The Malad Bass Fishing Tournament for 2023 took place on Saturday, with teams competing throughout the morning and afternoon.

 The event started with ceremonies at 7:30 a.m. with the national anthem and a welcome to all anglers. There were a total of eight anglers all together in four boats. The boat captains were “Big Dog” Tim Rawlings, “Mad Dog” Bret Felter, James Bradshaw, and Ryelur Anderson. 

The anglers that participated included boat one, with the winning team Deken and Blake Williams, and boat captain Tim Rawlings.  The boat netted five fish for 5.07 pounds. Boat 2 took second place, with Irish and German Loftis and boat captain Bret Felter.  They took in five fish for  4.66 pounds.  Boat 3, in third place, was Dutch Loftis and Bryce Jones.  The team had three fish, weighing 2.29 Pounds.  Fourth place was Waylon Hill and Ryelur Anderson, with two fish for 1.94 pounds.

The biggest fish was caught by Irish Loftis, weighing 1.31 lbs. 

The weather was especially nice for a spring morning, and stayed dry throughout. The water itself was very cloudy, however. The winning team, Deken and Blake Williams, figured out that where the water was clearer they could catch more fish compared to the dirty muddy water. 

The water temperature was 58° on the main lake, warming up to 60°. It was a really tough bite. According to participants, it was tough to figure out a pattern for the winning fish, which ultimately were caught were on a Lucky E Strike jerk bait, and a maniac minnow. It was difficult to avoid throwing in the trees and jig for fish, Deken Williams explained, so he pulled off the banks and started throwing his jerkbait and Maniac Minnow’s in the more clear water. 

Team Williams had a limit by 8:30 a.m. in the morning. The team was struggling to catch fish, so Deken and Blake helped their fellow anglers and told them what they were using to catch fish. Coach Tim Rawlings stated that he’s very proud of his kids and what they are doing and learning, and figuring out how to pattern a bass and catch them. He said it was important to know that a bass in the west only grows an inch a year.

That’s why it is  important to practice catch and release so that this may continue through generations of kids learning how to fish. 

According to Coach Tim Rawlings, “It was a great day. The kids learned a lot. It was good practice for when they go to the national qualifier. I encourage everyone that wants to get into bass fishing to come and sign up with Coach Tim Rawlings and coach Brett Colgrove at the high school for next year!”