A Father’s Day weekend tradition is becoming a new fishing tournament on Lake June.
The Bait Shop in Lake Placid will host the Father’s Day Bass Open on Saturday, June 20, at Lake June Park. Anglers will launch at safe light, with weigh-in set for 1 p.m. The public is invited to come out for the weigh-in. The tournament is being organized by John Pollak, owner of The Bait Shop, who took over the Lake Placid business in August 2025.
For Pollak, the tournament has a personal connection. He grew up in Juno Beach and said fishing on Father’s Day has been part of his life for as long as he can remember. His children were always invited, but the day itself became one of his own traditions. He also remembers coming to Lake Placid as a kid to fish with his dad – they would make the drive from the West Palm Beach area to bass fish in the local lakes.
Now, as the owner of The Bait Shop, Pollak is starting a Father’s Day weekend tournament of his own.
This year’s tournament will be held on Lake June, with registration preferred in advance at The Bait Shop, located at 1451 U.S. 27 South in Lake Placid. Teams may also register at the ramp the morning of the tournament beginning at 5:30 a.m. The entry fee is $80 per team or boat. The tournament has a five-fish limit, with a 12-inch minimum. Payout is 100 percent, and all entry fees will be paid back out to the anglers. The number of paid places will depend on the number of boats registered.
There is also a guaranteed $500 Big Bass prize, along with a $150 Bait Shop gift card for the Big Bass Father/Kid Team. Adult children count.
Porkchop’s Barbecue is sponsoring the tournament. Pollak said he would like to see the event become an annual Father’s Day weekend tournament and eventually grow to include festivities open to the public. His long-term goal is for the tournament to become charitable in the future.
The tournament also includes raffle prizes, with tickets available for purchase. Each registered angler receives one free raffle ticket. Raffle prizes listed for the event include a Bubba Pro Series Smart Scale, an Ark rod and reel combo, a Scenko Stix-Ex Pansion Series rod, and an Ultimate Tackle basket filled with assorted soft plastics, hard baits, terminal tackle and other fishing items.
Participants who pre-register at The Bait Shop will receive a 10 percent storewide discount on products that day only.
Tournament Details
Event: Father’s Day Bass Open
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Location: Lake June Park, N. Tangerine Drive, Lake Placid
Tournament waters: Lake June
Launch: Safe light
Weigh-in: 1 p.m.
Entry fee: $80 per team/boat
Registration: Preferred at The Bait Shop, 145 U.S. 27 South, Lake Placid
Ramp-day registration: Begins at 5:30 a.m.
Limit: 5 fish
Minimum length: 12 inches
Payout: 100 percent
Big Bass prize: $500 guaranteed/donated prize
Father/Kid Big Bass: $150 Bait Shop gift card
Contact: 863-531-3699
Basic Rules
Anglers must have a valid Florida freshwater fishing license or exemption and personal ID.
Boats must have required State of Florida safety equipment, a functioning aerated live well capable of sustaining a five-fish limit, and USCG-approved life vests. Life vests must be worn while the outboard motor is running. The kill switch must be attached to the life vest while the outboard is running.
Teams are limited to two members per boat. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Fishing is rod-and-reel only with artificial lures. No snagging is allowed, and only one rod may be used per angler at a time.
All bass must be transported from the boat to the weigh-in station in a tournament-issued weigh bag. Only five bass may be in the live well at any time.
Dead fish carry a .25-pound penalty. Late weigh-in penalty is 1 pound per minute, with disqualification after 15 minutes. Big fish breaks ties.
Disputes must be presented to the tournament director within 30 minutes of the conclusion of weigh-in. Weighmaster and tournament director decisions are final.
