Care Lunker Classic hits the water next month
By Lynsi Perry
Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 14, 2025 for the first annual Care Lunker Classic to be held at Hubbard Creek Reservoir in Breckenridge, Texas. The charity bass tournament sponsored by Goodnight Steakhouse and Hereford Motel, will be designed as an open 5-fish team format for anglers.
The tournament is about more than just fishing. All profits raised in the tournament will go to support ResourceCare Community Health Center, a non-profit organization that provides essential healthcare services and outreach to those in need in Albany, Baird, Breckenridge, Clyde, Cross Plains, and Merkel.
Ragan Riley, who is in charge of the sponsors and donations for ResourceCare and the tournament, said that some of the funds raised will go directly to Albany Day Camp and Vittles by Vehicle. These are two outreach programs within RescourceCare that benefit local youth and senior citizens in Albany, and are currently severely underfunded. “We are so thankful that Goodnights and Brooke Hatchett are putting this event together that will benefit ResourceCare,” said Riley.
The deadline to register is Sunday, June 7. Entry fees for the tournament are $275 per team. Teams who fish individually or include a female or a member who is under the age of 17 will pay $225. Those who add the Big Bass or register after June 7 will need to add $50 to their entry fee. The fee for the Care Lunker Classic includes a chicken fried steak dinner at Goodnight Steakhouse in Albany on Friday, June 13 at 6:00 p.m., and a live Calcutta led by Goodnight’s owner, tournament director, and Calcutta Master Jason Harlow. Harlow remarks that this tournament will be one of the biggest Hubbard Creek has seen in 20 years due to the number of payouts and boaters.
The tournament guarantees over $17,000 in payouts, regardless of the number of entries. First place through fifth place will receive payouts ranging from $8,000 to $1,000, with the Alex Chalmers Big Bass prize being $2,500. “The Big Bass is in honor of my nephew Alex Chalmers who tragically passed away this spring,” explained Harlow.
Two livewell checks are scheduled during the weekend. The first check will be Friday, June 13 at 3:00 p.m. located at Goodnight Steakhouse, and the second one on Saturday, June 14 at 5:45 a.m. at the dam ramp on the lake. Teams are only required to attend one livewell check. Fishing commences at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday morning and ends at 2:00 p.m. that afternoon. Weigh-in starts at 2:15 p.m. at the dam ramp and winners will be announced following at the Care Lunker result celebration.
To register for the tournament, read official rules, and for additional information visit www.careluncker.com. Other sponsors of the event are Pati and K.C. Jones, Melinda and Henry Musselman, Blake Hortenstine, Todd Spitzer, Sandy Chalmers, Randall Cobb, JB Cheatham, Stephen Swan, Brooke Hortenstine, Yellow Dog Tackle, and Teinert Contruction. Also, special mention to Brooke Hatchett for hours of her donated time and effort to make this event come to fruition.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, Hubbard Creek is a popular choice for largemouth bass. The Florida largemouth bass was introduced to the lake in 1979 providing a strong and aggressive bass population. The lake is also noted to have a diverse habitat; making it ideal for bass, and an excellent location for the first ever Care Lunker Classic. As the anglers say, tight lines to all.
