After multiple postponements due to weather, set the stage for more chaotic conditions, as the Friday prior to the third event of the Joe Bass Team Trail Lake of the Ozarks division, sponsored by Window World saw springlike conditions followed by an all-day cold rain on Saturday. 23 teams took off from Alhonna Resort under cloudy windy skies only to see the front push through and provide blue bird skies and no wind to finish the event. Solid weights in a weekday derby had anticipations high while the Window World leaderboard supported those high expectations at weigh in.
Andrew Messina went solo for the win by dropping a five fish limit on the scales that locked in at 18.02 pounds. Andrew’s bag included the Wilson Truck Sales big bass of the day, a 6.21 pound largemouth. He shared his Window World key to success, by slinging an a-rig all day. He had two fish in the boat at 1:00 pm when his fortunes changed. In the remaining hours of the tournament he found some big fish shallow, less than 10’, in the back of a pocket to get to his final weight.
Truman sticks Jordan Williams and Trevor Bartlett made the trip down the Osage to take the runner up spot. They also worked a-rigs to catch 20 keepers, the majority coming under the clouds and wind early. Their bag pushed the scales to 17.72 pounds. They padded their second-place check by earning Top Skeeter honors as they fished from Jordan’s 2024 ZX200 Skeeter. Jordan and Trevor enjoy the support of Expion 360 Lithium, Rugged Path Productions, and Wholesale Batteries.
Beau Harris and Lawson Hibdon rounded out the top three. They paired a jerkbait with an a-rig to boat 17.35 pounds. They estimated they went through 30 keepers to reach their final weight. Beau noted their bite picked up as the skies cleared with the bulk of their weight coming from noon on.
Anglers were treated to Lucas Oil hats and coolies, another example of the strong support Lucas provides Joe Bass Team Trail.
Forgetting to bring your empty packages of Rapala, Crush City, Storm, VMC and Suffix with your name and phone number written on them to your next Joe Bass Tournament for a chance at a tackle pack could cost you $100 in Rapala products. Drawings are done monthly throughout the tournament season.
Clear Cast Marine Electronics repair is continuing to support Joe Bass Team Trail. Their support of the Tournament of Champions and Staff Shootout opportunities at the Invitational is paramount to it’s success. SUPPORT their efforts! Be sure and visit their website for details for your repair and setup needs!
The fourth event of the 2026 Ozarks Division will takeoff from Alhonna Resort Sunday 3/1 with a 7:30 am takeoff. Don’t forget to update your fishing license!
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Photos
Results
| Place | Team Members | Fish | B/F | TotWgt | Pts | Payout |
| 1 | Andrew Messina – *fished aalone | 5 | 6.2 | 18.02 | 220 | $1,870.00 |
| 2 | Jordan Williams – Trevor Bartlett | 5 | 4.2 | 17.72 | 219 | $1,160.00 |
| 3 | Beau Harris – *Lawson Hibdon | 5 | 5.1 | 17.35 | 218 | $510.00 |
| 4 | Adam Boehle – Mark Wilson | 5 | 4.6 | 17.22 | 217 | $208.00 |
| 5 | Matt King – Kody Yates | 5 | 5.9 | 17.18 | 216 | $90.00 |
| 6 | Dallas Stamper – Jason Hollandsworth | 5 | 4.8 | 15.4 | 215 | |
| 7 | Mark Wasson – *Jim Gianladis | 5 | 14.64 | 214 | ||
| 8 | Mike. Scott – Darryl Zastrow | 5 | 3.4 | 13.56 | 213 | |
| 9 | Todd Miller – Mathew Miller | 5 | 3 | 12.55 | 212 | |
| 10 | Chris Bridges – | 5 | 3 | 12.03 | 211 | |
| 11 | Larry Hastings – William Francis | 5 | 3.6 | 11.39 | 210 | |
| 12 | David Conner – Bradly Robbins | 4 | 9.8 | 209 | ||
| 13 | Keith LaBarge – Roger LaBarge | 4 | 3.2 | 8.97 | 208 | |
| 14 | Mark Dunbar – Johnny Bell | 4 | 2.9 | 8.1 | 207 | |
| 15 | Scott Ahart – | 5 | 7.33 | 206 | ||
| 16 | Rocky Carden – Trenton Choate | 3 | 6.84 | 205 | ||
| 17 | Dylan Campbell – Jason Lumley | 2 | 4.1 | 6.41 | 204 | |
| 18 | Brendan Ackerman – Oliver Siebert | 3 | 3.2 | 6.15 | 203 | |
| 19 | Mark Thompson – Rusty Darnell | 3 | 4.51 | 202 | ||
| 20 | Ricardo Guzman – | 0 | 20 | |||
| *fished aalone – Chris Bolte | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Rich Rayfield – Joshua Harley | 0 | 20 | ||||
| John Shanahan – Dan Allison | 0 | 20 |
*alternate