Ten boats arrived at the East Park Lake boat access ready to fish the 6th tournament of the Badlands Bass Bandits season. When boats launched the field split in half either going east towards New John’s and fishing the canals or going west fishing both East & West Park lakes. The weather was for a change rather pleasant with mild winds and lots of sunshine, which made it great for all the campers and recreational boaters out that day but made for a tough day to catch fish. As the day continued so did the boat traffic and canals were stirred up and water clarity was impeded.

Although the quantity of fish was lacking for most anglers, all did manage to bring in their three fish limit and most with great quality smallmouth, so what lacked in numbers did not lack in size! The average largest bass weighed by all teams was nearly 4 pounds at a 3.98-pound average big bass! and average fish weighed was 3.39 pounds, making for a tremendous weigh in for our event.

Coming in first place was Justin & Cami Enney with 12.07 pounds for their largest three. Only a half-pound behind was Tony McKay and Ty Gray with 11.48 pounds and right on their tails in third was Willie Kist and Matt Knutson with 11.42 pounds! But the most entertaining catch of the day was Alex Martel who brought in the biggest bass of the tournament at 4.79 pounds. With only minutes to conclude the tournament before boats loaded up for weigh in, Alex and his father Dan continued to fish in the canal only 200 yards from the ramp to try and catch their third fish to round out their limit. At 2:28 and two minutes left to fish Alex hooks up with a hog of a smallmouth and Dan does and excellent net job and they land a giant 4.79 pound smallie, so big that it makes second largest to be caught on our New John’s events, congratulations Alex on your awesome catch!