Author Archives: Butler County Bassmasters Admin

Temps are rising, snow is melting, and that familiar sound on lakes and rivers is quickly approaching. Fishing season is here and Guist Creek will once again be the season opener. It’s been a few years since our last visit, but I have no doubt that this club still knows how to find the fish on Guist Creek. Lets get those motors running, that water churning, and set some hooks on great 2021 season.

Pairings for Guist Creek
Ernie Shuler – Justin Heinbokel
Rick Hensler – Herb Jones
Andy Tobe – Josh Zehler
Bill Schneider – Steve Travis
Jake Donahoe – Danny Schmitz
Tom Aynes – Darrell Penny
Tony Vieson
Bobby Farmer

It has been a difficult year to say the least. COVID, weather, politics, and crowded waters. Our sport lost an icon this year with the passing of Forest L Woods. In the beginning, it looked as if this years season may not happen. But through the dedication and focus of the club, we managed to pull through with another great season. Finishing out this year with a grand total of 124 fish weighing 193.14 pounds. Of those fish, Bill Schneider would catch the largest BASS this year with a weight of 4.51 lbs. Rick Henlser would catch the most fish this with a total of 16 fish and a total weight of 25.81 lbs. Netting him this years Angler of the Year. We’ve also seen a lot of growth and probably some of the best tournament participation in recent memory. This year the club welcomed Jake Donahoe, Bill Schneider, and Cole Gronas. We also have possibly 2 new members on the horizon for next year. We also can’t look past the fair weather stinker that was Brookville on November 8th. With great weather and blue bird skies, Brookville wasn’t making it easy on the club. Capturing only 6 fish out of 15 Anglers. However, Andy Tobe saw his first victory this year with a total of 3.27 lbs and Danny Schmitz would grab Big Bass with 2.29 lbs. The club also had a chance to fish with esteemed former member Kenny Becker. Kenny if your reading this, it was good to see you again.

From here we once again head back to the drawling board to get ready for the 2021 season. Will there be new bodies of water on the horizon? Will we see more new Anglers? Who will be next years officers? Could we see some rule changes that may impact next years results? How will things progress with the changes taking place in the Ohio Bass Federation, The Bass Federation, and the organization formally known as the FLW? Only time will tell, but you can be sure of one thing. You will see this club on the waters once again next year. To all who support our club and the sport we love. Thank you, happy holidays, and we will see you on the waters again in 2021.

It all comes down to Brookville. Mere ounces separates Rick Hensler in 1st and Ernie Shuler in 2nd for this years Angler of the Year standings, but by no means does that mean our 3rd and 4th place members are out of contention. Brookville has been known to offer up some very large fish during this time of year. A bad day for both Rick and Ernie could allow for Jake Donahoe and Bobby Farmer to swoop in and take the title. Not even Bill Schneider is out of contention. Nor is his 4.79 lb Big Bass. Does Brookville hold the monster Bass to take away Bill’s Big Bass of the year. Will find out this Sunday.

PAIRINGS

Tony Vieson – Don Stevens
Ernie Shuler – Herb Jones
Darrel Penny – Josh Zehler
Jeremy Cupp – Danny Schmitz
Andy Tobe – Justin Heinbokel
Bill Schneider – Steve Travis
Jake Donahoe – Kenneth Reatheford
Bobby Farmer – Cole Gronas

Odd man out are
Rick Hensler
Tom Aynes

As is almost tradition, the Fish Off has once again shook up the yearlong standing, but before we can into that, we must talk about the 2-day grind at Monroe. Monroe has never been a numbers lake for the club, despite being a 2 day tournament. In 2019 13 fish total, In 2017 only 12 fish were caught, in 2016 again only 12 fish, 2015 15, and 2012 had 17. But, 1 thing you can be certain of at Monroe, is size. Many times the year standing Big Bass has been dethroned after a visit to Lake Monroe. In 2012, Kern McKee upped his Big Bass from 4.77 to 4.89. Tony Vieson upped his 4.68 to 5.40 in 2016, Danny Schmitz Jr bested Ernie Shulers 4.94 with his 5.05 lb Bass in 2017. Danny Shmitz Sr. Bested Steve Travis is 2019 with his 4.79 lb Bass. Which brings us to Day 1 of Monroe 2020. Cold temperatures and high winds made for a long day of fishing, but as is tradition, Monroe offered up some health fish, with Ernie Schuler bringing in 2 bass weighing 8.26 with his largest 1 weighing 4.41lbs. Rick Hensler would find the most fish with 3 totaling 4.93, and Justin Heinbokel would close out the top 3 on day 1 with 1.93. With Jake Donahoe capturing 1, the club would close out day 1 with just 7 fish.

