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Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive MarineTournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine

Arjay’s Report

Floyd Wolkins and Steve Martin - 1st PlaceFloyd Wolkins and Steve Martin - 1st Place

Floyd Wolkins and Steve Martin recovered from a slow start at Paw Paw Lake the first day of the Arjay’s two-day Classic to wrap up the win Sunday at Duke’s Bridge.

The team, which also captured the regular season Anglers of Year title, had 8.88 pounds the first day and 11.24 pounds the second day for 20.12. They said they caught their fish on finesse worms.

They also had the third biggest bass on day two with a 3.44-pound largemouth. They earned $1,450.

LMBT Report

Kent Dowden - 1st PlaceKent Dowden - 1st Place

Kent Dowden fished alone at Barton Lake and won the Little Money Bass Tournament (LMBT) last weekend.

Dowden had 11 pounds, 10 ounces that he said he caught on a Johnson's Silver Spoon.

Jerry Roher and  Doug Roher - 2nd PlaceJerry Roher and Doug Roher - 2nd Place

Jerry Roher and Doug Roher were second with 7-10, caught on jerkbaits, jigs, Senkos and wacky worms.

Todd Mason and Edie Wilkinson - Big BassTodd Mason and Edie Wilkinson - Big Bass

Dave Riddle and Tim Riddle were third with 5-11 caught on Senkos. Todd Mason and Edie Wilkinson had the biggest bass, a 3-7 they caught on a wacky rig.

The next tournament is the classic October 14 at Duke’s Bridge. For more information, visit the Lake Drive Marine Events Calendar on this website.

Major League Fishing (MLF) has announced the 2024 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats schedule, which kicks off its regular season in early February at Lake Guntersville in Scottsboro, Alabama, and runs through late September when it wraps up at Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri.

“We’re thrilled to announce the 2024 Toyota Series schedule to competitors and fans and feel confident that we’re hitting some of the best fisheries in the country at great times of the year,” said Mark McWha, MLF Tournament Director. “We’re looking forward to seeing some really big weights at some of these events and are anticipating a great 2024 season.”

Also revealed Thursday was the location for the 2024 Toyota Series Championship, which will be held Nov. 7-9, 2024, on Wheeler Lake in Huntsville, Alabama.

Casting Couples Report

Jim and Merle Hobbs (LaPorte) - 1st PlaceJim and Merle Hobbs (LaPorte) - 1st Place

Jim and Merle Hobbs (LaPorte) won the Casting Couples Tournament at Corey Lake last weekend.

The Hobbs had 8.72 pounds earning $190. They also had the second biggest bass of the day which earned them tackle packs from Butchers Baits. Hobbs said they used swim jigs in 10 plus feet of water.

Most of the contestants said fishing was slow but when the sun came out around noon the big ones turned on. All of the three-pound fish that were caught came in the last hour of the event.

Scott and Patty Smith (Burr Oak) - 2nd PlaceScott and Patty Smith (Burr Oak) - 2nd Place

Scott and Patty Smith (Burr Oak) were a close second with 8.51 pounds. They also had big bass of the day, a 4.84-pound largemouth.  Smith's took home $130 total for second and big bass. They used everything but the kitchen sink to catch their fish at all depths. The Big bass was caught in the last 30 minutes of the tournament.

Anthony and Kimm Sivits (Shipshewana) - 3rd PlaceAnthony and Kimm Sivits (Shipshewana) - 3rd Place

Anthony and Kimm Sivits (Shipshewana) had 7.19 pounds for third place which got them Great Lakes gear. The Sivits also said they used everything but the kitchen sink at all depths to catch there fish.

Rick and Jenner Kedik (South Bend) - first out of the moneyRick and Jenner Kedik (South Bend) - first out of the money

Rick and Jenner Kedik (South Bend) were first out of the money with 6.47 pounds. They used Butchers Baits’ 3" Dancing NED to catch their fish in under 5' of water.

Scott and Patty Smith also Won 2023 Anglers of the Year points title by placing in the money 5 out of 6 tournaments.

The Casting Couples Classic will be held on Lake St. Clair Sept. 23rd.

Pan American Report

2023 USA Bass Team2023 USA Bass Team

The USA Bass Team took home the Gold medal in the 2023 Pan American Bass Fishing Championship on Lake Hamilton in Arkansas earlier this month.

Michiana’s Ron Nelson was part of that team.

The USA team won by averaging 20 pounds, 8 ounces per team. Mexico won the Silver (16-6) and Columbia the Bronze with 12 pounds. Other teams participating were Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala and Puerto Rico.

Gold Medal WinnersGold Medal Winners

USA Bass Pan American team consisted of the following pairs: Captain Scott Martin and Roland Martin, Larry Nixon and Joey Cifuentes, Hilary Martin and Justin Hamner, David Dudley and Michelle Jalaba, Tyler Rivet and Brock Mosley, Fred Roumbanis and Ron Nelson, John Cox and Keith Carson, Stephen Browning and Hannah Wesley.

The USA Bass team also took home all of the individual pair medals, led by Larry Nixon and Joey Cifuentes with Gold, Hilary Martin and Justin Hamner with Silver and Michelle Jalaba and David Dudley with Bronze.