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2012
25th ANNIVERSARY
SHRINER'S OPEN
BUDDY BASS CLASSIC
Herling & Smith
take the win with
32.91 lbs
The 25th Annual Shriner’s Open Buddy Bass Classic was held this past weekend at the beautiful Long Shoal Marina on the magnificent fishery of Truman Lake. What an awesome event! Let me tell you why we where all here, the children. The proceeds are for the benefit of The Mounted Guard. The proceeds of this event will benefit 10,000 children who will attend the Ararat Shrine Circus. Members of the Mounted Guard conceived the idea of a special free Shrine Circus Performance for school children several years ago. They had presented their precision drill as a part of a county fair program and they noticed how very much the youngsters enjoyed the evening’s entertainment. The thought came to them that the youngsters would really go for a circus. As a result, this special circus performance became a reality. This is the 57th Annual Special Shrine Circus performance sponsored by the Ararat Mounted Guard. During the years, attendance has grown from approximately 3,000 to 10,000 children. We know that the youngsters have fun at this performance and we know that we enjoy it! Without us, the sponsors like Bass Pro Shops, Long Shoal Marina, and the anglers fishing these tournaments, this would not happen! The Ararat Mounted guard thanks you!
Friday check in.
Checking out the auction items.
The lady with purple hair. I told ya you would be in here! A very nice part of Shriner staff!
Friday nights meeting was held at the Warsaw Shrine Club and went very well. The anglers showed up to finish registering for the tournament, receive their “goody” bags, and have the opportunity sign up for next year’s event. Shriner Jerry McCaslin went over the rules and gave thanks to their sponsors. First place prize of a Nitro Z-7 fully rigged boat powered by Mercury and two Arctic Cat 550 4 Wheelers for the second place prize from the fine sponsor, Bass Pro Shops. The anglers at Friday nights meeting were also greeted by E-Factor Lures stand for the last minute “I think I need this and I need more of those” anglers. They also had the opportunity for a silent auction items and raffle tickets for draw prizes. The raffle included a 40” APEX TV and a laptop. Then Long Shoal Marina owner, Don Eckert, took the stage. Long Shoal Marina is a full service, family oriented marina with a very nice restaurant, and it has been newly remodeled. Don was very gracious to the anglers and the Mounted Guard. Long Shoal Marina would open at 5:00am for breakfast to accommodate the hunger pains for the anglers Saturday and Sunday. Long Shoal Marina also had a stand Saturday during the weigh-ins for beverages and food. This is not to mention Don Eckert donating, on behalf of himself, his family, and Long Shoal Marina, a check to the Mounted Guard for $2500!
Don Eckert of Long Shoal Marina.
The “dock talk” in the days heading up to the event had a number of fish catching techniques being discussed. Along with whether the bass had spawned already or hadn’t they? With the water temperatures in the lows 70’s certainly a first wave had spawned but with the full moon Saturday night another wave was sure to come in. The water level was rising slowly up to Saturday’s take off then leveled off at 711.57 the day before the event. The lures being talked about were plastics, top water baits, spinner baits, and shallow square billed crank baits. So this should tell ya the weigh in line would be pretty long with fish being caught on just about everything. But there was any talk about big fish. The 15 inch swimmers seemed to be the common ground for most but there is always a team that can put a pattern down for the quality fish and they didn’t fail us this time either!
Ready.
We said Get Ready! This is Skip Surbaugh, he is not used to putting in prior to 10 minute before take off!
Go!
The weather for the event was a far cry from years past. It actually didn’t rain or sleet. The sun shined, the temperature was in the mid to upper 80’s with a slight Southeast breeze at times. Sunburns and sweat was a common feature for most. But that was a lot better that rain suits and gortex suits. There are 19 places being paid along with $3000 for big bass Saturday and Sunday and the Optional big bass.
Alright, On with the stats!!
Taking the first place plaque and a new Nitro Z-7 fully rigged boat went to the team of Rich Herling of Pevely, MO and his partner Tim Smith of Imperial, MO. Their two-day bag tipped the scales at 32.91 pounds. They were able to better their Saturday weight of 15.50 pounds to 17.41 pounds on Sunday for their grand total. Listen below to how they were able to accomplish this;
Second place went the father and son team of Tom & Kyle Alsop. They hail from Overland Park, MO. They are taking home with them two Arctic Cat 550 four wheelers. They were able to put together a pattern that gave them a two day weight of 31.07 pounds. Listen below to Tom & Kyle;
Third place and optional big bass went to the team of Jimmie Snodgrass of Holden, MO and Cosme Mendoza of Belton, MO. Their pattern provided them with a two-day total weight of 29.70 pounds. Their big bass of 5.98 pounds was good enough to take the optional big bass of the weekend. For their efforts they are taking home with them a total of just over $3400. Listen below to Jim and Cos;
Saturday Big Bass $3000 winner went to the team of Steve Stroud and Dave Peacock for their 7.18 pounds Truman toad!
Sundays Big Bass $3000 check went to the team of Kevin Johnston and Tim Merkh for their 7.99 Truman Lake largemouth!
Skip Surbaugh winner of the laptop raffle.
The ladies at work to ensure proper standings. Thanks to them for the paperwork I received!
Here is a little more info for ya. There were a total of 624 fish to hit the scales on Saturday for a total weight of 1,510 pounds. On Sunday there were 376 fish that tipped the scales at 868 pounds. Giving a grand total of 2,378 pounds of Truman Lake bass to hit the scales in this two-day event. WOW!
I would like to thank all who attended this years Shriner's event. It is very hard, if not impossible, to find another two-day charity event to match this! If you find one please let me know. Jack and Betty, Thank You for your time and an Oustanding job once again!!
If you have any questions, suggestion, or comments (good or bad) please do not hesitate to contact me.
For additional pics please click on the slide show and visit www.shrinersopen.com .
We would like to send a special thanks to Hidden Lake Motel for a weekend of awesome accommodations! Need a place to stay while at Truman Lake, check'em out at www.hiddenlakemotel.net
