Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
- Details
By Alan McGuckin
VanDam Stole the Stage to Express his Heart for Make-A Wish®
If somehow you found yourself brushing your teeth next to Kevin VanDam, you can be certain he’d try to finish faster, and have his shining brighter than yours.
VanDam is a tenacious competitor. Which is what makes his heartfelt stealing of B.A.S.S. emcee Dave Mercer’s microphone to talk about his experiences with Make-A-Wish, moments after finishing a disheartening 63rd in the Bassmaster Elite on Lake St. Clair - his home lake - even more impressive.
In the wake of defeat and disappointment, VanDam brought the equivalent of a 25-pound bag of class and compassion to the stage following Day 2 of competition at the Plano Bassmaster Elite on Lake St. Clair.
He also brought 15-year-old Make-A-Wish recipient Max Venchus to the weigh-in platform, and introduced to him fans in attendance at St. Clair’s Metropark.
- Details
The annual John C. Bradley Memorial Bass Tournament will be held Sept. 20 on Lake Maxinkuckee.
Entry fee is $60. The eight hour event will start at safe light following a pre-tourney meeting. The event will pay back 100 percent of entry fees and there is a 50-boat field maximum. For more info, call Jonathon Bradley, 765-427-7455.
- Details
The father/daughter team of Scott (Edwardsburg) and Malorie Woods (South Bend) won the Casting Couples bass tourney on Klinger Lake last weekend.
The winners, who have captured two events in a row, used drop-shot rigs in 15 feet of water to get a five-fish limit weighing 7.75 pounds.
Mark and Suzette Michael (Union City, Mich.) fished about the same depth but used grubs to catch their limit of 7.41 pounds to finish second and retain their points lead for the Anglers of the Year Award.
Dan and Kerianne Linn (South Bend) had three bass totaling 6.40 pounds for third, including the event's biggest bass, a 3.22-pound largemouth. They used drop-shots and Tiki Sticks.
The next event and final of the Casting Couples is at Diamond Lake Sept. 12 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call Rick (269)240-4917.
- Details
Szymczak/Kintigh win river tourney, MWA Team of Year title
Ed Szymczak (Osceola) and Shawn Kintigh (Goshen) captured the Michiana Walleye Association's "Team of Year" title by winning the Between the Buns Challenge on the St. Joseph River at Maggies Landing last weekend.
The winners had 4.96 pounds of walleye on a tough, hot day. They caught the fish by jigging nightcrawlers in 8 to 16 feet of water.
Dave and Adam Hayes (Edwardsburg) were second with 4.78 pounds that they caught by jigging with leaches in 23 feet. They also won the Trailmaster Award for being the highest finishing team using a Trailmaster trailer.
Don Shelton (Berrien Center) and Dwight Jones (Mishawaka) were third with one fish weighing 2.77 pounds that earned them the ClearH2O Tackle Big Fish Award. They caught it on a jig/crawler combo in 6 feet of water.
- Details
John Gipson (Lafayette) and Tom Noe (Benton Harbor) won the Clear H2O Big Bass Challenge on Pipestone Lake with 15 pounds, 14 ounces.
The winners ($250) caught their fish from shallow weeds. Their limit included big bass of the event, a 4-12 largemouth.
Ken Holder (Mishawaka) and Roy Miller (South Bend) were second ($150) with 10-6 while Jeff Biggart (Benton Harbor) and Taryn Yore (Watervliet) were third ($75) with 6-10.
The next tournament is Aug. 8 at Diamond Lake.