The Blackfish Classic Tournament for Bass on Monday, July 27 did not disappoint regional bass anglers. For the third year in a row, the Blackfish Classic was hosted on Lake Minnetonka with many checks awarded. 200 anglers competed in a 100 boat field, fifteen checks and multiple prizes were handed out including a $10,000 check for 1st place.
Top finishers include 1st Place Nathan Whiting and Chris Amiot with a 19 pound 8 ounce bag; 2nd place Nhia Yang and Peter Lowith with 18 pounds 15 ounces, and Third Place honors went to David Sicheneder and Kyle Minke with 18 pounds 11 ounces. Big bass honors went to Dylan Roth with a fat Minnetonka Largemouth weighing 5 pounds 7 ounces — he will receive an additional $500 check for that big fish.
Hosted at Lord Fletcher’s, the one-day tournament has grown to become the largest single-day bass tournament in Minnesota. The combination of high and payouts, prizes, great food, and a 5-fish bag made this tournament very appealing to all anglers. With 40 anglers walking away with a check, this tournament garnered regional appeal, attracting more than just Minnesota participants — anglers came from across the Midwest including Illinois, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
Emceed by Matt Johnson, Blackfish Pro Director, the Blackfish Classic was designed to be a pure, and simple competititve event, with 100% of entry fees going back into the payouts and event celebration. “It’s always a fun day when 200 bass anglers show up to face-off at a phenomenal bass fishery,” notes Johnson. “It’s a great lake with good bags, and the chances that anglers walk away with a check are better than most other tournaments. It’s become one of the most sought-after bass tournaments in the Midwest.”
The win is bittersweet for First Place finisher Nathan Whiting. “It’s been six years since I threw a bait on Lake Minnetonka,” explains Whiting, “A day of pre-fishing certainly helped, but to come in with a first-place bag is so cool, especially given the level of talented anglers fishing it.”
The Blackfish Classic Tournament, now in it’s third year, has no pre-fishing point or qualifications, and hence is becoming a local favorite with anglers, almost the “must-fish” tournmanet of the year. And thanks to dedicated sponsors, this has become yearly tradition. Sponsors include Outdoor News Publications, All Terrain Tackle, Your Boat Club, FVP Products, Johnson Pump, Lakewood Products, Blue 42 Agency and Premier Banks. The event was broadcast live, but the full weigh in can be viewed on the Blackfish Gear Facebook page. The complete list of winners, weights, as well as a photo gallery are available at BlackfishClassic.com.
