Bass fishermen and fisherwomen who religiously fish the Wednesday Night Hawg Fights Bass Tournament Series have weathered a chilly and oft-wet winter while waiting for the schedule for 2024.

They don’t have to wait any longer as the dates were released Jan. 4 by WN Hawg Fights BTS director Mike Sinitiere, who drew up a preliminary schedule a few weeks before Christmas, then went over it with Chris Vedrines, who posts results, standings and schedules each year on Facebook.

Sinitiere, who has been the circuit’s president since the late 2010s, said the schedule was made public the first week of January in order to give prospective participants time to make plans for spring and summer. Many Hawg Fighters schedule events around the Hawg Fights.

“It’s so people can plan their season, vacations and other stuff. I wanted to get it out there early. The hunting seasons are about to end and maybe they’re getting the itch to fish,” Sinitiere said Jan. 5.

The first of 12 regular-season evening bass tournaments is set for March 20 at a site to be announced later. Typically, the season opener is held out of Marsh Field Landing at Lake Fausse Pointe.

In a departure from the every-other-Wednesday dates the second tournament is scheduled to be held the following week on March 27. However, the schedule reverts to its every-other-Wednesday format for the rest of ’24 after that final Wednesday in March.

Tournament No.3 is April 10, followed by the fourth tournament on April 24. Tournament No.5 is set for May 8, followed by another tournament that month on May 22.

Summer Hawg Fightin’ kicks off with the midseason contest set for June 6 and another one on June 19.

Tournament No.9 will be held the day before the Fourth of July, followed by two other contests that mid-summer month – July 17 and July 31.

The 12th and final regular-season tournament is scheduled to be held Aug. 14.

The WN Hawg Fights BTS Classic date will be held on Aug. 25, Sinitiere said.

Each WN Hawg Fight BTS tournament starts at 5:30 p.m. The mandatory time for “chips” (boat takeoff numbers) to be hung on the board at the weigh-in site will be announced before blastoff.

Entry fee for each tournament in the regular season is $60 per boat. Entries must be paid at the tournament site before 5 p.m. each Wednesday. Anglers must fish seven of the 12 tournaments to qualify for the Classic.

More tournament rules and regulations are posted on Facebook.

Sinitiere, for one, is more than ready. As are dozens of other Acadiana bass anglers.

His role as director and participant, an accomplished veteran who fishes with WN Hawg Fights BTS weighmaster Mike O’Brien, keeps him busy.

As president of the Louisiana Bass Cats, a local bass club, he kept extra busy last year. He stepped aside as the bass club’s president after the last event.

“Now that I took one thing off my plate I’ll be able to concentrate a little more. I’ve had time to rest. It’s time to get started again,” Sinitiere said.

What makes Hawg fights popular?

“I just like the break in the week, away from work and spending time with fellow fishermen. It’s competition, friendly competition,” he said.

Plus, he said, “It’s fun to get together.”

Last season, 117 bass anglers fished at least one Hawg Fight as $15,600 total entry fee money was collected and disbursed.

John Gordon was the only one of the 117 Hawg Fights who fished every tournament and didn’t scratch once in ’23, Vedrines noted in a Facebook post in the postseason.

Also last season, six tournaments were fished at Marsh Field Landing, three at Bayou Benoit Landing and three at Myette Point Landing, Vedrine said. The Classic also was held at Myette Point Landing.

Sinitiere said he is hopeful anglers choose an early spring Hawg Fight at Lake Martin. After the first tournament of the year, participating teams vote on the site for the next Hawg Fight.

The 2023 Angler(s) of the Year were crowned after the regular-season finale on Aug. 23 at Lake Fausse Pointe. Austin Theriot and Gavin Savoy racked up 1,068 points to finish ahead of runners-up Blain Miller and Brandon Sellers, who finished with 1,038.

After collecting $300 for AOY, Theriot and Savoy also won the WN Hawg Fights BTS on Aug. 27 with 11.90 pounds worth $1,825.

Sinitiere believes boater turnout will be at least the same as last year.

“Hopefully, we’ll get some youngsters and other new anglers,” he said.