(Provided by Casting Couples)

Jim and Sam Hipp (South Bend)

Jim and Sam Hipp (South Bend) caught five smallmouth totaling 14.19 pounds to win the Casting Couples Open event on Lake Maxinkuckee last weekend.

The winners ($300), the only male/female team in the field, used tubes and drop-shot rigs in 6-8 foot of water. Their catch included the second largest bass of the day, a 3.29-pound smallmouth to garner a tackle pack from Money Mouth Baits.

Brad (Elkhart) and son Clay Sterling (Bremen)

Brad (Elkhart) and son Clay Sterling (Bremen) had 13.53 pounds of smallmouth to finish second ($150). The Sterlingís big bass of the tournament, a 4 pounder, was worth $65. They used wacky-rigged and drop-shot worms to catch their fish.

Matt Haffer (North Judson) and Austin Minix (Hamlet)

Matt Haffer (North Judson) and Austin Minix (Hamlet) had a mixed bag of largemouth and smallmouth that weighed 10.03 pounds for third ($70). The team caught its fish on Rat'L Traps, jigs, and Senkos,

Thirteen boats fished on a windy day and nine recorded limits. The top three teams fished the main lake.

The first regular season Casting Couples tournament is May 13th Pine and Stone in LaPorte, Ind. Entry fee is $40 per team and a $5 season membership and teams must consist of one male and one female.

Contact Rick Kedik at 269-240-4917, rkedik13@yahoo.com or Facebook at MichianaCastingCouples.