On April 21^st, 2024  20 boaters and 13 co anglers  launched at Lake Okoboji for the first state qualifier of 2024. At the state qualifier the top 3 boaters and top 3 co anglers advance to the National Semi Final in September on the Missouri River out of Springfield, SD. Okoboji stayed true to its normal self with some eye popping weights that attracts anglers from all over the state.  20lb bags are common out of Okoboji and this time of year 25lb+ bags are not un heard of. This event proved yet again why Okoboji is the premier fishery in the state of Iowa. Not only did Okoboji show off with some big bags, but the big fish were also present with 9 fish weighing over 5lb and 4 of those topping 6lb!

Boaters

1^st Place Evan Powell 26.39lb  with a 6.55lb Big Bass

2^nd Place Joe Mckay 23.88lb with a 6.30lb Big Bass

3^rd Place Koleby Van Beek 23.05lb with a 6.47lb Big Bass

Co Anglers

1^st Place Jim Garton 20.19lb

2^nd Place Lonnie Elder 10.76lb with a 5.39lb Big Bass

3^rd Place Donnie Schirmer 9.81lb

Please join us in congratulating all the anglers above that have qualified for the 2024 National Semi Final. The weights were impressive with high school angler Evan Powell leading the way on the boater side with 26.39lb and Jim Garton almost doubling second place on the co angler side with 20.19lb. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next state qualifier June 23^rd where 3 more boaters and 3 more co anglers will qualify for the National Semi Final at the Missouri River out of Springfield South Dakota this September.

Come see us at booth 148, February 22nd -23rd for the Mid Iowa Bass Masters Fisherman Swap Meet held in the 4H building at the Iowa State Fair Grounds. We will be answering all TBF questions as well as signing up new members and clubs on site.  Make sure to stop by as we will also have multiple giveaways and raffles.

The 46th Swap Meet Vendor Information 2025

46th Swap Meet Flyer 2025

When District 8 Semi Final host Nebraska announced that the National Semi Finals would be held on Lake Okoboji September 22^nd-23rd anglers were filled with excitement. Lake Okoboji is located in the NW corner of Iowa and is debatably the best fishery in the Midwest stacking up nationally against many juggernauts.  20lb bags are common on Okoboji anytime of year and 25lb+ bags are not a rare occurrence.  Often 20lbs at Okoboji will not make the top 5! Lake Okoboji consistently proves itself as the best fishery in the state. Okoboji provides a unique opportunity for anglers to spread out between  the deep and clear water in West Okoboji or the shallower and more stained lakes consisting of East Okoboji, Upper and Lower Gar. 20lb+ bags can come out of every lake in the Okoboji chain making it an appealing destination to all anglers and fishing styles.

This event at Okoboji proved no different. On Day 1, Nick Siepker  had the big bag of the event with 26.92lb and held the lead over Chard Garton who weighed in 23.01lb. Rounding out the top 3 was former college angler, Charlie DeShazer bringing in 21.40.  This event was nowhere near from over as many anglers crossed the 20lb mark and were hot on their heels going into day 2.

1. Kent Priel – 21.40, 1998 Bassmaster Classic Qualifier
2. Jared Knuth – 20.60, 2013 Bassmaster Classic Qualifier
3. Hunter Suchsland – 20.25 – 2023 Bassmaster College National Championship, 10^thplace finisher

Strong storms moved in overnight, but cleared just in time for takeoff and showed back up for a wet weigh in!   The weather definitely changed the game for day 2 as there was a lot of movement up and down the leaderboard.

On Day 2, Charlie DeShazer brought in 17.52 to finish 6^th overall.  Joe “The Zark” McKay came charging from behind weighing 24.89lbs anchored by a 7.78lb largemouth to finish 5^th overall.  Hunter Suchsland stayed consistent and brought in 19.53lbs to finish 4.  Jordan Hirt, the 2022 Bass Federation National Champion weighed 19.92lbs to finish 3^rd overall.

At the end of Day 2 it came down to the wire! Nick Siepker weighed only 15.28lbs leaving the door open for Chad Garton.  Chad also had a slower day weighing  in 18.43lbs. Chad’s two day total was 41.44lbs.  In the end only .76lbs separated the two anglers, but Garton was unable to close the gap with Siepker’s two day total weighing 42.20lbs and winning the District 8, 2023 Semi-finals.

On the co-angler side, Iowa High School State Champion Ways Raasch won District 8, 2023 Semi-finals with 31.57lbs, besting the closest angler by over 2.5 pounds!

2. Hunter Fry – 28.96
3. Mark Moorman – 27.67
4. Jon Small – 25.98
5. Hunter King – 25.97
6. Brad Rockford – 24.98

The following anglers were the top placing finishers in their state and will be going to The Bass Federation National Championship in 2024.

Nebraska
Angler: Nick Siepker
Co-Angler: Mark Moorman

South Dakota
Angler: Troy Diede
Co-Angler: Terry Laverack

Iowa
Angler: Joe “The Zark” McKay

Co-Angler: Ways Raasch

We would like to thank TBF Nebraska as they were the host state for this year National Semi Final.  We would also like to thank Bob Harris with South West Iowa Fishing Team for providing his equipment and announcing skills. In combo the pair put together an excellent National Semi Final that left anglers impressed and looking forward to next year.  Special thanks to all anglers who fished with Iowa in our inaugural year. Iowa TBF was formed quickly  in 2023 and was announced after most anglers already had there year planned out. We look forward to growing this state chapter in the years to come and with your support the sky is the limit. Until next year it is time to cheer on our anglers that will be representing Iowa at the TBF National Championship in spring of 2024. Congratulations to Joe McKay and Ways Raasch for qualifying and we look forward to cheering you both on at Nationals in your pursuit of winning the Living the Dream Package!