Outdoors digest for April 24

So, how much is a trophy bass worth?

For Justin Swast of Pevely, Mo., it was a big, swimming paycheck.

Competing in the Big Bass Bash last weekend at Lake of the Ozarks, Swast caught a 7.56-pound bass. By the end of the big-bass tournament run by Anglers in Action, that fish was the champ … and worth $60,000.

“When I set the hook, the rod loaded up, and I said to myself, ‘This is a grown one,’” Swast said in a press release. “She came up and thrashed with her mouth wide open, and I said, ‘Get the net. This is the winning fish.’”

Swast called the shot. On only his fifth cast of the day Sunday, he caught the bass that turned out to be the big-money fish. Tim Olah was second ($20,000) with a bass that weighed 7.34 pounds. John McDaniel was third ($10,000) with a bass weighing 7.30 pounds.

Swast caught the bass using a Carolina rig with a plastic bait made by Crock O’ Gator called a Swamp Bug Senior in 15 to 20 feet of water out from a spawning area.

The tournament, which is reserved for amateurs only, features time-slot prizes for fishermen who catch the biggest bass and a large paycheck for the angler who lands the largest overall fish.

Turkey opener

The Missouri turkey season got off to a good start Monday when hunters checked in 6,697 birds — the highest opening-day total in four years.

Hunters shot 5,913 birds the first day of the 2014 season.

Franklin was the leading county on this year’s opener, with 180 turkeys taken. Callaway was second with 141 and Saint Clair third with 139.

The Missouri season continues through May 10.

Focus on the Kansas City outdoors

Looking to explore the outdoors in the Kansas City area?

The Conservation Federation of Missouri invites Kansas City area residents to come inside to learn about the outside.

The first in a series of the organization’s regional events is set for May 9 at the Bass Pro Shop and Stoney Creek Inn in Independence.

The event will start with seminars on firearms and archery hunting, fishing, birding, camping and state parks in the Kansas City area. Seminar sessions will be from 3-4 p.m. and 4-5 p.m.

A banquet and auction are set for the evening. The cost is $40, with discounts available for families. That price includes a one-year membership to the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

For more information, go to confedmo.org/kansas-city.

Kids stuff

Youngsters ages 15 and under will get a chance to try their hand at fishing on Saturday during the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Kids Fishing Day at the Lost Valley Hatchery in Warsaw, Mo.

Registration will start at 9 a.m., with fishing set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kids will fish in a pond stocked with hybrid sunfish and channel catfish. Loaner rods and reels will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but those who have their own equipment are encouraged to bring it. Employees of the Department of Conservation and volunteers will be available to help kids fish and provide tips.

For more information, call the Department of Conservation at 660-438-4465.

Help a child go the circus

The Shriners again will be raising money to send underprivileged kids to the circus when they sponsor the 28th annual Shriners Buddy Bass Classic on May 3 at Truman Lake.

The event, which will be based at Long Shoal Marina, annually has one of the largest fields among Missouri bass tournaments.

Entry fee is $240 per team. To register, go to shrinersopen.com.

This story was originally published April 23, 2015 at 7:43 PM with the headline "Outdoors digest for April 24."