Day 2 is upon us, the temperature is a little better, but the wind is still aggressive. It’s another though day of fishing, but not for Rick Hensler. Once again landing 3 fish totaling 6.63 lbs with his largest fish weighing 2.85lbs. Giving him Big Bass for Day 2 and the weight to overtake Ernie Shulers day 1 lead of 8.26 lbs. Bring Rick’s total to 11.56 lbs. Ernie blanked on Day 2, but had a enough weight to hold on for 2^nd, and Jake Donehoe would climb to 3^rd with his 1 fish ending his weekend with a total of 3.36.

Now onto the Angler of the Year standing. October has proven to be the biggest shake up month this season. Will of course start with first. Rick Hensler after White Oak and Monroe is now the clubs current Angler of the Year, jumping all the way from 8^th. Ernie Shuler is nipping at Ricks heels, climbing from 6^th to 2^nd, Jake Donahoe climbs from 4^th to 3^rd, Bobby Farmer pulls his shoot now finds himself in 4^th, and Bill Schneider closes out the top 5.

With 1 tournament left, the club sets it sights on Brookville. Can Rick Hensler keep up his momentum and crab his first club Angler of the Year. Will Bill Schneider’s 4.51 Bass captured at the clubs first tournament of the season hold out for 1 more tournament. We will find out after the season closer November 1^st!!!

Fall is hear, and mother nature was at it again, blowing the club around like a kite on a string. But despite natures best efforts, the club anchored down and had its best tournament of the season. Weighing in 24 fish for a total of 27.90 lbs. Tom Aynes would take the victory at Caesar with 7.07lbs and capture big bass with 3.32 lbs. Josh Zehler would take second with 4.30 lbs, and Rick Hensler found his stride and finished third with 3.53 lbs.

With 6 tournaments in the book, the top 4 anglers added a little padding, while 5th through 10th saw another shake up. With 3 tournaments left, the Angler of the Year standings is getting close. The club heads back to the river 1 more time at White Oak. Will we see another shake up? Only time will tell.

Pairs for White Oak

Tom Aynes and Justin Heinbokel
Tony Vieson and Juda Cecere
Jake Donahoe and Josh Zehler
Bobby Farmer and Cole Gronas
Ernie Shuler and Steve Travis
Rick Hensler and Danny Schmitz
Bill Schneider

Angler of the Year Standings

1. Bobby Famer 17.45
2. Andy Tobe 13.97
3. Bill Scheider 13.49
4. Jake Donahoe 13.32
5. Josh Zehler 12.72
6. Ernie Shuler 12.67
7. Tony Vieson 11.06
8. Rick Hensler 10.91
9. Danny Scmitz 8.35
10. Tom Aynes 7.85
11. Steve Travis 7.71
12. Herb Jones 3.68
13. Justin Heinbokel 3.36
14. Jude Cecere
15. Cole Gronas

Nothing like a hot August day with plenty of boat traffic on Brookvile. While the bites were plentiful, the tired old Brookville curse remains. Lots of bridesmaids and no brides. But despite all of the potential keepers, the club managed to reel in 7 keepers for a total 10.74 lbs. Rick Hensler caught 2 fishing totaling 3.37 lbs and the Big Bass weighing 2.04 lbs. Jake Donahoe grab 2^nd with 3.21 and Bobby added a little padding to his lead with 1.64 lbs.

The club is also pleased to announce and welcome Cole Gronas to the club. Cole is wrapping up his last year with the Cincinnati Youth Bass. A fantastic club that despite COVID has managed to keep things going this year.

