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Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive MarineTournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine


SWMBBC Report

Bill Mathews and Kris Iodice - 1st PlaceBill Mathews and Kris Iodice - 1st Place

Bill Mathews and Kris Iodice won the Southwest Michigan Big Bass Challenge at Benton Harbor last Saturday with 17.29 pounds.

They pocketed $270.

Second place ($170) went to Evan and Joel Timmons with 16.81 pounds while John Gipson and Mike Rappette were third ($100) with 9.84 pounds. Scott Solomon fished alone for fourth ($80) with 9.34 pounds.

Gipson and Rappette also won big bass honors ($85) with a 4.81 pounder.

Top patterns were A-rigs, soft plastics, crankbaits jerkbaits and jigs. The fish were really spread out as the winners caught their fish from the Jasper Dairy to the mouth of Lake Michigan.

The next event is Saturday in Benton Harbor at the DNR ramp. Hours are 8-3 and entry fee is $50.


Tackle Shack Report

Jason Schwartz and Brian Miller - 1st PlaceJason Schwartz and Brian Miller - 1st Place

Jason Schwartz and Brian Miller fished swimbaits on 1/8-ounce jigheads to win the Tackle Shack’s Fall League event on Klinger Lake Saturday.

The winners had 9.59 pounds anchored by a 3.19-pound bass to win $525. They targeted fish feeding on bait balls moving across flats in 3 to 9 feet of water.


SW Challenge Report

John Gipson Jr. - 1st PlaceJohn Gipson Jr. - 1st Place

John Gipson Jr. fished alone and caught 10.16 pounds at Magician Lake to win the Southwest Michigan Big Bass Challenge recently.

Gipson’s sack was anchored by a 5.90-pound largemouth. He won $210.

Seth Spaulding and John Davis were second ($140) with 9.53 while Collin Burger and Mitch Cohan were third ($70) with 9.30.

All of the fish were caught on reaction baits like spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits on flats in 10 feet deep or less water.

The next tournament is Saturday from 8-3 on the St. Joe at the Benton Harbor launch ram across from Tackle Haven. The tournament pays one place for every four boats entered.


MLF Report

Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the 2021 MLF Bass Pro Tour schedule.

The 2021 Bass Pro Tour season will run from March to September and feature seven regular-season tournaments. MLF will also host four MLF Cups, REDCREST and the MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters ñ an all-star event that highlights the 40 anglers from the Bass Pro Tour with the highest cumulative weight from their single largest bass in each of the five regular-season events held in 2020.

"We are hitting these lakes and rivers at the right time for incredible competition. Iím expecting the Bass Pro Tour anglers to keep SCORETRACKER busy all year long," said Michael Mulone, Senior Director of Events & Partnerships for MLF. "Our host cities understand the power of our brand and are primed and ready to welcome our anglers, staff, sponsors and fans. We are so grateful for their continued partnerships and are looking forward to bringing fast-paced, fan-friendly competition to their communities and to our fans worldwide."


There may a lot of fall and late season tournaments, but the one that has stood the test of time is Bob Evan’s Annual Thanksgiving Tournament.

This year will mark the 29th year of the popular team tournament and it will be held at Klinger Lake Saturday, Nov. 28. Tournament hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and entry fee is $40, which includes big bass pot.

For more information, contact Bob Evans at gkingbevans@gmail.com or call him at 574-320-3366.