MOSES LAKE — The Bass Anglers Magazine is returning to the Potholes Reservoir this weekend for the BAM Trail Professional-Amateur Bass Fishing tournament hosted by Mardon Resort. 

“We try to put on a real solid event,” said Mark Lassagne, BAM CEO and Tournament Director. “Give them really something cool to fish for besides money.” 

Amateur anglers who signed up by the end of Monday will be paired with a different professional each day of the tournament. The duo will then work together on the pro’s boat to be the top anglers each day.  

“Basically it’s like a guide trip where they get to go out fishing for two to three days with a pro and then have the chance to win some great prizes,” said Lassagne. 

The tournament is open to public spectators with daily weigh-ins taking place at 2:30 p.m. at Mardon Resort each day of the three-day tournament. Audience members can see competitors launch off at 5 a.m., bring their catches to the scale and update the leaderboards. 

“We have a pretty big stage, like a 35-foot foldout trailer that turns into a stage with a dedicated MC,” said Lassagne.  

Sunday will serve as the championship day of the tournament as the Top 10 Pros and Co-Anglers will battle for the title. All weigh-ins and Championship Sunday activities will be free and open to the public. 

Prizes from the Bass tourney include cash payouts, contingency awards, and the grand prize of a Mercury-powered Vexus 1880 fishing boat. Pro Anglers are vying for a $250,000 championship prize along with a Mercury-powered Vexus 1880 fishing boat. 

Drawings for prizes will be held with a $250 and a $500 gift card for Tackle Warehouse. Top anglers who arrive with a late model Toyota also have a chance at a prize of $1000 or $750. 

The pros will also be competing to qualify for the Super 60 tournament at the end of the season. Lassagne said this tournament is made up of the top five anglers from the endpoints around the northwest region. 

“Plus, we have some amazing trophies,” he said. “We work hard to put on a good event for these guys.” 

Fish caught during the tournament will be placed into a fish care system with 500-600 gallon tanks circulating and cooling water. Lassagne said this ensures that the fish can make it back into the lake in a healthy state. 

For those who are interested in seeing the tournament but won’t be able to make it out to Mardon Resort, the event will be broadcast live on BAM’s YouTube, Facebook and Tik Tok. 

Tournament preview begins Thursday, June 18, and the competition kicks off Friday, June 19. 

BAM Bass Fishing Tourney 

June 19-21 

Mardon Resort 

8198 WA-262, Othello 

    A competitor at last year’s Potholes Reservoir tournament holds up his catch while out on the lake.
 BAM INC   

    During last year’s Potholes Reservoir Pro-AM tourney, two anglers are paired up on the pro’s boat on the water looking for a winning catch.
  

    An angler holds up his two largemouth bass on stage while next to the MC during the Potholes tournament last year.