Challenging a field of 377 entries from across the nation proved trying for many of the anglers with unstable weather conditions … a typical occurrence for this 25th Owners Invitational.
The 2012 Bass Cat Owners Invitational Champions are David Crisenberry of Flippin, AR and Gene Crisenberry of Harrison, AR with a total weight of 28.73 lbs. They are taking home a new 2012 Bass Cat Eyra rigged with a Mercury 250 ProXS OptiMax, and MotorGuide Trolling Motor.
The Second place award of a new 2012 Bass Cat Margay went to the team of Brian Crecelius of Mountain Home, AR and Derrick Weatherford of Salesville, AR with a total weight of 25.91 lbs.
Overall Big Bass for the tournament weighed 5.37 and was brought to the scales by the winning team of Ben and Austin Goldberg of Lake Lotawana, MO … that hawg produced a big stack of cash.
Bass Cat Owner Paul and Linda Riegle of Mountain Home, AR were the lucky owners left standing in the Friday night banquet paddle “draw” to take home a beautiful 2012 Bass Cat Margay. Needless to say Friday the 13th proved a very lucky day for them.
As part of this special 25th Invitational, a special promotion for catching the largest Ozark Bass during this tournament. At this writing it appears one very lucky Bass Cat Owner Randy Glenn of Springdale, AR was not only awarded $1,000 but … he may go into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame by breaking the old World Record with his 1lb. 1 oz. Ozark Bass. Details will be released after official verification.
Big Walleye for the tournament was a 3.92 lbs. by Don Parkin, and John Bowles of St. Louis, Mo … they took home a cool $1,000.
As a side “fun” pot … the largest Striper weighed in at 12.31 lbs. by Robert and Zack Robbins of Branson, MO. They also received $1,000 for their catch.
One “lucky” Pink Duck was brought to weigh-in by Bradley Rey of Springdale, AR … it was traded in for a new Mercury 115 ProXS OptiMax. Bradley is a lucky duck for sure.
A total of 1536 Bass were caught that weighed in at 3,360.23 pounds.
This Tournament offered a lot of free Strike King product, a $25,000 award if you break a record on a particular species, and more goodies. Plus … you have Wild Cards, Big Bass, Striper, Walleye and much more in prizes… and burgers to boot!
A Very Special Thanks, to Strike King Lures, and Mercury Outboards, without their generous donations and other sponsor donations the Owners Invitational sure wouldn’t be the same great event!
Click Here for Final StandingsBy: Gary Gould
