Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
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B.A.S.S. Report
If you’ve ever experienced the fast-paced fun of an evening bass tournament, April 21 is going to deliver that excitement to fans in a whole new way on Table Rock Lake. Bass fishing fans are in for a truly unique event as Tuesday Night LIVE on Table Rock delivers a fun, fast-paced, grass-roots-style showdown featuring some of the biggest names in professional bass fishing.
The first Bassmaster Team Tournament and first ever Tuesday Night Bassmaster Tournament brought to you by AFTCO, Beatdown Outdoors, Gamakatsu, SPRO and Sunline.
On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, eight Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pros will trade the national stage for a down-home competition at Mill Creek Boat Ramp in Kimberling City, Missouri. With four boats, two legendary hosts, and five powerhouse sponsors, the event blends top-tier talent with the relaxed atmosphere of a local Tuesday night jackpot tournament.
The evening begins at 4 p.m. CT as competitors arrive at the ramp to prepare their gear and exchange some friendly trash talk with entertaining hosts of Dave Mercer and Mark Zona. At 4:30 p.m., its blast-off time, and the teams will hit Table Rock Lake for a high-energy, three-hour shootout. At 7:30 PM, the boats return to the ramp for a traditional, no-frills weigh-in — just like the weekly tournaments anglers across the country know and love.
“This event is all about getting back to the roots of tournament fishing,” said Mark Zona. “No big stage, no big production, just great anglers, great competition, and a fun night on one of America’s most iconic bass lakes.”
Phillip Johnson, B.A.S.S. Chief Operating Officer, said the organization is excited to bring a live Tuesday night event directly to fans in a fresh and accessible format.
“We’re thrilled to bring Tuesday Night LIVE to our fans and showcase these incredible anglers in a format that feels authentic and close to home,” Johnson said. “This event captures the spirit of local jackpot tournaments while still featuring the very best talent in the sport. It’s another way for us to connect directly with our audience and deliver live bass fishing in a fun, innovative way.”
The event will feature limited commercial interruptions and will be streamed live on Bassmaster.com, the Bassmaster YouTube channel and the Bassmaster Channel on Roku, Plex and Freebie TV.
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Tackle Shack Report
Richard Hochstetler and John Kauffman captured the final 2025 Tackle Shack tournament on the Grand River last weekend.
The winners had 16.64 pounds that included the Tackle Shack biggest bass weighing 5.57 pounds. They won $1,450 and $200 for big bass.
“Our best fishing was first thing in the morning using Texas rigs along seawalls with deeper water,” said Kauffman. “Nothing fancy, but our pre-fishing helped us locate these fish and capitalize on them game day.”
Scott and LeeAnn Sizemore were second with 13.89 pounds. They won $850.
“We locked a Chatterbait into our hands and never put it down,” said Scott. “We caught fish all the way through the day but our largest fish were scattered throughout the morning. All the fish were in 1-4 foot of water. Yes pre-fishing was helpful for us.”
Third place ($250) went to Chris Yoder and Edward Bontrager with 13.48 pounds.
“We caught all of our fish throughout the day, but it was slow,” said Yoder. “We caught most using a Texas rig in 7 to 12 feet of water, and yes. Pre-fishing helped us out for this tournament.”
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MFL Report
Brian Souza and Ed Madison fished A-rigs and crankbaits to win the final season event for the Michiana Fishing League last weekend.
The winners had 15.28 pounds with a 4.22 kicker. They fished from 2 to 8 feet of water.
Connor Moon and Pete Johnson were second with 14.06 pounds and had the big bass of the tournament, a 5.16-pounder. They used 2K jigs on hard bottoms in 6 inches to a foot of water. They also took the critter pot with a 1-pound drum.
Third place went to John Davis and Seth Spaulding with 12.12 pounds. They fished jigs and deep diving crankbaits 10-12 feet of water.
The circuit will host its Classic championship next weekend on Spring Lake. Visit the Michiana Fishing League Facebook page for details.
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By Louie Stout
April Showers may bring May flowers, but it also brings a rush into the bass tournament season.
As tournament groups gear up for the regular season, some are planning “Opens” which usually means no membership fee and anyone can enter. These events are used as fund-raisers.
There are three events (that we know about) coming next weekend.
The Dennis Losee benefit on the St. Joe River at 6 Span - that was previously scheduled for this weekend - was moved to April 2nd. Entry fee is $65 with 50 percent of the pot going to Michiana angler Dennis Losee who suffered a stroke and needs help paying medical bills.
In addition, Clear H2o Tackle will donate an additional $25 for each boat entered and an additional $25 per any winners of side pots who donate their winnings back to the cause. Plaques will be given to the top three finishing teams.
Tournament hours are 8-2. For more information, contact Steve Martin, 269-858-6296.
If river fishing isn’t your thing, Casting Couples will be having an Open the same day at Lake Maxinkuckee. The tournament is open, meaning there are no gender restrictions on teams. Hours are 7-1 and entry fee is $50 plus $5 for big bass. You can fish alone, if you wish.
Another Casting Couples Open will be held April 16 on Lake Webster. For more information, call Rick Kedik, 269-240-4917.
If you can’t get enough tournament fishing on Saturday, the Angola Hog Hunters will have an open Sunday, April 3 on Lake Hamilton in northeastern Indiana. Hours are 7-3 and entry fee is $100. Call Kevin Days, 260-243-0266 for more info.
Hopefully, the weather will improve and the fishing is good!
For the remainder of the season, follow our Lake Drive Marine Events Calendar which lists specifics of tournaments and dates. If your event isn’t on the schedule, email us at stoutoutdoors@comcast.net.
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R&B Report
Larry Thomas (Kendallville) and Dave Terry (Albion) First Place
Larry Thomas (Kendallville) and Dave Terry (Albion) beat out 40 teams and won themselves $700 in a recent R&B Circuit event on Lake Tippecanoe.
The duo had a 15.63-pound limit caught with drop shot rigs and homemade jigs on the outside of weed edges between 5-15 feet of water. They worked through two areas on the lake and caught three limits of bass.
Kyle Kaser (Plymouth) fished alone and weighed 14.16 pounds to win $420. He slung bladed jigs in five different channels. The fish were set up on the first drop off of shore.
Andy Brossia came from Ohio to put together a 14.03-pound limit by working a hollow bellied frog in lily pads. He had culled 8 times by 10:15, but never caught another fish after that time. He won $315.