Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Monday, November 24, 2025
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SMAC Report
Billy Mathews and John Newbower outgunned 24 other teams in a Southwest Michigan Anglers Club (SMAC) limit-fest shootout at Magician Saturday.
The 25 teams registered 24 limits, with lots of bags weighing 8 and 9 pounds. There were 208.45 pounds of bass weighed in during the event.
The winners had 12.47 pounds caught on Ned rigs and drop-shot rigs in 10 to 20 feet. They also had the biggest big bass, a 3.52-pound largemouth.
Mike VanderReyden and Brett Gessinger were second with 10.23 pounds taken on tube jigs in 5 to 10 feet.
Pat Pilmore fished alone to take third with 9.70 pounds. He fished drop-shot rigs and grubs in 8 feet of water.
Fourth place went to Jeff Stankovich and Steve Grove with 9.63 pounds. They fished wacky rigs and tubes in 4 to 10 feet.
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SSBP Report
Anglers from across the region will hit the waters of Lake Michigan this summer for the second annual South Shore Bass Open, taking place August 2–3 at the Hammond Marina. Presented by Horseshoe Casino Hammond, this exciting new tournament will have teams fishing the Indiana and Illinois stretches of Lake Michigan and its tributaries in pursuit of trophy smallmouth and largemouth bass.
“We’re thrilled to host the South Shore Bass Open alongside Hammond firefighter Dennis Banik,” said Jimmy Nelson, Director of Sports for the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. “This event not only highlights Lake Michigan’s world-class fishing but also brings families and communities together for a fun, competitive weekend outdoors. We can’t wait to welcome anglers and spectators alike.”
Tournament entry fee is $400 per team until May 31, 2025, and $450 per team from June 1 - July 28, 2025. CalSag and Big Lake Bass Members get an additional $50 off per team entry.
The tournament kicks off on Friday, August 1 with a mandatory pre-tournament meeting and a hospitality reception at Horseshoe Casino Hammond. On Saturday morning, teams will launch from Hammond Marina to begin their two-day quest, with live weigh-ins on both Saturday and Sunday.
Top prize is $10,000, awarded to the team with the best total two-day catch (five fish per day). Additional prizes will be given for the largest bass caught each day and the heaviest overall five-fish limit.
Tournament organizer Dennis Banik shared his excitement: “We’re proud to bring this event back for a second year with support from Horseshoe Casino, the South Shore CVA, and the Hammond Marina. During the tournament, teams and spectators can enjoy more than just fishing—food and drink vendors, a live DJ, kids’ games, boat displays, vendor booths, and more will be available throughout the weekend. Bring the whole family for a great time on the lakeshore and watch some of the Midwest’s best anglers bring in their catches.”
For more information and full event details, visit: southshorebass.com. Questions? Contact Tournament Organizer Dennis Banik at 219-512-2924 or southshorebassopen@gmail.com.
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Michiana Singles Report
Magician Lake was red-hot Thursday night when the Michiana Singles Circuit visited.
There were 17 teams who caught 10 limits. There were 62 bass weighed in, including two over three pounds.
Grant Hoover walked away with first place and the big bass pot. He had 12.98 pounds that included a 3.66-pound largemouth. Hoover said he fished jigs in deeper water to take home a total of $400.
Scott Crocker had a limit weighing 10.86 pounds, and the second biggest bass, a 3.60-pound largemouth. Crocker said that he used jigs and drop-shot rigs to take home $160.
Kyle Leamer had a 10-pound limit of bass totaling for third, good for $100. Leamer used drop-shots in deeper water earning $100.
Tanner Hursh fished drop-shot rigs in 10 feet to weigh in 8.62 pounds and finish fourth ($60).
The next Singles tournament is Sunday, June 22nd at Potato Creek near North Liberty, Ind. Hours are 6 a.m.-1 p.m, Entry fee is $5. Any questions, contact Rick 269-240-4917.
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Arjay’s Report
Arjay’s Wednesday Night League kicked off at Barton Lake under some tough conditions as only a few limits and small fish were weighed in.
Ryan Hershberger and Lynn Spicher had one of those limits that weighed 8.08 pounds and good enough to secure the win. They fished jigs and wacky rigs.
Scott and Carrigan Carpenter fished Chatterbaits and wacky rigs to catch a limit weighing 7.64 pounds for second place.
Charlie Fouts and Ray Lohr also had a limit worth 7.60 pounds for third. They used spinnerbaits and wacky rigs.
Seth and Scott Spaulding only had two fish, but that included the Tackle Shack LLC Big Bass of the evening with a 4.44-pound largemouth. Their total weight of 6.72 pounds was caught on jigs and was good for fourth.
The ClearH2O Tackle first out of the money spot went to Steve Martin and Stephen Kimble with five weighing 6.65 pounds. They fished wacky rigs.
The Michiana Outdoors News tackle pack for sixth with 6.40 pounds went to Justin and Hunter Kosmerick.
Steven Wickey’s crappie not only won him the Jaywalker’s gift certificate for the junk fish pot but he also won the Str8-Up Mounts lucky dog pot for tonight.
Braxton Bellew and Doug Sanderson won the $50 gas card in the side pot drawing.
Next week’s Wednesday nighter will be on Portage Lake.
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SMAC Report
Bedding smallmouth paved the way for Brad and Clay Sterling to win the Southwest Michigan Anglers Club (SMAC) on Paw Paw Lake last Saturday.
The Sterlings had 15.29 pounds caught on drop-shots in 2 to 8 feet of water.
Ryan Gray and Hunter Paton finished a close second and they also had a limit of smallmouth weighing 15.09 pounds. They fished drop-shot rigs and Darters around bedding smallmouth.
Third went to Terry Smith and Scott Crocker with a mixed bag of smallmouth and largemouth. They caught their 14.81 pounds on crankbaits and Senkos in 3 to 12 feet.
Tom Bell and Andrew Glass took home the big bass pot with a 5.58-pound largemouth they caught on a jig in 14 feet of water.
There were 24 boats competing with 93 fish, 32 of which were smallmouth, weighed in.
The next event is Saturday at Magician Lake.