McFetridge team nets 29.69 pounds to win 2015 Buddy Bass Tourney
Mark Twain Lake’s largest bass fishing tournament celebrated its 31st year last weekend, as 144 teams competed for big money in the 2-day event.
A total of 14 places split more than $16,000 in total prize money, plus cash was awarded each day for the two biggest fish caught.
During the tournament, which took place September 19 and 20, the teams caught 406 fish with a total weight of more than 962 pounds. The average weight of fish caught in the tournament was 2.37#
The team of Don McFetridge and Gary McFetridge captured the tournament’s top prize of $4,800. The duo boated keepers weighing 29.67 pounds for the weekend.
The team of Greg Cooper and Robin Hessling took the second place prize with fish totaling 26.65 pounds, earning them $3,400 for the weekend.
Third place went to the duo of Jim Coyner and Mike Watawa, with 25.95 pounds. They earned $2,150.
Chris Janda and Leisa Janda took home more than $500 for catching Saturday’s Big Bass, which tipped the scales at 5.19 pounds. The cash prize for second place for Big Bass on Saturday went to Keith Hendrix and Gary Cooper, with a 5.15 pound fish.
Don McFetridge and Gary McFetridge captured the first place prize for Big Bass on Sunday with a 5.41 pound fish. It was the biggest bass of the weekend. The second place check for Big Bass on Sunday went to Tom Herndon and Justin Cressler for a 4.83 pound bass.
The tournament is sponsored by Golden Eagle Distributing of Hannibal, which also donates additional cash prizes.
It is based out of Blackjack Marina in the Ray Behrens Recreation Area.
A portion of the proceeds are donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
