November is here and the 2016 season is nearing its end. With only 1 tournament remaining, Angler of the Year is all but in the bag for veteran angler Ernie Shuler who currently holds the lead at 34.33 lbs for the season. However there has been some big shake ups from 2nd to 6th. Tyler Spurlock’s one fish managed to keep him in second. Danny Schmitz moves to 3rd and Tony Vieson moves to 4th with Andy Tobe falling to 5th. Bobby Farmer climbs to 6th after a great showing in the Fish Off. With only one tournament remaining, just a little more than 3 lbs separate 2nd through 5th. There is still one more chance to take away the Big Bass title for the year currently held by Tony Vieson as the fight moves onto Rocky Fork this weekend to make the final decision on who will represent the club in the 2017 Regionals.

Angler of the Year Standings
1st Ernie Shuler – 34.33 lbs
2nd Tyler Spurlock – 18.64 lbs
3rd Danny Schmitz – 18.03 lbs
4th Tony Vieson – 17.01 lbs
5th Andy Tobe – 15.39 lbs

Big Bass

Tony Vieson – 5.40 lbs

The 2016 season is almost over, which means it’s time for the Butler County Bassmasters Fish Off. One of the most competitive tournaments of the season and this year’s fish off was no exception. On day 1 Tyler Spurlock ate away a little of Ernie Shulers lead toward the Angler of the year bringing in a 2.21 lb bass. Bobby Farmer made his best showing of the season with 2 bass weighing in at 6.35 lbs. Danny Schmitz brought in 3 bass for a total of 6.88 lbs, and Tony Vieson would win the day with 2 bass totaling 7.31 lbs and would take the Big Bass win for the day with his monster 5.40 lb bass. Besting his previous Big Bass of the year, personal best, and best weigh-in since joining the Butler County Bassmasters. In what was called a gutsy move by the club, Tony Vieson let his Big Bass roll through to the next day.

Day 2 made for a tough day of fishing for all the Butler County Bassmasters. Many returned to the ramp early. Many of the Anglers had fish, but none big enough to weigh in. At the end of day 2, none of the Anglers who captured bass on day one had any fish for day 2. Which left the top 3 on pins and needles and Ernie Shuler, Toney Barker, and guest angler B.J. brought fish to the scales. Toney Barker would weigh in first with his 1.88 lb bass. B.J. would weigh in next with a fantastic 3.53 lb bass. Leaving all eyes on Ernie Shuler. Who weighed in 2 bass at 2.81 lbs. With all fish officially weighed in, the top 3 from day 1 would hold onto the spots. With Bobby Farmer finishing 3rd, Danny Schmitz fishing 2nd, and Tony Vieson who finished 3rd last year would take home his first fish off win with 7.31 lbs and his gamble on his big bass on day 1 paid off and gave him the Big Bass for the tournament of 5.40 lbs.

Thanks to a cold front provided by mother nature, the Butler County Bassmasters had great weather for fishing this past Sunday. This would be the only highlight, as fishing was difficult throughout the day. But despite tough fishing Bobby Farmer brushed the monkey off his back and brought his first fish to the scales since Guist Creek early in the season. Despite a great effort from Bob Farmer capturing 2.74 lbs, Ernie Shuler would grab his 3^rd straight victory with 6.36 lbs. Ernie once again grabbed the big bass with a 2.84 lbs bass. A great Bass for Caesars Creek.

Mother nature decided to give the Butler County Bassmasters a thorough shower at Brookville. Raining for 6 of the 8 hours of fishing. But even the rain couldn’t dampen the competitive motivation of the club, as 15 fish totaling 25.08 Ibs were caught and released, making Brookville the most productive tournament this season. In fact, every angler captured a fish including our guest angler Ryan Murphy who captured his first Small Mouth bass. It is likely that even Bobby Farmers day would have ended well had he not ran into boat troubles early in the day.

When the scales opened Tyler Spurlock took an early lead with his 3 fish, totaling 5.19 lbs, only to be bumped to 2^nd by a couple ounces by Andy Tobe with 5.23 lbs, but Andy would be left in the dust as Ernie Shuler’s 5 fish limit totaling 8.84 lbs took not only the tournament win, but the Big Bass win as well with his 2.76 lbs Large Mouth Bass.

With 3 tournaments remaining, Ernie Shuler takes the bait and runs from Tyler Spurlock, Andy Tobe reels in a little slack toward 2^nd, Danny Schmitz lets a little drag out on 3^rd.

1 – Ernie Shuler – 25.16
2 – Tyler Spurlock – 16.43
3 – Andy Tobe – 14.45
4 – Danny Schmitz Sr. – 9.33
5 – Tony Vieson – 8.91

With August officially here, the 2016 tournament season is officially half over and its certainly been a competitive season thus far. With only 4 tournaments remaining including the club fish off. Nobody is running away with the Angler of the Year crown. Even though Ernie Shuler managed to pad is lead at White Oak Creek. There is still less than 10 lbs separating 1st to 5th. With Brookville Lake approaching, we could see a some big changes or another tough tournament with the Summer heat setting in and Brookville’s 14 inch size limit. Only time will tell….

