Competitive Angling Lures New Fans

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Published: 26 June 2012

Bass tournament fishing and NASCAR go together like beer and hot wings.

I get that, since both sports grew out of the south.

But NFL and bass fishing?

I didn’t see it coming, but that bond was definitely there during the first-ever KVD/Lions Charity Bass Tournament near Detroit last week.

It was born a year ago out of a conversation between Kalamazoo’s Kevin VanDam, arguably the best pro bass angler on the planet, and Lions’ head coach Jim Schwartz, who has turned the NFL doormat into a pillar of super bowl hope and promise.

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River Produces Record Catfish

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Published: 08 June 2012

Record-breaking CatfishNever doubt Rodney Akey when he says he’s gonna catch you a big one.

Just ask his buddy, Will Skalla.

“Will likes his bluegill fishing, but I prefer bigger fish,” said Akey, a catfish specialist. “I told him that bluegills were for women and children, and that if he would come with me I’d show him what big fish look like.”

So, on May 22, the Niles anglers headed to the St. Joseph River below Berrien Springs dam. About 8 p.m., Akey’s line began to move. He let the fish run a bit, set the hook and the battle was on.

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