Smallmouth Galore at Lake Oahe
The TBF Northern Divisional got underway on Wednesday at Lake Oahe, in Pierre, South Dakota. Although known mostly as a walleye fishery, many locals anglers noted that Oahe had a pretty healthy bass population as well. Day 1 did not disappoint as the weigh in unfolded. Out of the seven states that were participating, all but three anglers weighed in fish out of the 84 angler field. There were 47 limits on the first day that totaled 834-01 pounds. Brian Saari, from Madison , Wisconsin took home the big bass honors for the first day with a beautiful 5-13 pound smallmouth.
Only ounces separated the top five anglers, as David Reault, of Livonia, Michigan was the overall leader with a limit that weighed 19-09 pounds. Just behind him with 19-06 pounds was South Dakota angler Shane Cowan. Four ounces behind him was Brian Saari, of Madison, Wisconsin, with 19-02 pounds. Fourth place is Jeremy Wollman, of South Dakota with 19-01 pounds. Rounding out the top five was Troy Diede, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota with 18-06 pounds. Every single fish that was weighed in on Wednesday were all smallmouth bass.
In the state competition, South Dakota got off to a good start with 165-06 pounds. Illinois sits in second with 136-09 pounds and Michigan stands in third with 122-02 pounds. The rest of the states are as follows. Wisconsin 118-12 pounds, Indiana 115-13 pounds, Ohio 90-10 pounds and Minnesota 84-13 pounds.
At the conclusion of the event on Friday, the top two heaviest weights from each of the seven states will advance to the 2017 TBF Federation National Championship next spring. Visit our TBF Facebook page for all the photos from this event and for complete results and standings
