The 2nd Annual Sharpe Showdown is set for April 27-28, 2024. This tournament is hosted by the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with The Fishing Crew and launches onto Lake Sharpe out of Downs Marina in Pierre. Weigh-ins take place at the Steamboat Park Amphitheater after each day.
“We have a really special fishery here in Lake Sharpe,” said Nick Harrington, Owner of Lip Ripper Fishing. “Most importantly though, we have a community that embraces our outdoors and that is what makes the Pierre area so welcoming to anglers and hunters.”
The 2024 Sharpe Showdown is open for 60 teams and has a 100% payout. Entry fee is $450 per two-angler team. The rules meeting will take place Friday, April 26, with fishing Saturday and Sunday. Registration opens January 1, 2024, and is available through The Fishing Crew website.
Anglers will be given seven (7) tags per day and weigh their best five (5) walleye/sauger each day. Fish must be at least 15 inches, with up to two (2) walleyes per day 20 inches or longer. The two-day cumulative weight for each team will determine the final finishing order.
“There is an abundance of walleyes in Lake Sharpe,” continued Harrington. “The key for anglers is finding those perfect 18–19-inch slot fish, and of course two ‘overs’ each day is huge.”
The 1st Annual Sharpe Showdown in 2023 was won by Scott Gregg and Shane Ellwein with a weight of 21.26 pounds. Behind Scott and Greg were Chris Haines and Ben Brown with a final weight of 20.48 pounds to take second place. Third place went to Dalton and Harry Decker with a weight of 20.28 pounds.
“The 2023 event really showed how close and competitive Lake Sharpe is, ounces are key on this waterbody,” said Mason Propst of Propst Professional Anglers. “Conditions were about as difficult as they could be for that tournament too, it’s pretty safe to assume you’re going to see a much better bite and higher weights this year.”
The 2023 event saw anglers utilizing all of Lake Sharpe, with many staying in town to fish the stilling basin and bridges areas, while others made long runs south towards Joe Creek, West Bend, and Iron Nation.
“Last year the run-off and lack of current made the water below the Bad River so dirty, it effectively shut down the bite for four weeks,” continued Propst. “We used the Lund 202 ProVGL to our advantage and made a long run despite the strong winds we faced both days. We had the right fish on, but that’s what makes these tournaments fun.”
The Sharpe Showdown is a tournament that can be enjoyed by both professional anglers, but also more casual anglers looking to try their hand at tournaments as well.
“Whether you’re fishing your first tournament or your hundredth tournament, you’re going to have a blast,” concluded Propst. “It’s generally a pretty safe bet you’re going to catch a lot of walleyes when you fish Lake Sharpe, and one big bite can propel you up the leaderboard in a hurry.”
Registration is open until filled, there are no other requirements to participate in the tournament.
“I’d encourage everyone to check this event out,” concluded Harrington. “The Pierre Chamber, The Fishing Crew, and everyone involved do a great job to make the event fun. That’s what fishing is about, and that’s what Pierre is about.”
For more information, contact Miranda Panzer, Tourism Director at the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce.
