The first Cornhusker State Games (CSG) Bass Brawl organized by NBAA director Jason Cyboron and Gordon Hardle was a huge success.  The Cornhusker State Games is Nebraska’s amateur sports festival and one of the largest amateur sports festivals in the country.  The Bass Brawl was a new sport offered in the CSG’s for 2011.  There was 28 teams in the tournament this year which was held on Branched Oak Lake northwest of Lincoln, Nebraska.  Typical to the Cornhusker State Games was the hot weather.  Despite the heat, fishing was good.  The bulk of the bite seemed to be later in the morning when the sun pushed bass to shade making them easier to find.  The tournament attracted anglers of all ages and abilities.  The youngest competitor was 7 years old Nicholas Carroll who competed with his father in his very first tournament.  The family theme for the event was very strong.  Many of the teams competing were father/son teams.  Dan Hedman with 10/11 News Sports did a great story on NBAA Anglers Rich & Scott Vestecka who finished 4th in the tournament.  The clip can be viewed here.  NBAA member Jared Knuth also competed with his father for the event.  They had a special guest with them in the boat all day.  The Journal Star writer Brent Wagner spent the day in the back seat watching the event unfold before his eyes.  Brent had a special seat as Jared and Dave had a rally late in the morning that put them on the top of the leader board by the end of the day.  Brent’s article was published in the Outdoor section of the Sunday paper and can be read here. 
 
Branched Oak it typically a tougher fishery and has been a very busy place this year with parts of the Missouri River being closed because of flooding.  The 1,800 acre lake had over 100 recreational boats out on the water in addition to the 28 boats in the tournament and 12 boats in a Sailing Regatta, which was also part of the CSG’s.  Despite the heat and boat traffic 7 teams brought in a limit of 4 bass to the scales, while 20 of the 28 teams weighed a fish in the tournament.  A total of 49 fish were weighed in for a total of 123 lbs.  The average bass was 2.51 lbs.  What makes this tournament unique is the anglers are not only fishing to win and cash a check.  They are also competing for bragging rights for the next year as the top 3 teams earn Olympic style medals.

NBAA member Jared Knuth and his father Dave Knuth captured the top spot and the Gold medal.  They had 4 bass weighing 14.23 lbs and pocketed $275 cash for the win.  They also hauled in a $100 prize from Sportsman’s Haircut who sponsors the local NBAA division and the CSG’s Bass Brawl.

The team of Doug Schmidt and Wally Shotkoski captured the Silver Medal & $170 cash for their 2nd place bag of 4 bass weighing 12.01 lbs.  In addition to the Silver Medal Doug and Wally also won a Gold medal for the big bass topping the scales at 5.33 lbs. 

The team of Mark Madision and Joyce Clark captured the Bronze medal and $120 cash for their 3rd place bag of 4 bass weighing in at 10.60 lbs.  If Mark and Joyce’s names sound familiar that’s because Mark and Joyce have been NBAA Division 54 Champions multiple times.  If they don’t win the tournament they are consistently make the top 3 in most tournaments.

Congratulations to all the medal winners in the tournament!
 
To round out the top 5 teams in the tournament.  NBAA members Rich and Scott Vestecka finished 4th with a limit weighing in at 9.43 lbs and pocketed $75 in cash.  The team of Matt Franson and Steve Brinkerhoff finished 5th with a limit weighing 9.37 lbs and earned $60 cash.
 
Gordon and Jason would like to thank everyone for helping to make this event as successful as it was and we hope to see everyone again next year.  We want to give special thanks to our sponsors who helped us out in the event.
 
Transport Plus who provided lunch
Pepsi Cola of Lincoln
Sportsman’s Haircut
Smokin Gun Beef Jerky
Nebraska Bison
Pitbull Baits
Husker Car Wash
NBAA
 
Results: Cornhuskers-Results.jpg