08/02/2025
This last week Bassinators , Minnesota sent 3 teams to the TBF Workd Junior Bass Fishing tournament on Lake Oahe in Pierre South Dakota. As a board member and boat captain , I was blessed and honored to spend time with some of the best youth fishermen and thier families. As they did not come away with any hardware, they did get to come away with stories , friendships memories and an experience that will last a lifetime. A moose swimming across Lake Oahe in South Dakota? Yes and one of our teams captured this on one of our practice days . Our kids didn’t just catch Bass , but multiple species that Lake Oahe holds. From Moon-eye, walleye, catfish, drum and a gar were also boated on this trip. From practice to the BBQ for all Minnesota teams participating to the tournament, our teams showed up and experienced everything South Dakota had to offer . We had hot muggy calm weather, we had chilly windy mornings , Canadian wild fire smoke and wind changes daily. As the week ended , I sat with our president Jeffrey Nelson, we smiled, all 3 teams caught score-able fish everyday during the tournament, which hasn’t happened in a long time . All the long hours driving across the state, putting in reasearch of this massive body of water. Two practice days ,early mornings and late nights we had did it. 6 kids from Minnesota with no boats , joined a fishing club with a hope and dream to fish in the TBF Juinor World Championship. They earned their ticket through dedication and hardwork . They represented our club with class, dignity and a smile. Our Bassinators boat was captained and maintaine by a parent, our President took one team and myself took the other. It takes a village, and the Village Jeffrey has built a great strong village and hope we get to do it again soon , I would like to thank all the families for the help and support we received in getting these kids on the water . Justin Kowitz for captaining and all the work he put into the club boat. Everyone who dropped us in the lake or pulled us out . The parents who made the lunches packed the snacks to cheering on all the teams during the weight ins . Thank you
