Michael Grejtak, left, and Gustav Viehweg stand with their check for winning the 2023 Rotary Bass Tournament.
The 23rd annual Rotary Bass Tournament was held on Lake Jacksonville on Sunday, April 2. Thirty-seven boats competed in the first buddy tournament of the season. Michael Grejtak of Benld and Gustav Viehweg of Mt. Olive won the tournament with a total weight of 24.01 pounds. The “Big Bass,” also caught by Grejtak and Viehweg, weighed in at 7.31 pounds.
Rotary president Lisa Kluge said, “The Jacksonville Rotary Club wishes to thank the tournament sponsors and all of the people who competed, as well as the many Rotarian volunteers and the City of Jacksonville Department of Parks and Lakes staff for their assistance with the tournament.”
Gustav Viehweg, left, and Michael Grejtak hold their winning fish at the tournament. Tournament co-chair David Fisher is also pictured at right.
Tournament chair David Fisher said, “We were really happy to include several high school bass fishing teams in this year’s competition. We hope to encourage more young people to engage in the sport of bass fishing.”
The 2023 results are as follows:
First place ($900): Michael Grejtak of Benld and Gustav Viehweg of Mt. Olive, 24.01 pounds
Second place ($800): Keith Curless of Plymouth and Daniel Curless of Jacksonville, 13.02 pounds
Third place ($700): Brian Lafferty and Carson Belville of Bluffs, 10.41 pounds
Fourth Place ($500): Adam Hillis and Greg Hillis of Jacksonville, 8.71 pounds
Fifth place ($300): David Knollhoff and Glenn Robson of Jacksonville, 7.88 pounds (Tiebreaker for this place was determined by the biggest bass: 5.30)
Seventh place ($125): Ryan Shaw and Richard Snodgrass of Bluffs 6.65 pounds.
Sixth place ($200): Kevin Brunstein of Jacksonville and David Hoots of Auburn, 7.88 pounds (biggest bass: 4.10)
Eighth place ($100): Kevin Mathews of Roodhouse and Jimmy Dietel II of Loami, 5.94 pounds
Big Bass ($390): Michael Grejtak of Benld and Gustav Viehweg of Mt. Olive, 7.31 pounds
About Rotary: Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Visit jacksonvillerotary.org for more about Rotary.
