Michiana Angler Caught This Giant While Bass Fishing at St. Clair

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Published: 28 July 2023

By Louie Stout

Scott Solomon with big sturgeon

Scott Solomon not only won the junk fish pot in a tournament on St. Clair, but he blew it away.

Solomon was fishing a 2.75-inch tube on a 3/8-ounce jighead when a giant sturgeon clamped on during the Dearborn Firefighters fundraiser tournament.

And he landed the 60-inch, 75-pound monster that fish biologists estimate to be more than 25 years old.

It took him 30 minutes and he had the fish to the boat five times before he, Chad and George Lovell finally wrestled it into the boat.

And yes, it was hooked in the mouth. He caught the fish on 40-pound PowerPro braid and an American Angler spinning rod and Team Lew’s spinning reel.

“That reel took a pounding,” said Solomon, who lives in Edwardsburg, Mich. “We released the fish and provided the photo as proof to the tournament officials.”

The team finished fifth overall in the tournament.

Smith Benefit Raises $4,200 at Diamond Lake; Kelly and Wright Win

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Published: 11 July 2023

Smith Benefit Winners

Derek Kelly and Devin Wright won the Smith Family Benefit Saturday on Diamond Lake, but the real winner was the worthy cause that 38 teams showed up to support.

The efforts raised $4,200 to help defray costs incurred by fellow tournament angler Jordan Smith and his wife. The young couple’s baby boy was born prematurely with a heart condition and has remained in the hospital for several weeks.

Kelly and Write had 12 pounds 2 ounces that included a 4-pound, 4-ounce bass. They said they caught their fish on jigs, 10-inch worms and drop-shot rigs in 6 to 12 feet of water.

Skyler Traver and Drake Nevins were second with 11 pounds caught on drop shots and jigs in 10 to 15 feet while Trevor Nunemaker fished alone for third with three bass weighing 9 pounds 12 ounces. He also had the big bass of the event, a 5 pounder, caught shallow.

Gary Butcher and Scott Smith were fourth with 9-10 and Eric Moore and Shannon Combs fifth with 8-12.

The tournament paid three places and 50 percent of the $100 entry fee each team paid went to the family.