Gipson and Hahaj Blow Away Rest of Field in R&B Classic at Benton Harbor

R&B Report

John Gipson and Justin Hahaj - 1st Place

John Gipson and Justin Hahaj captured the R&B Starboard Choice Marine Classic on the St. Joseph River at Benton Harbor, Mich. over the weekend.

Gipson and Hahaj caught 17.29 pounds of smallmouth to win $700. They used jigs, tubes, and 5-inch swimbaits. 

The weights fell significantly after that catch as Gipson said the bite was slow and noted the water temperature was 70 degrees, well above normal for that time of year.

Ken Holder and Arron Brubaker were second ($300) with four smallmouth weighing 8.52 pounds caught on tubes. 

Tom Bell and Andrew Glass - 3rd Place

Tom Bell and Andrew Glass won the $100 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card donated by Mike Czajkowski Builders for third place with two smallmouth for 6.80 pounds. They also took big bass ($100) with a 5.53 giant caught on a whopper plopper first thing in the morning. 

Brian Suza and Ed Madison - 4th Place

Brian Suza and Ed Madison were fourth and also won the Czajkowski gift card for fourth place with two smallmouth that weighed.46 pounds, caught on soft plastics.