VAN WERT — Three different categories were contested during Saturday’s Van Wert Parks & Recreation Department fishing tournament on Van Wert Reservoir #2 (southern reservoir). More than 40 anglers and eight boats participated.
In the catfish division, 66 qualifying catfish were caught. Carson Byer finished first, registering five fish and a final weigh-in of 14-pounds 6-ounces. Cory Hoops finished second with four fish weighing in at 13 pounds, 9 ounces. He also landed the big fish of the day that registered in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce and 27 inches long. Third place went to Jeremy Byer, who pulled in 10 pounds of catfish.
The bass division was won by Darren Gutierrez as he registered two smallmouth bass weighing in at 3 pounds, 12 ounces. Second place, and big fish champion, went to Auburn, Indiana, native Brian Bell, who was able to hook a 2 pound, 15 ounce largemouth bass. Third place was secured by area fisherman Gil Gutierrez, who caught a 2 pound smallmouth bass.
Among those competing in the panfish division, which included bluegill, sunfish and perch more than 6 inches and crappie more than 9 inches, Austin Walker and John McKinsey were able to net 54 qualifying fish that earned them first place. Second-place Dusten Harris and Allen Farris recorded 53 fish. Third place went to Areena Hammons who brought in 36. The big fish was caught by Kevin Semer, who registered an 11 3/4 inch crappie.
Tournaments are planned for the 2021 season. Go to vanwert.org or follow the City of Van Wert social media pages to keep up to date on future events, results and registration information or call the park office at 419-238-9121.
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