The 25th annual Rotary Club of Jacksonville Bass Tournament was held on Lake Jacksonville on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Thirty-six boats competed in the first buddy tournament of the season. Taylor Hindley of Brighton and Hampton Dufrain of Highland won the tournament with a total weight of 28.72 pounds. The Big Bass, caught by Taylor Hindley, weighed in at 7.72 pounds.

Rotary president Daniel Lepper said, “The Rotary Club of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Rotary Club Foundation wish to thank the tournament sponsors – especially this year’s major sponsor, the Hotels of South Jacksonville. Thanks to all of the people who competed, as well as the many Rotarian volunteers and the City of Jacksonville Department of Parks and Lakes staff for their assistance with the tournament. The money raised through this event will be used in support of community needs in Jacksonville and South Jacksonville.”

Tournament co-chair Pete Carteaux said, “We were really happy to again include several high school bass fishing teams in this year’s competition. We hope to continue encouraging more young people to engage in the sport of bass fishing.”

The 2025 results are as follows:

First place ($2,500): Taylor Hindley of Brighton and Hampton Dufrain of Highland, 28.72 pounds.
Second place ($1,000): Jeff Royer and Wayne Royer of Granite City, 21.69 pounds.
Third place ($700): Dylan Curless of Mount Zion and Gabe Williams of Macomb, 19.72 pounds.
Fourth Place ($400): Michael Grejtak of Benld and Gustav Viehweg of Mt. Olive, 17.98 pounds.
Fifth place ($200): Kevin Mathews of Roodhouse and Jim Dietel of Loami, 17.38 pounds.
Big Bass ($740): Taylor Hindley of Brighton, 7.72 pounds.

Photo: Hampton Dufrain (L) of Highland and Taylor Hindley (R) of Brighton won the 2025 Rotary Club of Jacksonville Bass Tournament with a total weight of 28.72 pounds. The Big Bass, caught by Taylor Hindley, weighed in at 7.72 pounds.