Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
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R&B Report
Bobby Nelson and Jim Hippensteel - 1st Place
Bobby Nelson and Jim Hippensteel out-fished 19 other teams to win the R&B Super Tournament opener at Lake Maxinkuckee under brutal weather conditions last weekend.
The winners had 15.50 pounds that included the second biggest bass of the tournament and brought home a total of $1,000.
Mark Farver and Steve Kline were second ($530) with 15.05 pounds. They also caught the big bass ($110), which was a 6.50-pound monster largemouth.
Austin and TJ Becker were third ($300) with just over 12 pounds.
Teams can still qualify for the classic by fishing the three remaining Super Tournaments at Barbee, Paw Paw, and Lake Tippecanoe.
The next tournament is a regular season event ($70 entry fee) April 16 at Lake Wawasee. For more information, contact John Gipson Jr., 269-362-4670
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By Louie Stout
April Showers may bring May flowers, but it also brings a rush into the bass tournament season.
As tournament groups gear up for the regular season, some are planning “Opens” which usually means no membership fee and anyone can enter. These events are used as fund-raisers.
There are three events (that we know about) coming next weekend.
The Dennis Losee benefit on the St. Joe River at 6 Span - that was previously scheduled for this weekend - was moved to April 2nd. Entry fee is $65 with 50 percent of the pot going to Michiana angler Dennis Losee who suffered a stroke and needs help paying medical bills.
In addition, Clear H2o Tackle will donate an additional $25 for each boat entered and an additional $25 per any winners of side pots who donate their winnings back to the cause. Plaques will be given to the top three finishing teams.
Tournament hours are 8-2. For more information, contact Steve Martin, 269-858-6296.
If river fishing isn’t your thing, Casting Couples will be having an Open the same day at Lake Maxinkuckee. The tournament is open, meaning there are no gender restrictions on teams. Hours are 7-1 and entry fee is $50 plus $5 for big bass. You can fish alone, if you wish.
Another Casting Couples Open will be held April 16 on Lake Webster. For more information, call Rick Kedik, 269-240-4917.
If you can’t get enough tournament fishing on Saturday, the Angola Hog Hunters will have an open Sunday, April 3 on Lake Hamilton in northeastern Indiana. Hours are 7-3 and entry fee is $100. Call Kevin Days, 260-243-0266 for more info.
Hopefully, the weather will improve and the fishing is good!
For the remainder of the season, follow our Lake Drive Marine Events Calendar which lists specifics of tournaments and dates. If your event isn’t on the schedule, email us at stoutoutdoors@comcast.net.
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By Al McGuckin
Hank Cherry's Boat
Hank Cherry stood on a boat dock at Table Rock Lake watching amateur anglers idle through morning takeoff at the recent Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners event and felt his tear ducts getting jumpy.
“That boat right there is the boat I won in an Oakley Big Bass event that saved my fishing career and ultimately changed my life,” reflected an emotional Cherry.
You see, before the world came to know Hank Cherry as a back-to-back Bassmaster Classic Champion, an unfortunate series of events found him unloading horse feed and fertilizer at a lawn and garden store just trying to keep the light bill paid at home.
That was 13 years ago, when a corporate buy-out landed him out of a job as a well-paid district manager in the wine and spirits industry. And then the brutal reality hit that tournament fishing was far more a detriment to his personal finances than a profit center at that time – placing he and beloved bride Jaclyn on the verge of dire economic straits.
“I was at my lowest point,” admits Cherry.
To stay afloat, Cherry sold his bass boat, quit fishing tournaments, and stopped dreaming of a pro angling career when a friend invited him to ride along in an Oakley Big Bass event on Lake Norman. And that’s when Cherry’s storied life turned toward its intended path.
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B.A.S.S.Report
Jason Christie, 2022 Bassmaster Classic Champion
GREENVILLE, S.C. — For years, Jason Christie has had to live with the crushing weight of leading pro fishing’s biggest event twice on the final day, only to fall short.
But no more.
The 48-year-old pro from Park Hill, Okla., led once again going into Championship Sunday and this time sealed the deal in dramatic fashion with a final-day limit of 17 pounds, 9 ounces that made him the champion of the 52nd Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk at Lake Hartwell. His three-day total of 54-0 was only 5 ounces better than that of second-place finisher Kyle Welcher, who shared the lead with Christie going into the final day.
The event drew a Classic-record 154,932 fans.
“Honestly, when I was sitting at the door waiting to come in and weigh my fish, I thought I had given it away again,” said Christie, who pushed his career earnings with B.A.S.S. to $1,668,011 with the $300,000 victory. “Stetson Blaylock had just weighed in a big bag, and Kyle Welcher used to be a professional poker player, so I knew he had more than what he was saying.
“I knew it was gonna be close. I honestly thought there could be a tie, and that was scary for me because I didn’t have any fish left.”
Christie certainly found plenty of fish throughout the week as he alternated between deep- and shallow-water patterns that were about as different as two techniques can be.
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B.A.S.S.Report
Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., and Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala.
Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., and Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala., are tied with 36 pounds, 7 ounces after Day 2 of the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. Photos by Chris Brown and Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
GREENVILLE, S.C. — With one day remaining, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk could not be much tighter, especially at the top of the standings.
Veteran Oklahoma pro Jason Christie and third-year Alabama pro Kyle Welcher moved into a tie for the lead during Saturday’s second round on Lake Hartwell, and only 7 pounds separate first place and 25th place as the anglers prepare for Championship Sunday.
Christie pushed his total to 36-7 by adding 19-6 on Saturday to the 17-1 he caught Friday. Welcher reached the mark by adding 17-10 to his Day 1 catch of 18-13.
After leading two previous Classics on the final day — only to fall just short of a victory — Christie joked that he was almost happy not having the lead to himself.
“That’s the best you can have if you feel like leading is bad luck,” he said, laughing. “All week, I’ve just felt like it’s my time. If it’s not, I don’t know when it is. I’m getting older and the fish are getting harder and these young guys are getting better.
“So, if this is not my time, I don’t know if it ever will be.”