annual Big Bass Challenge at Lake Wilson, August 6th. Numbered starts is a new addition this year, and is based on the order that entries are received.  We will begin accepting entries post-marked on April 1st and thereafter. Entries post-marked prior to April 1st will not be accepted. Registration forms and information will be posted on our website in March. Entry forms will be sent by mail and e-mail to anglers who have previously fished the Big Bass Challenge.

The basic format of the event will be the same with hourly prizes for biggest fish per hour and overall placings for biggest fish of the tournament, 80% payout. A BBQ meal will be provided. Fifty-four boats fished the 2010 event. We hope to have a great turnout in 2011.  The Hays Bass Anglers Association appreciates your support.

Corrections to Minutes of Director's Meeting

(posted January 25th, 2011 - updated January 31st, 2011)

The recent director's meeting minutes that were mailed out contains a couple of errors. The NBF Open Tournament is not at Merritt Reservoir.  The open tournament is scheduled for Saturday June 25th at the Missouri River (Verdel boat ramp).  Entry forms will be available here when they are ready.

Also, the dates listed in the minutes for the the 2011 State Tournament are incorrect.  The State Tournament is scheduled for Sunday October 2nd, 2011 thru Thursday October 6th, 2011.  There will be only one meeting at the state tournament on Monday October 3rd.  The time and location of the meeting has yet to be determined.

The dates for the 2011 Mr. Bass tournament are August 5th (practice) and August 6th (tournament).  The date for the next director's meeting is Sunday April 10th, 2011. (not the 17th)

Entry forms for all of the NBF tournaments will be available here when they are ready.

Notice from the Missouri Department of Conservation

(posted January 17th, 2011)

The “no cull” rule as it relates to summer black bass tournaments was put in place to minimize the amount of mortality that occurs when bass undergo stress from being held in a livewell for extended periods of time, followed by stress from the weigh-in procedures. Numerous research tournaments, including two held in Missouri, indicate that even though most fish may swim away from a weigh-in, the delayed mortality rate of tournament bass during the summer months is high.

A study conducted in 2003 at Pomme de Terre resulted in a 50% mortality rate over a 7 day holding period. In comparison, a group of fish collected as controls with electrofishing gear, and held in the same pens for 7 days, experienced only 3% mortality.

The regulations state that a fish is taken into possession if it is not released unharmed immediately. Basically, once a black bass enters a live well, is put on a stringer, or in a fish basket, it is in your possession and part of your daily limit, whether you eventually release it or not.

During July and August, the no cull rule allows you catch, and retain, a maximum of 6 “individual” legal bass during a tournament day (just like non-tournament black bass fishermen), even though you are only allowed 5 fish at the weigh-in.

So, once you have placed 6 legal bass in your livewell, you are done harvesting for the day. If, for example, you have five 3lb fish in your livewell, and you catch a 6lb fish, you can actually “cull” one of the smaller fish to get down to your 5 fish tournament limit. At this point you have reached your daily limit and are done harvesting fish, although you may continue to catch and release for fun. For arguments sake, let’s say that you continue to catch and immediately release bass while waiting for weigh-in time, and you land a 10 pounder.

You CANNOT keep this fish since you have already reached your daily limit of 6 ( the 5 bass in your live well plus the small legal bass you had in your possession but culled with a larger bass).

In comparison, from September through June, you may catch, and replace, smaller legal fish with larger fish throughout the day, provided that you do not exceed 6 fish in your livewell at any time.

The exact wording of this rule can be found on page 49 (Section E, Rule 3 CSR 10-6.405) of the Wildlife code issued March 1, 2010.

Brushing Project Cancelled

(posted January 17th, 2011)

The brushing project scheduled for Stage Coach Lake has been cancelled.  Because of the snow, the trees that were cut are all frozen down.  An alternate date has not been decided on at this time.

Director's Meeting Rescheduled

(posted January 10th, 2011)

January's director's meeting has been rescheduled for Sunday January 16th, 2011 at the Interstate Quality Inn (formerly Holiday Inn) in Grand Island, NE.

January Director's Meeting Cancelled

(posted January 9th, 2011)

The January director's meeting scheduled for January 9th, 2011 has been cancelled.  The meeting may or may not be rescheduled.  Club directors were contacted by phone of the cancellation and will be contacted if and when a new meeting has been scheduled.  Welcome to winter 2011!

2011 Nebraska B.A.S.S. Federation NASCAR Raffle

(posted December 2nd, 2010)

The winner of this year's raffle for the Las Vegas NASCAR trip was drawn on Wednesday.  The winner was Tracy Coleman.  Tracy's husband is Roger Coleman, member of the Milligan Bass Anglers.  Congratulations to Tracy (and hopfully Roger) and we hope you enjoy your trip to Vegas! 

2011 Central Regional Tournament Date Set

(posted December 2nd, 2010)

The 2011 BASS Central Regional Tournament has been scheduled for June 6th-10th, 2011 at Table Rock Lake, MO.  The date was moved once already, so hopefully this is the official date.

2010 Fishing For Freedom

October 9th-10th, 2010 - Truman Reservoir, MO

(posted September 12th, 2010)

Gentlemen,

I have always wanted to find a way to show fellow soldiers how much I really appreciate what they do for our country. I have always tried to go up to every service man I see and extend a hand shake in respect along with sincerely saying thank you for serving.

Now I have found a way to thank some one who has paid the ultimate price by getting injured in the line of duty. There is a tournament on Truman lake October 9th-10th called Fishing for Freedom. A wounded soldier is aligned with a boater and then they compete in tournament the following day. This is a no entry fee tournament and all expenses for the wounded soldier are paid for by donations. Even if you do not have a boat and would like to help out, they need volunteer help for other things. I only bring this up because the tournament is currently 8 or 9 boats short, that is 8 or 9 wounded soldiers with out a ride.

If you would like to find out more about the tournament or sign up, please visit http://fishingforfreedom.us/2010F3.stm.  Even if you can not make it, please inform other people about this event so they have more than enough boats and help.

In closing, if you are going to help out with the Fishing For Freedom tournament please let me know. I will try to get all of us some lodging together.

Sincerely,

Aaron Olsen

(816) 916-9861