Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
Friday, October 10, 2025
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Butchers Baits Report
Chad and Dustin (no last names provided) caught a big sack to win the Butchers Baits tournament last weekend on Austin Lake.
The winners had 15.09 pounds caught on Zman JackHammers.
Jeremy Siler and Brock Howell were second with 12.08 pounds that included the biggest bass of the derby, a 4.01 pounder. They caught their fish on Strike King Thunder Crickets.
Ray Lohr and Charlie Fouts used jigs to finished third with 12.02 pounds.
Billy Smith became the Butchers Baits Circuit’s first kayak angler who was fourth with 11.07 pounds and just missed winning the big bass pot by one ounce.
The next tournament is June 22 at Coldwater Lake from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information, contact Gary Butcher, 269 503 2706.
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Casting Couples Report
Loren and Carrie Crosbie had five keeper bass totaling 13.52 pounds to win the Casting Couples Tourney on Austin Lake.
The Crosbies won $310 plus another $65 for having the biggest bass, a 4.28-pound largemouth. They used swimbaits and soft plastics.
Eleven of 14 teams weighed in limits. There were three over 4 pounds and 6 over 3 pounds in the 63 bass weighed in.
Scott and Patty Smith were second ($175) with 13.14 pounds. The Smith's used Butchers Baits Stick worms and frogs in one area of the lake, all day.
Third went to Tanner Hursh and Haley Dodd with 11.90 pounds, to earn $100. Hursh and Dodd used drop-shot rigs on inside weed edges. They also received their plaques for winning the 2014 Classic.
Seth and Nicole Spaulding were fourth with 10.30 pounds. They fished wacky worms in shallow areas.
The second biggest bass of the day went to Jeff and Amy Likes with a 4.18-pound largemouth, earning tackle packs from Butcher's Baits.
The next male/female tournament is Paw Paw Lake June 21st, from 6.am to noon. Contact Rick 269-240-4917, or Facebook MichianaCastingCouples for more information.
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SMAC Report
Billy Mathews and John Newbower outgunned 24 other teams in a Southwest Michigan Anglers Club (SMAC) limit-fest shootout at Magician Saturday.
The 25 teams registered 24 limits, with lots of bags weighing 8 and 9 pounds. There were 208.45 pounds of bass weighed in during the event.
The winners had 12.47 pounds caught on Ned rigs and drop-shot rigs in 10 to 20 feet. They also had the biggest big bass, a 3.52-pound largemouth.
Mike VanderReyden and Brett Gessinger were second with 10.23 pounds taken on tube jigs in 5 to 10 feet.
Pat Pilmore fished alone to take third with 9.70 pounds. He fished drop-shot rigs and grubs in 8 feet of water.
Fourth place went to Jeff Stankovich and Steve Grove with 9.63 pounds. They fished wacky rigs and tubes in 4 to 10 feet.
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SSBP Report
Anglers from across the region will hit the waters of Lake Michigan this summer for the second annual South Shore Bass Open, taking place August 2–3 at the Hammond Marina. Presented by Horseshoe Casino Hammond, this exciting new tournament will have teams fishing the Indiana and Illinois stretches of Lake Michigan and its tributaries in pursuit of trophy smallmouth and largemouth bass.
“We’re thrilled to host the South Shore Bass Open alongside Hammond firefighter Dennis Banik,” said Jimmy Nelson, Director of Sports for the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. “This event not only highlights Lake Michigan’s world-class fishing but also brings families and communities together for a fun, competitive weekend outdoors. We can’t wait to welcome anglers and spectators alike.”
Tournament entry fee is $400 per team until May 31, 2025, and $450 per team from June 1 - July 28, 2025. CalSag and Big Lake Bass Members get an additional $50 off per team entry.
The tournament kicks off on Friday, August 1 with a mandatory pre-tournament meeting and a hospitality reception at Horseshoe Casino Hammond. On Saturday morning, teams will launch from Hammond Marina to begin their two-day quest, with live weigh-ins on both Saturday and Sunday.
Top prize is $10,000, awarded to the team with the best total two-day catch (five fish per day). Additional prizes will be given for the largest bass caught each day and the heaviest overall five-fish limit.
Tournament organizer Dennis Banik shared his excitement: “We’re proud to bring this event back for a second year with support from Horseshoe Casino, the South Shore CVA, and the Hammond Marina. During the tournament, teams and spectators can enjoy more than just fishing—food and drink vendors, a live DJ, kids’ games, boat displays, vendor booths, and more will be available throughout the weekend. Bring the whole family for a great time on the lakeshore and watch some of the Midwest’s best anglers bring in their catches.”
For more information and full event details, visit: southshorebass.com. Questions? Contact Tournament Organizer Dennis Banik at 219-512-2924 or southshorebassopen@gmail.com.
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Michiana Singles Report
Magician Lake was red-hot Thursday night when the Michiana Singles Circuit visited.
There were 17 teams who caught 10 limits. There were 62 bass weighed in, including two over three pounds.
Grant Hoover walked away with first place and the big bass pot. He had 12.98 pounds that included a 3.66-pound largemouth. Hoover said he fished jigs in deeper water to take home a total of $400.
Scott Crocker had a limit weighing 10.86 pounds, and the second biggest bass, a 3.60-pound largemouth. Crocker said that he used jigs and drop-shot rigs to take home $160.
Kyle Leamer had a 10-pound limit of bass totaling for third, good for $100. Leamer used drop-shots in deeper water earning $100.
Tanner Hursh fished drop-shot rigs in 10 feet to weigh in 8.62 pounds and finish fourth ($60).
The next Singles tournament is Sunday, June 22nd at Potato Creek near North Liberty, Ind. Hours are 6 a.m.-1 p.m, Entry fee is $5. Any questions, contact Rick 269-240-4917.