Bass Trek: La Crosse

Scenes from the Old Milwaukee Bassmaster Bass Trek Challenge in La Crosse.

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General manager Cody Appel, left, and Owner Dan Nelson opened the doors of their establishment, Tom Sawyer’s Bar & Grill, to Bass Trek competitors.
General manager Cody Appel, left, and Owner Dan Nelson opened the doors of their establishment, Tom Sawyer’s Bar & Grill, to Bass Trek competitors.
Michigan Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens (left) and B.A.S.S. Nation director Jon Stewart were on hand to welcome Old Milwaukee Bass Trek anglers to Tom Sawyer’s Bar & Grill.
Michigan Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens (left) and B.A.S.S. Nation director Jon Stewart were on hand to welcome Old Milwaukee Bass Trek anglers to Tom Sawyer’s Bar & Grill.
The Old Milwaukee Girls helped Bass Trek anglers feel at home at Tom Sawyer’s Bar & Grill. They are, from left, Maggie Skolos, Tabitha Dustin and Stephanie Zieke.
The Old Milwaukee Girls helped Bass Trek anglers feel at home at Tom Sawyer’s Bar & Grill. They are, from left, Maggie Skolos, Tabitha Dustin and Stephanie Zieke.
Besides free Old Milwaukee beer, Bass Trek competitors received free Old Milwaukee memorabilia, including t-shirts, ball caps and beer coolers.
Besides free Old Milwaukee beer, Bass Trek competitors received free Old Milwaukee memorabilia, including t-shirts, ball caps and beer coolers.
The Old Milwaukee girls helped the anglers find the right size shirts and posed and snapped pictures.
The Old Milwaukee girls helped the anglers find the right size shirts and posed and snapped pictures.
Free beer, a free t-Shirt and the Old Milwaukee Girls equals a fun time.
Free beer, a free t-Shirt and the Old Milwaukee Girls equals a fun time.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens greets a Bass Trek competitor.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens greets a Bass Trek competitor.
Old Milwaukee beer was plentiful at the Bass Trek meet and greet.
Old Milwaukee beer was plentiful at the Bass Trek meet and greet.
Old Milwaukee ice buckets were available to keep beer cold.
Old Milwaukee ice buckets were available to keep beer cold.
Bass and beer appears to sit well with these Wisconsin fishermen.
Bass and beer appears to sit well with these Wisconsin fishermen.
Kurt Weber, Dale Weber and Louis Olvitt exchange bass stories at the Bass Trek gathering.
Kurt Weber, Dale Weber and Louis Olvitt exchange bass stories at the Bass Trek gathering.
Kicks 106.3 radio was on hand Friday night for the Bass Trek festivities.
Kicks 106.3 radio was on hand Friday night for the Bass Trek festivities.
Kicks 106.3 radio DJ John Stevenson interviews Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens.
Kicks 106.3 radio DJ John Stevenson interviews Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens.
Kicks 106.3 radio provided a box where you drop in what you thought would be the winning weight for the tournament. The closest guess would receive $250 from Old Milwaukee.
Kicks 106.3 radio provided a box where you drop in what you thought would be the winning weight for the tournament. The closest guess would receive $250 from Old Milwaukee.
More smiles, more pictures, more Old Milwaukee memorabilia.
More smiles, more pictures, more Old Milwaukee memorabilia.
Old Milwaukee Girl Stephanie Zieke helps Jesse Heinecke find the right size Old Milwaukee T-shirt.
Old Milwaukee Girl Stephanie Zieke helps Jesse Heinecke find the right size Old Milwaukee T-shirt.
Chris Fredrick and Ron Twardowski look sharp in their B.A.S.S. Nation hoodies.
Chris Fredrick and Ron Twardowski look sharp in their B.A.S.S. Nation hoodies.
These Bass Trek anglers make themselves comfortable at Tom Sawyer’s Bar & Grill on the evening before the tournament.
These Bass Trek anglers make themselves comfortable at Tom Sawyer’s Bar & Grill on the evening before the tournament.
A good crowd showed up Friday night at Tom Sawyer’s Bar & Grill to meet the BASS staff, other competitors and to enjoy what Old Milwaukee had to offer.
A good crowd showed up Friday night at Tom Sawyer’s Bar & Grill to meet the BASS staff, other competitors and to enjoy what Old Milwaukee had to offer.
