Bassmaster Event Brings 300 Anglers To Muskogee

The Bassmaster fishing series is making a stop at Three Forks Harbor near Muskogee. Some of the top anglers in the nation will leave the dock Thursday morning, for the competition that could land one fisherman a spot in the Bassmaster's championship.

The competition means a lot of action on the water, and for Muskogee's economy.

Crews at Three Forks Harbor near Muskogee, were setting up tents and getting ready for a big crowd, and a lot of fun.

A Bassmaster 2014 Central Open event will be held on the Arkansas River, and Pro Ralph Laster can't wait.

"I like to tell people I've beat everybody you've ever heard of, it's just beating them all on the same day is real hard,” Laster laughed.

The three day event, which starts Thursday, will attract 300 anglers from all over the U.S.

Laster's been practicing for four days on the river.

“I've spent way more time not catching fish in practice than catching them, the idea in tournaments is to spend more time catching them than not catching them,” Laster said.

Last time the event was held here, Laster missed the cut by only a pound and a half. While he's a veteran, the event is also drawing younger pros, like Sam George who at 19, is one of the youngest competitors.

"Oh man, it's a blast. There's nothing in the world that even compares to when you have a big bag of fish and you're about to come to a weigh in,” said George.

The tournament will span across the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, on water open to public fishing.

Laster said the Arkansas River is one of his favorite places to fish.

"I like to fish shallow in places with a lot of timber, and things in it that fish can lay against, I like a target,” he said.

The pros and vendors will all spend money on hotel rooms, restaurants, gas and more for a solid week, and it's great nationwide exposure for Muskogee since the daily weigh-ins are carried live on bassmaster.com

"If you look at the numbers, it's amazing what this kind of event can produce for a small town,” George said.

Weigh-ins will be at 3:00 Thursday and Friday afternoon at Three Forks Harbor. The final weigh-in will be at 4:00 Saturday afternoon at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow.