24 Oklahoma fishing teams chasing $1 million prize
Bass Pro Shops U.S. Amateur National Championship launches in freezing temps, dense fog
RIDGEDALE, MO.—Twenty-four boats carrying amateur Oklahoma anglers waited on fog-shrouded Table Rock Lake Friday, among more than 300 others with a chance to win a $1 million prize this weekend.
Billed as a first-of-its-kind amateur tourney with the biggest payout in freshwater fishing history, the Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships is underway with the final weigh-in set to start at 3 p.m. Sunday. The historic $1 million win will be broadcast to an international television audience on NBC Sports Channel. The program will re-air on NBC television in a one-hour special on Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. EST, Bass Pro Shops reported.
The fan-friendly event has all the trappings of a professional bass tournament, with activities through the day.
After sunrise prayer and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner echoed through the morning fog Friday, Oklahoma’s renowned angler Jimmy Houston and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris teamed up to kick things off with a call to “start your engines!”
Dense fog extended the anglers’ idling time for about 90 minutes for safety considerations. Anglers still will need to return in time for the 2 p.m weigh-in.
“Mom-n-Pop” amateur teams and fishing buddies who regularly hit the water in boats of brands associated with Bass Pro Shops competed in eight regional events the past year to qualify for the competition.
That lineup included contests on Texas’ Lake Ray Roberts and on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, which accounted for the Oklahoma boats in the contest. The full field includes anglers from more than 34 states, Germany, Japan, Romania and Spain, according to Bass Pro Shops organizers.
The weekend’s total purse is $4.3 million and a $1 million check to the champions. Numerous other prizes are on the line with prizes that include fishing boat packages waiting for top youth, military, and big-bass champions.
The top 200 teams will advance to Saturday’s competition. Sunday’s finale features the top 50.
Weigh-ins Friday and Saturday will be live-streamed on the Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open Fishing Facebook page at 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open National Championship Oklahoma anglers
Qualifying Event: Angler, Co-Angler, hometown(s)
Grand Lake (winners): James Wayne, Creston Harrel, Vinita and Claremore
Grand Lake: Keith Allen, David Warrior, Okehmah
Grand Lake: Ronnie Allen, Justin Barbour, Chouteau and Tulsa
Grand Lake: Dale Andrews, Jason Kissire, Jay
Grand Lake: Jeremy Bersche, Bethany Bersche, Skiatook
Grand Lake: Keith Daws, Bill Campbell, Roland and Greenwood, Ark
Grand Lake: Mike Fenn, Kevin Slate, Grove and Eufaula
Grand Lake: Bill Gaddis, Easton Rampey, Afton
Grand Lake: Ryan Heavener, Sean Cease, Tulsa and Mannford
Grand Lake: Dawayne Heffelman, Brian Longan, Jay and Grove
Grand Lake: Erick Jones, Dakota Jones, Spavinaw
Grand Lake: Tyler Latty, Samuel Walker, Ramona and Skiatook
Grand Lake: John Minnix, Eric Hanna, Oklahoma City
Grand Lake: Brandon Phillippe, Wade Goins, Adair
Grand Lake: Bryan Kevin Preuninger, Brian Kaleb Preuninger, McLoud
Grand Lake: Lance Rainbow, Lloyd Guthrie, Noble
Grand Lake: Freddie Stopp, Rickey Hicks, Glenpool and Tahlequah
Grand Lake: Brandon Tate, Robert Zachry, Wagoner and Stigler
Grand Lake: Alex Torkleson, Randy Anderson, Sand Springs and Mannford
Grand Lake: Heath Konkler, Kris Konkler, Bentonville, Ark., and Bixby
Lake Ray Roberts (winners): Alan Barton, Tanner Barton, Stillwater and Edmond
Lake Ray Roberts: Robert Brooks, Chase Brooks, Ardmore
Lake Ray Roberts: Wyly Kenneda, Kyle Kennada, Edmond
Lake Ray Roberts: Curtis Daniels, Jason Conn, Fort Towson
