Between June 6 and 9, approximately 1,750 anglers took the water on Lake Fork to take part in the 30th annual Skeeter Owners Bass Tournament, hosted by Skeeter Boats at Lake Fork Marina and Hotel in Alba, TX. The anglers, all fishing in Skeeter boats, competed for more than $200,000 in cash and prizes, including a 2024 Yamaha Kodiak 450 ATV, as well as a 2024 Skeeter FXR21 Apex Edition bass boat powered by a Yamaha V MAX SHO 250 Outboard, and a 2024 Yamaha Viking VI EPS Ranch Side-by-Side.
“Thirty years is a big milestone for this tournament. Participation continues to grow, and the passion for fishing is contagious among our customers who are at the forefront of everything we do at Skeeter,” said Chris Brown, brand marketing manager for Skeeter Boats. “We enjoy sharing this experience, hearing customers’ stories and just having a good time with folks who love fishing as much as we do. We’re grateful for the opportunity to host the Skeeter Owners’ Tournament and look forward to the next 30 years.”
Competing anglers sought to to catch the biggest bass “above the slot,” targeting fish that are less likely to be breeders to maintain population levels in the storied lake. This year’s grand prize, the 2024 Skeeter FXR21 Apex Edition and Yamaha V MAX SHO 250 outboard, went to Bernard Gunn of Farmersville, TX, reeled in a bass weighing 8.84 pounds. Monty Sewell of Taylor, AR, took home the 2024 Yamaha Viking VI EPS Ranch Side-by-Side for weighing in the heaviest bass under the slot with a 2.91-pound largemouth bass. Brenda McCord won the Yamaha Kodiak 450 ATV from the 2024 Boat Load of Toys Sweepstakes.
More than 1,500 toys and over $3,500 cash for charities were collected by anglers and volunteers during the event, which was run by the Bass Champs Tournament Organization.
