A Record-Setting Day at Winton Woods

All, Fishin' Line
The winning teams show off their plaques after a long morning of fishing on Saturday, September 7.

The sixth and final Bass Series Tournament of 2019 was at Winton Woods Lake on September 7. Twenty-six teams of anglers entered the event and 21 of those teams brought fish to the scales. There were six bass caught that weighed more than 4 lbs. We weighed a total of 164.28 lbs. of fish and every one of them were released back into the lake.

On a day that so many found success, one team would dominate. Ben Luebberst and Fred James won the tournament with a five-fish limit that weighed 17.45 lbs! Their giant limit included the biggest bass ever weighed in a tournament at Winton Woods Lake: a 6.85 lbs.-trophy fish! Their lucky day paid off; plaques, Great Parks gift cards and prizes from Wieda’s Marine and Hamilton Bait & Tackle totaling near $900 went home with this duo.

James and Luebberst pose with their winning fish, including the whopper that weighed 6.85 pounds (far right).

Mike and Mark Toht finished second with a limit that totaled 12.65 lbs. They won plaques and $455 in Great Parks gift cards. Tom and Tim Haas finished third with 12.41 lbs., winning plaques and $273 in Great Parks gift cards.

Brent Jones and Ryan Zwick weighed in 9.82 lbs. and finished in ninth place. But it wasn’t a bad day for the front-running team. They finished with a total of 163 points and are the 2019 Bass Series Anglers of The Year! This is the second time in three years that Jones has won Angler of the Year!

The top 20 anglers after the final regular season tournament have now qualified for the Bass Series Championship. The championship tournament will be a two-day contest at Miami Whitewater Forest Lake on October 12 and Winton Woods Lake on October 13. The Champions will win a $1,000 shopping spree to Bass Pro Shops.

As the results from September 7 show, Great Parks lakes offer excellent early fall fishing. You don’t have to be a tournament angler to enjoy success on the water. Winton Woods Harbor and Sharon Woods Harbor are now open on weekends until October 20. Miami Whitewater Forest Harbor is open daily through October 27. Lake Isabella Boathouse is open daily until November 3.

I hope to see you on the water!


Neal Ramsey
Director of Guest Experiences, West Region