Angler of the year standing after 5 tournaments saw mostly gains on the lower ends. Jake Donahoe climbs back into the top 5, Tony Vieson gained a little on the leaders and remains in 5^th. Ernie Shuler gets bumped back to 6^th, Josh Zehler climbs from the cellar for 7^th, and Steve Travis falls to 8^th. Danny Schmitz drops to 9^th, and Rick Hensler now closes out the top 10.

1. Bobby Famer 15.19
2. Andy Tobe 12.17
3. Bill Scheider 11.86
4. Jake Donahoe 11.20
5. Tony Vieson 9.84
6. Ernie Shuler 9.57
7. Josh Zehler 8.42
8. Steve Travis 7.71
9. Danny Scmitz 7.48
10. Rick Hensler 7.38
11. Herb Jones 3.68
12. Justin Heinbokel 3.36
13. Tom Aynes 0.78
14. Jude Cecere
15. Cole Gronas

After a soggy tournament, Bobby Farmer drys out for a win at East Fork, nabbing 4 fish totaling 6.03 lbs. Andy Tobe misses 1st by just half a pound with 5.54 lbs, and Bill Schneider closes out the top 3 with 5.o5 lbs. Bill while closing out the top 3, also grabbed big bass for the second time this year with a weight of 3.25 lbs.

With 3 tournaments in the bag, the Angler of the Year standings is still very close

1st Bobby Farmer – 13.55 lbs
2nd Any Tobe – 12.17 lbs
3rd Bill Schneider – 11.86 lbs
4th Tony Vieson – 7.80 lbs
5th Steve Travis – 7.71 lbs

The club heads back to the river at Goose Creek. Will Bobby Farmer continue to increase his lead, or will the rest of the club swallow Farmer’s lead like a well placed Senko.

Based on my last post, I should be telling you about our trip to Tanners Creek, but what can I say about 2020. This appears to be a roll of the dice kind of year. With the being said, the club ended up at Eagle Creek. As with any trip to the Ohio River. Fishing was tough despite fairly good water temps and over cast skies. Sprinkling here and there throughout the tournament until it was time to come to shore and weigh-in. Then the sky’s opened up like it was a monsoon. All and all, the club would capture 17 fish total. 5 of that 17 belonged to Danny Schmitz who managed to hit a 5 fish limit totaling 5.13 lbs. 2nd would go to Andy Tobe who took the Big Bass of the day with his 3.79 lb fish. Justin Heinbokel grabs his first top 3 finish with 2 fish weighing 3.36 lbs.

After 2 tournaments, the top 5 for Angler of the Year standings are
1 Bobby Farmer – 7.52 lbs
2 Danny Scmithz – 7.48 lbs
3 Bill Schneider – 6.81 lbs
4 Andy Tobe – 6.63 lbs
5 Steve Travis – 5.85 lbs

Our next tournament is currently set for East Fork Lakes on June 28th. Pairings as follows
Tony Vieson and Juda Cerere
Bill Schneider and Danny Schmitz
Ernie Shuler and Herb Jones
Jake Donahoe and Steve Travis
Bobby Farmer and Josh Zehler
Tom Anyes
Rick Hensler
Andy Tobe

You know its hard to believe that it’s taken till May 31st for us to get the first tournament in the books. Pandemics and heavy rains have made fishing options very scarce, but at the end of the day, the old reliable lake of Rocky Fork made for an interesting tournament. While the morning started off nice, heavy winds through out the day would make for a challenging yet fun day. Bringing in 19 fish total and some good size bass. Guest and now rookie member Bill Schneider would join the club with style. Capturing 2 fish totaling 5.88 lbs and a Big Bass of 4.51 lbs. Taking both the win and big bass for the day. Additional rookie Jake Donahoe, starting his first full season this year would take 2nd with 3 fish totaling 5.53 lbs and a very respectable Big Bass of 3.35 lbs. Finally we wrap up the top 3 with Steve Travis with 2 fish totaling 4.95 lbs.

On June 14th, the club heads to Tanners Creek in attempts to make up for 1 of our missed tournaments earlier in the year.
Pairs will be as follows
Andy Tobey and Danny Schmitz
Tom Aynes and Steve Travis
Jake Donahoe and Juda Cecere
Ernie Schuler and Josh Zehler
Bobby Farmer and Justin Heinbokel
Rick Hensler and Herb Jones

Looks at Tanners, here comes the Butler County Bassmasters