HBAA’s Clayton Rudman announces starting positions during the 2014 Big Bass Challenge.

Smallmouth wins 2014 Big Bass Challenge

LAKE WILSON, Kan., (Sept 20, 2014) — Big Bass Tournament News – Anglers Dell Mettlen, Jr., Salina, and Shawn Berry, Russell, claimed top honors after weighing in a 2.39 pound smallmouth bass on Saturday at the Hays Bass Anglers Association’s 14th Annual Big Bass Challenge at Lake Wilson. Eighty-two anglers on 41 boats fished the event, which featured hourly weigh-ins. “We were on fish all day searching for a key bite and I guess we found it keying in on schooling fish,” Mettlen said. The late summer tournament was held just three days before the first official day of fall. The central Kansas weather was warm and breezy for the start of the event, but as the wind died down in the later hours of the tournament, Mother Nature dished out one last dose of summer heat. HBAA officials were thrilled with the successful turnout and the number of family teams competing in the event. Declining lake levels over the last two years have made the fishing a bit tougher, but the smallmouth bass bite was good throughout the tournament. At the conclusion of the event anglers were treated to a free barbecue where prize money was awarded to anglers weighing in the three biggest bass in each hour of the tournament. Sponsors donated a variety of door prizes. The Challenge, one of the more popular tournaments in the Midwest, was again part of Skeeter Boats’ Real Money Program.  Lake Wilson has held its own through tough times, low water levels, and an increase in fishing pressure but remains one of the top quality bass fishing destinations in the state of Kansas. Follow this link to see more photos and order pictures from the 2014 Big Bass Challenge. HBAA wants to thank all sponsors and anglers for their continued support.