A light drizzle didn’t bother Bass Trek anglers that showed up for the Friday evening get together at Tom Sawyer’s Bar & Grill. These anglers took refuge under a table umbrella.
A light drizzle didn’t bother Bass Trek anglers that showed up for the Friday evening get together at Tom Sawyer’s Bar & Grill. These anglers took refuge under a table umbrella.
Old Milwaukee Girl Tabitha Dustin draws to see who will fish with Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens the next day.
Old Milwaukee Girl Tabitha Dustin draws to see who will fish with Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens the next day.
Jeff Holthans is more than happy to spend Saturday morning fishing with Chad Pipkens.
Jeff Holthans is more than happy to spend Saturday morning fishing with Chad Pipkens.
Mike McQuitty (left) and B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart are at the ramp well before daylight to get the anglers signed up and organized.
Mike McQuitty (left) and B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart are at the ramp well before daylight to get the anglers signed up and organized.
B.A.S.S. staff members Maria Sanders (in red) and April Phillips help Bass Trek anglers sign in Saturday morning.
B.A.S.S. staff members Maria Sanders (in red) and April Phillips help Bass Trek anglers sign in Saturday morning.
Trays of fresh cinnamon rolls were at the registration for no charge.
Trays of fresh cinnamon rolls were at the registration for no charge.
Hot coffee was available to wash down the cinnamon rolls.
Hot coffee was available to wash down the cinnamon rolls.
Bass Trek anglers that launched early beached their boats on the shore near the ramp.
Bass Trek anglers that launched early beached their boats on the shore near the ramp.
Bass Trek anglers at La Crosse brought what may be the most eclectic group of bass boats ever assembled. They were old to new, fiberglass and aluminum.
Bass Trek anglers at La Crosse brought what may be the most eclectic group of bass boats ever assembled. They were old to new, fiberglass and aluminum.
Even boats with small outboards were present.
Even boats with small outboards were present.
The damaged skeg on the outboard indicates that the owner is a true river rat.
The damaged skeg on the outboard indicates that the owner is a true river rat.
Jon Stewart goes over the rules minutes before takeoff.
Jon Stewart goes over the rules minutes before takeoff.
The anglers hustle to their boats and start their engines.
The anglers hustle to their boats and start their engines.
The morning was not as hectic for Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens. He wasn’t entered in the tournament.
The morning was not as hectic for Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens. He wasn’t entered in the tournament.
Jeff Holthans wasn’t in the tournament, but he knew he was in for a great day on the water with Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens.
Jeff Holthans wasn’t in the tournament, but he knew he was in for a great day on the water with Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens.
Jeremiah Shaver and Jesse Heinecke are the first boat through the inspection line.
Jeremiah Shaver and Jesse Heinecke are the first boat through the inspection line.
They idle around the waiting boats en route to their first stop.
They idle around the waiting boats en route to their first stop.
Jon Stewart calls out boat numbers.
Jon Stewart calls out boat numbers.
Jon Stewart inspects a live-well and gives the OK.
Jon Stewart inspects a live-well and gives the OK.
This team started fishing within sight of the boat ramp.
This team started fishing within sight of the boat ramp.
The sun broke through first thing in the morning and revealed autumn’s gold.
The sun broke through first thing in the morning and revealed autumn’s gold.
The air was chilly, but the view was spectacular.
The air was chilly, but the view was spectacular.
Surroundings like this are part of what bass fishing is all about.
Surroundings like this are part of what bass fishing is all about.
Some anglers started in protected creeks for largemouth bass.
Some anglers started in protected creeks for largemouth bass.
Jeremiah Shaver (on bow) and Jesse Heinecke cast A-rigs.
Jeremiah Shaver (on bow) and Jesse Heinecke cast A-rigs.
Jeremiah sets the hook.
Jeremiah sets the hook.
He works the bass around the bow of the boat. “I’ve got two on,” he said.
He works the bass around the bow of the boat. “I’ve got two on,” he said.
He carefully leads the bass toward the net.
He carefully leads the bass toward the net.
Almost mine.
Almost mine.
Mine!
Mine!
Jeremiah holds up the biggest of the two bass. He said it was the first double he had ever gotten on an A-Rig.
