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Published: 06 May 2026

Casting Couples Report

Not only did the couples in the Casting Couples opener start on a 30-degree morning, but the bite at Pine and Stone lakes was tough.

Only two teams weighed in limits and very few keeper fish were caught.

John and June Gipson won with five keeper bass totaling 15.70 pounds and had the biggest bass, a 3.95-pound largemouth. Gipsons used weightless worms and were sight fishing to take home $320.

Scott and Patty Smith were second with five totaling 12.85 pounds and had the second biggest of the day with a 3.20-pound largemouth. The Smiths used dropshot and ned rigs while sight fishing, earning $130.

Third went to Scott and Robin Parr with two bass totaling 4.10 pounds. The Parr's used Chatterbaits and tubes to take home $90.

Rick and Jennifer Kedick, who received their Anglers Of the Year jackets for 2025, finished fourth in the tournament with two fish weighing 3.90 pounds.

The next Casting Couples event is June 6th at Corey and Harwood lakes. Teams must consist of one male and one female. Contact Rick (269) 240-4917 or Facebook MichianaCastingCouples.

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Published: 05 May 2026

Tackle Shack Report

Despite a cold start in the morning, the catch was pretty good in the Tackle Shack season opener at Lake Maxinkuckee.

It was especially good for Shawn Kertai and Heath Hawkins who won with 14.63 pounds and won the Big Bass Pot with a dandy 5.98-pound largemouth.

“We caught a lot in the channels throughout the day,” Shawn explained. “I caught most of mine on bluegill-colored swim jig and a bluegill Jackhammer. Heath caught most of his on a finesse jig he makes and a Ned TRD.  Our bigger fish came on scattered rock piles  up toward the Academy in 4 to 7 feet on the same kind of baits.”

Bill Mathews and Kris Iodice were second with12.08 pounds.

“We wanted to focus on pre-spawn fish since we figured they would weigh a bit more and with the tournament the week before; we figured a lot of the bed fish had been getting messed with enough and would be tough to catch,” Bill said.

“We caught every single fish on a BAFA fishing F8 jig head and small swimbaits. We caught a quick limit comprised of one largemouth and 4 smallmouth between 1-1.5 pounds. We quickly culled our way up to 9-10 pounds. We caught a ton of fish, especially in the morning. Once we had over 10 pounds we decided to go look for a kicker largemouth. We were catching smallmouth almost exclusively on the flat.

“We tried some docks and some weed edges and caught some fish on a BAFA flashbang finesse jig, but nothing that helped our bag. For the final hour we went back to our initial game plan and culled a few more fish out using the F8 head, including our big fish, a largemouth that weighed 3.47 pounds.”

Third went to Andrew Miller and Jeff Showalter who had 11.46 pounds.

“We were 3rd boat out and stopped on a spot that was about last on the list, but it was just gut feeling,” said Miller. “We got bit twice on a Texas rig worm but didn’t hookup so I grabbed my 80’s hairband jig that I tied the night before specifically for this event and never put it down. We caught our three biggest fish in that area which was a 10-foot flat with scattered weeds. We ran that pattern rest of the day and probably caught 6 limits.”

Details

Published: 29 April 2026

MFL Report

Kyle Kaser and Kayla Bermes eked out a Michiana Fishing League victory on Lake Maxinkuckee Sunday.

The tournament was previously scheduled for Lake Webster but had to be moved due to a scheduling conflict with another tournament group.

The winners, one of 21 teams competing, had 11.61 pounds caught on the main lake by drop-shotting and fishing a jig in 8 to 12 feet of water.

John Gipson was second with 10.89 pounds. No further details were provided.

Clay and Brad Sterling were a close third with 10.72 pounds. They fished tubes and Ned rigs in 4 to 10 feet of water.

Chuck Powell and Jacob Shapland won the big bass pot with a 4.46-pound largemouth caught on a lipless crankbait.