Lake Crystal BASS Bashers

This is the 3rd year that Asher Ramerth and Xavier Lauwagie have been fishing together. Year 1 was a grind, finishing 11th in the conference. Year 2 they started putting some things together and had a very consistent year, finishing 3rd in the conference, qualified for state and ended up getting 2nd place in the state tournament and qualified for Nationals. Year 3 saw them win their first tournament and be consistent all year. This led them to winning the Greater Southwest Conference in 2026. They continually meet their goals and are looking to qualify for nationals for a second straight year next month at State on Leech Lake. Great job boys!

On Wednesday, August 12th, three Lake Crystal Bass Basher Teams took part in a Last Chance Qualifier tournent on Washington/Stella near Darwin, Minnesota. In order to move onto the state tournament, Anglers needed to finish in the top 4 of a 20 boat field. While all the teams fished until the final minutes, only one of them was able to squeak in. Carson Weinandt and Mason Linde took 4th place with a 14.75 lb bag of bass. 5th place was 14.72. Crazy how tight it was. Congrats to Mason and Carson as they extend their season to the state tournament on Leech Lake next month.

The Lake Crystal Bass Basher wrapped up the 2026 Bass Basher Tournament Series with our last event on Monday night on Reeds Lake. This was the "Big Bass" event. Anglers were looking to get one big bite. Depending on how they finished they also earned points for their team in the Team of the Year race. Xavier Lauwagie won the event and a $50 Scheels gift card by catching a 4.58lb Largemouth Close behind was Carter Weiderhoeft with a 3.92, Josh Smith with a 2.97, Asher Ramerth with a 2.82, and Liam Anderson rounded out the top 5 with a 2.60. Great Job Boys!

As we enter postseason for the 2026 season, the Lake Crystal Bass Bashers have a few teams that qualified for the Last Chance Qualifier next week on Lake Stella/Washington in Darwin, MN. our teams need to finish in the top 4 in a 20 boat field to move on to the State Tournament next month on Leech Lake. Good Luck to our Regional Qualifiers!

Asher and Xavier got to hear from a few pros today, Jake Lawrence, Tristan McCormick and John Garrett. John Garrett said, "Good Luck everyone...cause the fishing sucks out there right now." Lol. They got a picture with Bill Dance (cardboard cutout). They did learn their boat draw for tomorrow. Just about the best boat draw. 14th out of 214. If only we had fish to get to...lol. Hopefully the boys stumble into a few tomorrow. Thank you to all the sponsors that made this happen for not only these two, but all of our Bass Basher teams. Scheels

Asher Ramerth and Xavier Lauwagie of the Lake Crystal Bass Bashers are currently in Paris Tennessee for the High School National Championship on Kentucky Lake. The bite has been very tough for them and many other teams. They have one more day to prefish and the tournament begins on Thursday. Wish them luck!

The Bass Bashers had their last Conference Tournament on the Jefferson Chain on Friday, July 17th. All the boys fished hard. Linde and Weinandt ended up 2nd overall in the tournament with over 16lbs. They were the best Basher team and took home the 100 points and the Scheels gift cards in the team of the year race. Ramerth and Lauwagie finished 4th overall with a 14+ lb bag, and Anderson and Lotton caught over 10lbs for a 7th place finish overall. Attached is the up to date 2026 Bass Basher Tournament Series Standings for Team of the Year. We only have two events left. Can anyone catch the leaders at this point...we will have to wait and see. If you want to see where they all ended up at the end of the year heading into postseason, go to
https://www.minnesotajuniorbassnation.com/gsw-opens

On Monday, July 13th the Bass Bashers fished out on Lake Madison a day after a tournament. This made the fishing a little grindy but a couple of the teams were still able to put some fish in the boat. Swalve and Helleksen were the only team to put 3 fish in the boat for our Big Three Derby. Congrats to them for winning this derby, the full 75 points and the $25 Scheels gift cards. They have put together a good sophomore season and are currently tied with Wiederhoeft and Richter for 2nd place in the Bass Basher Team of the year standings. Check out our results and standings below. The season is quickly coming to a close. Only a couple more events and then postseason for those who qualify! Proud of these boys! It has been a great season.

The Lake Crystal Bass Bashers just finished up Stage #9 of the 2026 Bass Basher Tournament Series sponsored by Mankato Scheels. -Stage #9 was the All-American Virtual tournament and anglers were encourage to fish wherever they found themselves during the 4th of July weekend. Anglers and boat captains tried to win by having the best 5 fish by length using the Fish Donkey app. Ramerth and Lauwagie came out on top with 87.50 Inches and Lauwagie catching a 19" fish near the end of the tournament to give them the win. This is Ramerth and Lauwagie's 5th win of the year and 13th win since the inception of the Bass Basher Tournament Series in 2025. Nice job guys. Right behind them was Roth and Iverson with 87.25" and nearly took home first on a good smallmouth bite up north. Check out the standings and results below.

The Lake Crystal Bass Bashers continue on with the 2026 Bass Basher Tournament Series sponsored by Scheels this weekend with the ALL-AMERICAN VIRTUAL Tournament. The Bashers will be attempting to team up virtually with their angling partner and boat captain for their best bag of five largemouth or smallmouth bass. The boat captain contribution can be one of the five fish. We know everyone will be scattered across the state but we want to keep the boys fishing and getting better so they can fish on any Minnesota body of water during this tournament. Who will win 1st place and get the 75 points towards team of the year? We will know by Monday night.

HAVE A HAPPY 4TH of JULY weekend everyone! Go catch fish wherever you are.