Jeremiah holds up the biggest of the two bass. He said it was the first double he had ever gotten on an A-Rig.
Jeremiah swings aboard a largemouth that won’t upgrade the one he has.
Jeremiah swings aboard a largemouth that won’t upgrade the one he has.
The A-rig did the trick again.
The A-rig did the trick again.
Many bass during the tournament were caught from riprap and rocky banks.
Many bass during the tournament were caught from riprap and rocky banks.
Another angler slings an A-rig.
Another angler slings an A-rig.
These anglers fish in opposite directions to cover more water.
These anglers fish in opposite directions to cover more water.
It doesn’t appear to be paying off.
It doesn’t appear to be paying off.
Bass Trek anglers runs to another spot. Are they after a largemouth or a smallmouth?
Bass Trek anglers runs to another spot. Are they after a largemouth or a smallmouth?
This drawbridge rises so big boats can pass through.
This drawbridge rises so big boats can pass through.
Bass Trek anglers fish around the pilings of the drawbridge.
Bass Trek anglers fish around the pilings of the drawbridge.
One of them sets the hook.
One of them sets the hook.
It’s a bass, but not exactly what was in mind.
It’s a bass, but not exactly what was in mind.
With a dandy smallmouth like this, it’s time to find a matching largemouth.
With a dandy smallmouth like this, it’s time to find a matching largemouth.
The La Crosse Queen paddleboat is about to go into hibernation for the winter.
The La Crosse Queen paddleboat is about to go into hibernation for the winter.
These Bass Trek anglers fish a shallow point that was holding good bass in practice. They’re not home on this day.
These Bass Trek anglers fish a shallow point that was holding good bass in practice. They’re not home on this day.
A Bass Trek team casts swimming jigs tight to the bank.
A Bass Trek team casts swimming jigs tight to the bank.
Their strategy produced this quality largemouth.
Their strategy produced this quality largemouth.
They move to a rocky bank and pick up a keeper smallmouth. They’ll need one bigger to be in contention.
They move to a rocky bank and pick up a keeper smallmouth. They’ll need one bigger to be in contention.
These anglers are happy with their largemouth, but they know they’ll need to cull it and come up with a good smallmouth, too.
These anglers are happy with their largemouth, but they know they’ll need to cull it and come up with a good smallmouth, too.
Bass Trek fishermen were welcomed to the ramp with this Old Milwaukee banner.
Bass Trek fishermen were welcomed to the ramp with this Old Milwaukee banner.
An aerated holding tank was set up near the scales to ensure the bass were released alive.
An aerated holding tank was set up near the scales to ensure the bass were released alive.
Each angler had his biggest bass weighed. Had their been a tie, the weight of the big bass would be used as a tiebreaker.
Each angler had his biggest bass weighed. Had their been a tie, the weight of the big bass would be used as a tiebreaker.
Chia Vang (right) and Jeff Bye clinched victory and $2,000 with 7.46 pounds. Their catch was anchored by a rotund 5.42-pound smallmouth.
Chia Vang (right) and Jeff Bye clinched victory and $2,000 with 7.46 pounds. Their catch was anchored by a rotund 5.42-pound smallmouth.
Jimmy Johnson and Dan Thill nabbed second place and $1,000 with two bass that weighed 7.36 pounds.
Jimmy Johnson and Dan Thill nabbed second place and $1,000 with two bass that weighed 7.36 pounds.
This youngster helped her dad release his bass after the fish had been weighed.
This youngster helped her dad release his bass after the fish had been weighed.
Jon Stewart makes as last call for anglers to weigh in.
Jon Stewart makes as last call for anglers to weigh in.
There was more Old Milwaukee memorabilia given away after the tournament was over.
There was more Old Milwaukee memorabilia given away after the tournament was over.
Looks like a good fit.
Looks like a good fit.
The Old Milwaukee Girls were kept busy handing out memorabilia.
The Old Milwaukee Girls were kept busy handing out memorabilia.
There was plenty to give away.
There was plenty to give away.
And let’s not forget about the free pizza.
And let’s not forget about the free pizza.
There was all the pizza you could eat.
There was all the pizza you could eat.
After a hard morning of fishing, fresh pizza goes down pretty good.
After a hard morning of fishing, fresh pizza goes down pretty good.