Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
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B.A.S.S. Report
Lake Ray Roberts
Brandon Palaniuk says the 54-angler field for the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk will arrive at Lake Ray Roberts with far more questions than answers.
Such is the case when a tournament is held three months later than expected.
Originally scheduled for March 19-21, the annual Super Bowl of Professional Bass Fishing was postponed due to pandemic-related restrictions on large gatherings until this week. Competition runs Friday through Sunday.
Takeoffs will be held each day at 6:15 a.m. CT from Ray Roberts State Park - Isle du Bois Unit in Pilot Point, Texas, and weigh-ins will be held each day at 4 p.m. at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
Palaniuk says the event, which features a total purse of $1 million and pays $300,000 to the winner, will feature as much intrigue as any Classic in recent memory.
“I went and I pre-practiced, mostly for navigational reasons,” said Palaniuk, the veteran Elite Series pro from Rathdrum, Idaho. “I was expecting to have to go to the backs of certain coves and sloughs, and that’s not always easy on Ray Roberts because it’s a tough lake to run.
“I don’t know if that’s where the fish will be now — I don’t think anyone does. It looks like nobody’s going to have a clue what’s going on.”
Mystery will indeed be the chief theme as the anglers descend on the 29,350-acre north Texas fishery.
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Casting Couples Report
Scott and Cierra Smith - 1st Place
The father/daughter team of Scott and Cierra Smith beat out 14 other teams to win the Casting Couples event on Klinger Lake last weekend.
The Smiths (Sturgis, Mich.) had 10.8 pounds to win $240. They also had the biggest bass, a 3.48-pound largemouth, which they caught in the first 10 minutes and earn an additional $70. They caught the big one in the first 10 minutes. They used Butcher Baits stick worms.
Ben Harrison (Three Rivers, Mich.) and Nicci Hencke (Portage, Mich.) - 2nd Place
Ben Harrison (Three Rivers, Mich.) and Nicci Hencke (Portage, Mich.) were second ($120) with 8.71 pounds caught on drop-shot rigs in 6 to 9 feet of water.
Rick and Jennifer Kedik (South Bend) - 3rd Place
Rick and Jennifer Kedik (South Bend) were third ($80) with 8.30 pounds caught on tubes fished in deep weeds.
The next tournament is an Open at Lake St. Clair. The female/male partnership is not required in opens. It’s an $80 entry fee and will launch at the Clinton Cut Off ramp. Hours are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call Rick Kedik (269) 240-4917 for more information.
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SMAC Report
A big bass caught by Paul Groves and Jeff Stankovich carried them to the Southwest Michigan Anglers Club (SMAC) win at Magician Lake over the weekend.
The winners’ 4.52-pound bass anchored their 11.59-pound limit. They used tube jigs to catch the fish.
John Gipson and Justin Hahaja were second with a 9.83- pound limit caught on jigs while Zach Manary and Sam Ryan were third with 9.11 pounds caught on tubes. Matt Gordon and Trevor Paulus were fourth with 8.85 pounds.
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Arjay’s Report
Gary Butcher and Scott Smith - 1st Place
Gary Butcher and Scott Smith kicked off the Arjay’s Wednesday Night Fishing League season with a big win at Prairie River Lake this week.
The winners had a limit weighing 11.06 pounds, beating out 19 other teams.
Steve and Amy Martin - 3rd Place
Joshua Leonard and Justin Groff - 4th Place
Shawn and Mike McCann were second with 8.04 pounds while Steve and Amy Martin were third with four fish weighing 7.78 pounds and who’s bigger bass broke the tie with Joshua Leonard and Justin Groff who also had 7.78 and finished fourth.
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SMAC Report
Steve and Amy Martin - 2nd Place
Ken Chesser and Ryan Olson used drop-shot rigs and jigs to catch a 14.90-pound limit and win the Southwest Michigan Anglers Club (SMAC) at Paw Paw last weekend.
Steve and Amy Martin were second with a limit weighing 14.76 pounds caught deep on swim baits while Korey Blass and Kevin Mack also had a limit caught on Ned Rigs weighing 13.73 pounds.
Justin Hahaj and John Gipson - 4th Place
Gene McIntosh and Blaine Pickavet - 5th Place
Justin Hahaj and John Gipson were fourth with a 12.51-pound limit caught on Senkos and Drop-Shots while Gene McIntosh and Blaine Pickavet were fifth with five bass weighing 11.89.
The next event is Sunday at Magician.