The 2024 tournament season is fast approaching and Lip Ripper Fishing anglers, Nick Harrington and Mason Propst, are extremely excited for what the upcoming year has in store. To kick off the season, take a deep dive into each event and how the boys feel heading into the full swing of tournament season.
The mild winter prompted the cancellation of the 24 Hours of Ice, which is hosted by The Fishing Crew. To make lemons out of lemonade, the warmer weather means there are plenty of opportunities to get the boats in the water early, which is what the Ice Breaker is all about.
“Early season tournaments like these are really the ultimate wildcard,” said Nick Harrington, Owner of Lip Ripper Fishing. “You’re not really in the swing of the season yet and everyone is pretty much starting in the same place because you don’t have a pattern you’ve been on for an extended period of time.”
The exact specifics of the event have yet to be released because of the variable nature of the weather and water conditions that can present themselves in March. The expectation is to utilize the open boat ramps in the Pierre area, which will allow anglers to fish the upper end of Lake Sharpe.
“I remember a couple years ago Nick and I jumped in a little derby in late-March to shake off the rust,” said Mason Propst, Owner of Mason Propst Fishing. “It’s a good thing we did because right before takeoff Nick realized he forgot to put the minnows in the boat!”
More information regarding this tournament will be available in the coming weeks, but if the weather and water conditions cooperate expect some impressive weights courtesy of pre-spawn quality fish.
A staple of the early season Chamberlain tournaments, the 23rd Annual Cedar Shore Resort Walleye Tournament will take place April 6-7. This event launches on to Lake Francis Case and is one of the premier events in all of South Dakota.
“I remember being about 9 or 10 and my dad pulling into the marina at Cedar Shore and I ran down and I said ‘did you catch them’ and he looked at me and said ‘I guess you’ll just have to see,’” said Propst. “He did, indeed, catch them. My dad and grandpa had a lot of success at Chamberlain over the years, but it’s been a thorn in our side lately.”
Mason recalls the years of 2006 and 2007 when his dad, Bob Propst Jr, went back-to-back winning the Professional Walleye Trail in Chamberlain. The recent results, including 2022, are what leave the boys wanting a bit more.
“The last time I wet a line in Chamberlain was the Cedar Shore tournament in 2022,” said Harrington. “We had an outstanding pre-fish, put some really nice fish in the boat, then everything fell apart on tournament day. I’ll be honest, that one stung.”
The boys will be looking to start the year off strong as this is the first points paying event for The Fishing Crew Team of the Year chase.
“That area really fits the style we like to fish,” continued Propst. “My dad and grandpa have had a ton of success there, Nick knows that area extremely well, when things come together for us our ceiling is really high there.”
The second annual Sharpe Showdown, which is hosted by the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce and run by The Fishing Crew, is the event the boys are most excited for.
“This one just feels different for us,” says Propst. “Lake Sharpe is our favorite fishery, it’s our home water, and it’s one we literally felt slipped away last year.”
Propst is referencing the first Sharpe Showdown in 2023 where excessive run-off, minimal current, and high winds resulted in the most difficult conditions to fish on the reservoir.
“Last year was a major disappointment because we knew the bite was going to be tough, we made a big run despite the winds, and we had the right fish on,” said Harrington. “We knew we were going to only get a handful of bites, but if we converted we were going to be in great shape. We just didn’t execute like we needed to.”
Despite the poor result in 2023, that’s not deterring the boys from eagerly looking forward to this season’s event.
“We were on to something pretty special last year,” said Propst. “I’ll be honest, I still think about that bite a lot.”
The 2024 Sharpe Showdown will take place April 27-28 launching out of Downs Marina. There is still plenty of opportunity for teams to register to fish this year’s tournament.
The lone Nebraska tournament of the schedule will take place on the most famous waterbody in the state, Lake McConaughy. Commonly referred to as “Big Mac” the reservoir is home to an abundance of big walleyes.
“Those Big Mac walleyes, man, they are a different breed,” said Propst. “There is no doubt these are the biggest and hardest fighting walleyes I’ve ever experienced.”
The annual event will take place June 1-2, one of traditionally the best times of year to fish on Lake McConaughy. Massive weights are common each and every year at this tournament.
“I wasn’t able to fish this one last year and I really felt like I was missing out,” said Harrington. “I also understand there’s an ice machine that sings ‘Ice, Ice, Baby’ so I’m pretty excited to see that. I love those burgers at Admirals too.”
“I will say, if the walleyes eat as much as Nick does when we’re out on the road-we should be in pretty good shape,” joked Propst. “Last year at Merritt he ate a one pound burger, with pulled pork, and two hours later he had to go to McDonalds cause he was craving a shake. It’s unreal.”
While the boys will not be fishing the entire Nebraska Walleye Trail season like they did in 2023, they’re extremely excited to enjoy a fun trip to Big Mac.
The schedule concludes with the Super Bowl, the 50th Annual South Dakota Governor’s Cup.
“We’ve got some unfinished business here,” said Harrington. “Last year’s pre-fish we had a pattern that was consistently putting both overs and slots in the boat. We pulled in Day One and it had completely fallen apart.”
The South Dakota Governor’s Cup is hosted by The Fishing Crew and launches on to Lake Oahe out of Spring Creek Recreation Area north of Pierre. This year’s event filled extremely quickly, particularly due to the milestone that will be set.
“The Governor’s Cup isn’t just one of the biggest events in South Dakota, it’s one of the biggest events in the Midwest,” said Propst. “We’ve been so close the last couple years and if the timing falls for us right, well you’ll just have to see.”
The 50th Annual South Dakota Governor’s Cup will take place July 20-21.
In addition to the regular schedule, the boys will also be competing in a 10-week Tuesday Night Walleye Fishing League that takes place April-June out of Downs Marina in Pierre. The 2023 season was a successful one, with two wins throughout the season.
“I always look forward to Tuesdays during the league season,” said Harrington. “Whether you have a great night or zero, you know you’re back at it again with a blank slate next week.”
The season consists of three, three-week quarters that concludes with a final fish-off during week 10. Points are earned each week, with each position worth a point assuming at least one fish is brought to the scale.
“Last year the run-off, lack of current, and weather really shut down the bite we like to fish in the first quarter,” said Propst. “We learned a lot this past year and if we’re able to get back on some of our favorite stretches, we’re hoping to add to that win total.”
While the schedule is set, there is always the opportunity for additional events to be added.
“We’re super happy with this year’s schedule, but there’s a couple other events that may catch our eye as the season goes on,” concluded Propst.
Individuals can follow the boys all season long by following Lip Ripper Fishing on Facebook, Nick and Mason’s Instagrams, and staying tuned to the weekly fishing report here each week.
“It’s going to be a really fun year and we hope we can make everyone proud,” concluded Harrington.
Win a Free Fishing Trip to Pierre
Lip Ripper Fishing, in partnership with the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce, is proud to offer a free one-day fishing trip, two-night stay at Ramkota Hotel, and $200 Pierre Pride Dollars. Fishing will take place on Lake Sharpe or Lake Oahe depending on the time of year out of Pierre.
Individuals can enter to win through the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce by March 15, 2024. Individuals must be 18 years or older and may submit one entry per household.
Graphics Courtesy: Allie Ellingson Photography + Design
Allie Ellingson Photography + Design is the official branding partner for Lip Ripper Fishing. Allie provides promotional material for Lip Ripper Fishing, Mason Propst Fishing, JB Design Custom Rods, and Propst Professional Anglers. Contact Allie for all graphic design, branding, and photography needs!
