BASS Report
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bassmaster’s first “Million Dollar Man,” Larry Nixon of Bee Branch, Ark., is stepping away from the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2024. Nixon decided at the end of the 2023 season that his health would not allow him to compete at his usual high standard.
“The Elite Series grind is more than most people could ever imagine,” said Nixon. “The elements of professional bass fishing are some of the toughest things in all of sports. Over the course of my career I’ve worn out two thumbs, a shoulder, a heart, a knee and an elbow due to competitive repetition.
“My health is OK, but, believe me, everything is just worn out. It’s become really difficult to just do normal things like tie knots and other little things.”
Polar Bear Report
Chip Harrison and Dave Eggers teamed up to win the Polar Bear Open on Lake Maxinkuckee last weekend.
Harrison and Eggers beat out 20 other teams with 14.08 pounds. They had mostly largemouth caught on tubes in 8 to 12 feet of water and around sand patches. They won $600.
John Hampel was second ($300) with 13.01 pounds that included a 5.61-pound largemouth to win the big bass pot ($200).
BRANSON, Mo. – Anglers were faced with another day of tough fishing conditions at the 2023 Toyota Series Championship at Table Rock Lake Presented by Simms in Branson, Missouri on Friday.
Pro Mike Raber of Elkhart, Indiana , brought a five-bass limit to the stage weighing 13 pounds, 11 ounces to maintain the lead after Day 2 of the long-running championship event. Raber’s two-day total of 10 bass weighing 31 pounds, 7 ounces gives him a slim 5-ounce lead over charging pro Chad Mrazek of Montgomery, Texas, who brought 17 pounds, 7 ounces to the scale – the largest bag of the day – for a two-day total of 31-2, good for second place.
Hosted by ExploreBranson.com, the championship event features more than 400 pros and co-anglers from around the world, competing for a top cash award of up to $235,000. The field is now cut to just the top 10 pros and Strike King co-anglers heading into the final day of competition, the culmination of the 2023 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats season.
By Louie Stout
Not everyone can find a partner to fish a tournament, especially a weeknight and sometimes on a weekend.
Rick Kedik has an answer. He plans a “singles” tournament circuit for Michiana anglers who fish alone. There will be five, six-hour Sunday morning and five, three-hour Thursday evening events with a Classic at the end of the year.
Some tournaments will be in Indiana waters while others in Michigan. Entry fee is $50, with $5 going to big bass pot and $5 to the Classic pot. The remaining $40 goes into the event pay-out.
The to-be-named Classic will be Oct. 12-13 with a $100 entry.
The complete schedule will be listed on our Lake Drive Marine Events Calendar later this month. If you need details sooner, email Rick at rkedik13@yahoo.com.