1 – Ernie Shuler – 16.32
2 – Tyler Spurlock – 11.24
3 – Andy Tobe – 9.22
4 – Danny Schmitz – 8.22
5 – Tony Vieson – 7.04

White Oak and the Ohio River once again played host to the Butler County Bassmasters. With temperatures peeking at 90 and miserable humidity, it was a tough day for fishing. The river certainly wasn’t playing nice, claiming a couple boats including Toney Barker whose day was cut short due to boat troubles.

Despite the tough conditions, Ernie Shuler managed to capture 2 largemouth weighing 3.06 lbs with his largest being 2.11 boats. Earning Ernie, the Big Bass and his 2nd tournament victory of the season. Ernie Shuler described 1 catch as pure luck and felt he must have literally cast the lure into the fish’s mouth given how muddy the water was and how quickly it hit. Andy Tobe took home second with his 1.31 lb smallmouth, capturing the 3^rd and final bass of the tournament.

Despite harsh conditions, it certainly didn’t dampen the spirit of the club. Tony Vieson who towed Toney Barker back for his second straight tournament was give the nickname of Tug Boat Tony. The club also found themselves need as they helped another fellow fisherman get their boat on their trailer.

Tanners creek and the Ohio river played host to the Butler County Bassmasters this past Sunday. Even though it was hot, mother nature decided to play nice with partly cloudy skies and a gentle breeze through out the day. Fishing was good throughout the day, but didn’t offer up a tone of keepers. But that didn’t stop club veteran Danny Schmitz from bringing 4 fish to the scales and did stop Jim Couch despite boat trouble from capturing 4 fish as well. Even newest club member Tyler Spurlock brought 3 to the scales. Despite a good quantity of fish, the tournament was decide by 1 fish. Tony Vieson captures his first club victory with his personal best large mouth bass weighing 4.68 lbs.

With Tanners in the review mirror, Ernie Shuler holds onto 1st, Tyler Spurlock moves to 2nd, Danny Schmitz climbs to 3rd, Andy Tobe despite being unable to fish holds onto 4th, and Tony Vieson inches back into the top 5 and takes over first place for Big Bass for the season. After 5 tournaments to standings are as follows.

1 – Ernie Shuler – 13.26
2 – Tyler Spurlock – 11.24
3 – Danny Schmitz – 8.22
4 – Andy Tobe – 7.91
5 – Tony Vieson 7.04

June is the month for kids when it comes to fishing for the Butler County Bassmasters. We had a great time helping out the Hamilton Optimist Youth Ranch and enjoyed the smiles from all the kids who participated. If I had to pick one moment to highlight the entire event it would be the fight put on by little Hannah Handcock. Almost the entire pond fell into silence as many witnessed little Hannah real in a monster cat fish. Same said they could see her little feet slipping in the grass trying to hold her footing. One of our Anglers practically fell in trying to net the fish. Then the congratulatory sound of on lookers clapping at little Hannah’s triumphed. A cat fish that was a long as she was tall. If you like the picture below, we have more to see. Check out a pictures section for more photos for the DD and Youth Fishing Derbys.

http://butlercountybassmasters.com/pictures/

This weekend was a busy one. On Saturday I saw some great fish come out of Lake Lorelei, caught by those talented youngsters at Cincinnati Youth Bass. Then it was onto a sleepless night and early Sunday morning starting at 2:30am to get to Grand Lake St. Marys. With a nasty algae bloom and some tough fishing. Makes you wonder how much of a St. Mary was.

If you asked Ernie Shuler or Tony Vieson, they swear they’d had the tournament won if we were fishing for Carp or Cat fish. But it was Andy Tobe who finally made it to the lake this year who has the last laugh with a 5 fish limit weighing a total of 7.91 lbs. Ronnie Crabtree grabbed second with his Big Bass of 3.05 lbs, and the only other angler Mary seemed to give it up to was Tyler Spurlock finishing 3rd with his 2.55 lb bass.

As we approach mid season, Ernie Shuler despite a fish less tournament still holds onto first, Andy Tobe with his first tournament of the season jumps to 2nd and knocks Tyler Spurlock to third. Ronnie Crabtree moves to 4th, and with a fish less weekend for the rest of the club, Danny Schmitz manages to stay in the top 5. There is still plenty of fishing to come as the Butler County Bassmasters heads to the river for the next 2 tournaments. First at Tanners Creek and followed by White Oak Creek.

It’s hard to believe that a tournament in April would start at 28 degrees, but that’s the beauty of southern Ohio weather, and yes I’m be sarcastic about the beauty part. With water temperatures down to 38 degrees in some areas. Rocky Fork was certainly stingy on the fish, but Ernie Shuler found his focus, or wasn’t distracted by his forgotten bologna sandwich and managed to land 4 fish with a total of 7.49 lbs. Ernie also landed the largest Bass of the day at 2.91 lbs.

After the second tournament of the season, Ernie Shuler jumps to first in the Angler of the Year standings. Tony Vieson with his 2.36 lbs BASS edges Bob Farmer out of the top 5. Tyler Spurlock still holds onto the Big Bass of the year. With still plenty of fishing to come. The 2016 seasons standings are

1. Ernie Shuler – 12.18
2. Tyler Spurlock – 5.25
3. Danny Schmitz – 4.00
4. Ronnie Crabtree – 2.56
5. Tony Vieson – 2.36

The next tournament is Grand Lake St. Marys