KEVIN GRACE LANDS $100,000 GRAND PRIZE AT THE 2022 AFTCO BIG BASS BASH AT LAKE OF THE OZARKS
WHAT A WEEKEND AT LAKE OF THE OZARKS:
The 2022 AFTCO Fall Big Bass Bash, presented by Phoenix Boats, took place at Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks on October 1-2, 2022. Anglers from across the country hooked up their rigs & headed to central Missouri to take part in one of the largest amateur Big Bass fishing tournaments in the nation.
Over $339,000 in guaranteed cash & prizes were awarded at this event, including over $140,000 in bi-hourly payouts, a new Phoenix Bass Boat, thousands in exact weight & early bird prizes, $5,000 in customer appreciation drawings, and a whopping $100,000 grand prize!
This event, which takes place each Spring & Fall at Lake of the Ozarks, brings a massive economic boost to the local community during the "off-season" each year. The Big Bass Bash brings family & friends together to enjoy a weekend at the lake and gives the "weekend angler" a chance to cash in on hundreds of thousands of dollars in guaranteed payouts.
We want to thank all of you that participated in the Big Bass Bash and hope you had a great weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks. We also want to thank all of our great sponsors & supporters of this event;
AFTCO, Phoenix Boats, Bajio Sunglasses, Lew's, Sunline, Gorilla Grip, Bad Boy Mowers, Tri-County Lodging Association, Bassing Bob, Huxco Construction, Midwest Land Group: Land Agent - Justin Swast, Vinyl Images, Crock O Gator, Surdyke Yamaha, Fitz Fishing Tackle, Selden Martin-Visionary Wealth Advisors, and to all of our other great sponsors, tournament staff, supporters, local businesses, resorts, tackle shops, State Parks Department, and everyone else that makes this event possible. It takes a small army to host an event like this, and it could not be done without all of you.
Congratulations to all of you that placed in this Fall's Big Bass Bash. We had a first at this year's event, with a tie for the 1st place $100,000 grand prize. Kevin Grace weighed in a 6.22 lb. bass on Saturday in the 1-3pm time slot, and Brian Jaeger also weighed in a 6.22 lb. bass on Sunday in the 1-3pm time slot. Our tie-breaker for the overall bass is determined by earliest entry into the event. Kevin entered on September 3rd & Brian on September 30th. We want to congratulate both, Brian Jaeger & Kevin Grace!
1st Place Overall: Kevin Grace - 6.22 lbs.
2nd Place Overall: Brian Jaeger - 6.22 lbs.
3rd Place Overall: Ryan Hopping - 6.07 lbs.
4th Place Overall: Joe Carleton - 6.02 lbs.
1st Place Ladie's Bonus: Inara Miller - 4.49 lbs.
Gary Brach took home the Phoenix 818/Mercury 150 Pro XS draw boat package, with a retail value of $40,000.
EARLY BIRD WINNERS:
$500 - Daniel Rice: Independence, MO
$500 - Sante Medici: Ankeny, IA
$500 - Brittany Naucke: Crystal City, MO
$500 - Mike Wittland: Ralston, NE
$500 - Thomas Foy: Festus, MO
$500 - Scott Henson: Newburg, MO
$500 - Donald Starbird: Macks Creek, MO
$500 - Eric Giessing: Farmington, MO
$500 - Eric Thompson: Swansea, IL
$500 - Joe Hodges: Lebanon, MO
$500 - Tom Stoll: Waukee, IA
$500 - Joseph Scott: Lake Ozark, MO
CUSTOMER APPRECIATE DRAWING:
$500 - Matthew Morrison: Collinsville, IL
$500 - Casey Sipult: Haysville, KS
$500 - Matt Rose: Quincy, IL
$500 - Justin Stegeman: Hartsburg, MO
$500 - Mark Fischer: Kimberling City, MO
$500 - Tudor Ciupe: Chicago, IL
$500 - Wade Ireland: Iowa Falls, IA
$500 - Bruce Jones: Osage Beach, MO
$500 - Richard Weber: Dittmer, MO
$500 - Scott Hill: Fair Grove, MO
EXACT WEIGHT WINNERS:
$500 - Mitch Geiser: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - Bob Bratcher: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - Jackie Davis: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - Brandon Grant: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - Mike Pohlmann: 4.00 lbs.
$500 - Alex Thomas: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - Justin Underwood: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - Brian Shull: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - Ray Bowers: 4.00 lbs.
$1,000 - Saturday: Jim Lowe, 3.16 lb. Sponsored by Midwest Land Group: Land Agent, Justin Swast
$1,000 - Sunday: Steve Schimsa, 3.16 lb. Sponsored by Midwest Land Group: Land Agent, Justin Swast
AFTCO BONUS T-SHIRT WINNERS
$125 - Jesse Morris
$125 - Mike Schulte
$125 - Terry Morgan
$125 - Chuck Chafin
Total Paid Out:
Top 4 Overall Payouts: $135,000
Bi-Hourly Payouts: $142,760
Phoenix Draw Boat: (Retail Value - $40,000)
Early Bird Draw Prizes: $6,000
Customer Appreciation Drawings: $5,000
Exact Weights: $6,500
Ladies Bonus Payouts: $1,750
AFTCO T-Shirt Bonus: $500
Kid's Division: $1,800
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Total Payout: $339,310
CLICK HERE FOR TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Save the dates for the 2023 Big Bass Bash® events:
Lake of the Ozarks: April 15-16, 2023
Thank you all again and we'll see you soon!
Randy, Diane, Cherie, Charlie, & Marie Terrell
