July 15, 2021 at 2:07 p.m.
Third annual Rod Gaskill Memorial Bass Tournament to be held on Boom Lake Aug. 21
Third annual Rod Gaskill Memorial Bass Tournament to be held on Boom Lake Aug. 21
By Beckie Gaskill-bjoki@lakelandtimes.com
In 2018, Gaskill lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. The memorial tournament has become a way to not only remember Gaskill, but to raise money for something that was near to his heart - getting kids involved in fishing. This year the tournament has two recipients. Organizers will hold a raffle that is also open to the public on the day of the tournament. All proceeds from this raffle, as well as 10% of tournament entry fees, will be donated to the GO Program.
The GO Program was the brainchild of bass angler and custom rod designer Kelly Callaway. He refurbishes old rods and reels as well as collects tackle and baits and donates all of these to kids in the foster care program in Wisconsin.
"I don't ever even meet the kids," Callaway said. "And I'm okay with that. I just hope, I don't know, if one kid - if it makes a difference to even one kid, then I think I did my job." He said his idea was to take kids whose lives were already turned somewhat upside down and get them to "GO" outside and "GO" fishing. This organization fits well with the memorial tournament because Gaskill was all about getting the next generation into fishing.
Tournament organizers will also hold a 50/50 raffle drawing. This drawing will also be open to the public the day of the event. Proceeds from this raffle will be donated to Little Lakes Memories in Merrill. This organization also focuses on kids, getting them out hunting and fishing. Kids who may have some physical disabilities, or who are sick, can go to Little Lakes Memories with their families for a respite from their daily troubles. Gaskill learned about this organization shortly before becoming sick himself, and organizers are certain he would love knowing his tournament was helping them out.
The tournament also has some fun twists for anglers. There are three sponsored "Dash for Cash" hours. In these hours, anglers who believe they caught the biggest fish of the hour can come and weigh one fish. Anglers do not know who else has weighed in during any given hour or the weight of those fish. This surprise is revealed at the end of the tournament. Winning weights each hour will receive $100 for their efforts.
The tournament also has a "secret weight," which is sponsored by Arbor Vitae Marine. The secret weight is not known, even to tournament organizers, but it gives every team a chance at cashing a check, even if they do not place high in the tournament.
There will be plaques for first through third place, sponsored by ProSticker, as well as a big largemouth and big smallmouth award. One place will be paid for every five boats in the tournament, with the field capped at 50 boats. There will also be other great prizes for those in the tournament.
Let's Go Fishing, an organization with which Gaskill was involved, will serve food and beverages will be available for purchase to all who attend. The general public is welcome to come to the weigh-in, which will start at 3 p.m. at the pavilion near the boat landing at Hodag Park. Awards will be presented and raffles given away after the weigh in is complete.
Entry fee to the tournament is $150 per two-person team. There is also an optional big bass pot of $20 per team. This will be split between big largemouth and big smallmouth. All rules of the Wisconsin Bass Team Trail apply to this tournament.
For more information about rules, or to download an entry form, go to the Wisconsin Bass Team Trail website wisconsinbassteamtrail.com and click on the "Rod Gaskill Memorial" tab.
Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at bgaskill@lakelandtimes.com.
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