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Published: 11 July 2023

Smith Benefit Winners

Derek Kelly and Devin Wright won the Smith Family Benefit Saturday on Diamond Lake, but the real winner was the worthy cause that 38 teams showed up to support.

The efforts raised $4,200 to help defray costs incurred by fellow tournament angler Jordan Smith and his wife. The young couple’s baby boy was born prematurely with a heart condition and has remained in the hospital for several weeks.

Kelly and Write had 12 pounds 2 ounces that included a 4-pound, 4-ounce bass. They said they caught their fish on jigs, 10-inch worms and drop-shot rigs in 6 to 12 feet of water.

Skyler Traver and Drake Nevins were second with 11 pounds caught on drop shots and jigs in 10 to 15 feet while Trevor Nunemaker fished alone for third with three bass weighing 9 pounds 12 ounces. He also had the big bass of the event, a 5 pounder, caught shallow.

Gary Butcher and Scott Smith were fourth with 9-10 and Eric Moore and Shannon Combs fifth with 8-12.

The tournament paid three places and 50 percent of the $100 entry fee each team paid went to the family.

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Published: 07 July 2023

Scott Crocker and Terry Smith - 1st Place

Scott Crocker and Terry Smith won the Southwest Michigan Anglers Club (SMAC) tourney on the St. Joseph River at Niles last weekend.

Crocker and Smith had 11.07 pounds. They fished topwater lures and jigs to catch their fish.

Scott Solomon and Chad Lovell - 2nd Place

Scott Solomon and Chad Lovell were second with a limit weighing 10.33 pounds. They fished Ned rigs and Senkos and also won the big bass pot with a 2.98-pound largemouth.

The next SMAC event is Tuesday at Juno. For more information visit the Lake Drive Marine Events Calendar on this page.

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Published: 05 July 2023

Mercury Report

Jonathon VanDam

Modern fiberglass bass boats are built for speed and long-range efficiency, among other performance traits. In tournaments, speed plays a role on practically every outing, but making a long run requires some careful decision-making.

Mercury Pro Team member Jonathon VanDam is no stranger to long runs, and he’s quick to clarify the term. Generally, he defines “long” as 70-plus miles. However, it’s not always about the linear distance.

“It’s relevant to where you’re at,” said VanDam, who fishes the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. “There are cases when running 30 miles can be a long run. For example, on lakes like Table Rock or Bull Shoals, you’re not traveling a gigantic distance, but there are a lot of snaky turns throughout the run. The overall distance is not that far, but when you add it up, it’s a pretty good way.”

VanDam offered some advice to all tournament anglers when weighing the question of “Do I stay, or do I go?”

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