Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
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Tackle Shack Report
Lee Duracz and Terry Burgess - 1st Place
Lee Duracz and Terry Burgess used strong current to their advantage to win the Tackle Shack Fall Brawl last weekend on the St. Joseph River at 6 Span Bridge in Elkhart.
The winners had 12.57 pounds, including a 3.05 pounder, to win $1,440. They said they fished Ned Rigs in 2 to 12 feet of water.
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B.A.S.S. Report
BASS College Series
The 2022 B.A.S.S. tournament schedule continues to take shape as organization officials announced today the slates for its College, High School and Junior Series.
The events have been a valuable tool for encouraging youth fishing participation across the country, and they're beginning to have a pronounced effect on the highest levels of professional bass fishing. Since B.A.S.S. started these circuits in 2013, there has been a 97% growth in the number of participating schools and clubs at the college level while the high school and junior tournament level has seen an astounding 724% increase in the number of clubs and schools competing.
"There are already former college anglers sprinkled throughout the Bassmaster Elite Series field," said Hank Weldon, the longtime High School and College Series tournament manager who was recently promoted to tournament director of the Bassmaster Opens. "Just this year we saw former College Classic Bracket winners Jacob Foutz and Cody Huff qualify for the Elites through the Opens.
"I think it's just a matter of time before the majority of the Elite field will have some kind of experience in our youth programs."
The Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops will open at the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Fla., Jan. 21-22. As most early-season Florida events are, the tournament should be dominated by hefty prespawn and spawning largemouth.
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Casting Couples Report
Despite only a four-fish limit in the Casting Couples Fall Opens, 17 teams faced extremely tough fishing at Diamond Lake last weekend.
Ron Fabiszak and Jason Fowler (Mishawaka) had four keeper bass totaling 6.37 pounds to win $300. Fabiszak and Fowler used swimbaits on shallow weedy flats.
Rick Kedik and Jake Lisenko (South Bend) had four keeper bass totaling 6.19 pounds to earn $170. Kedik and Lisenko used jigs in 6 feet of water.
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Starboard Choice Report
Don and Brian Whittaker used moving baits to catch 14.29 pounds and win $210 in the Starboard Choice Marine Fall Open.
The Whittakers caught their fish in 2-4 feet of water.
John Gipson and Bill Mathews were second ($110) with 14.04 that included the big bass of the tourney ($40), a 4.20-pounder. They used Rat’L Traps, Topwaters and bladed jigs in 6-10 feet.
The next tournament is November 14th on Lake Shafer out of the Big Monon ramp. The entry fee is $50 and there is a $12 parking/launch fee. Tournament hours are 8-4. Contact John Gipson, 674-637-6919 for more information.
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BASS Report
2022 Bassmaster Opens Scheduled
B.A.S.S. officials announced the slate for the 2022 Bassmaster Opens Series, with nine tournaments in three divisions covering nine states as the pathway to some of the most-coveted invitations in all of professional bass fishing.
After starting late in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Opens schedule will return in 2022 to a late-winter start date with the first tournament, a Southern Division event, set for Feb. 3-5 on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Kissimmee, Fla.
From there, the Opens will wind through Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, New York and Maryland.