Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
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By Alan McGuckin
Kevin VanDam
Be honest, if a genie in a bottle offered you an 18-pound limit of bass every time you went fishing, you’d jump on it like a 5-pound smallmouth on a soft shell crawdad.
So would I.
But for the greatest bass angler of all time, bringing an 18-pound limit of smallmouth to the scales on Day 1 of the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship on Lake Mille Lacs felt like Christmas without presents. Or, maybe a good old fashioned kick in the fishin’ shorts.
“Yea, absolutely I’d call it disappointing,” said Kevin VanDam in the predawn light just before heading out in search of a bigger sack of bronze bombers on Day 2.
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By Al McGuckin
Jordan Lee & Casey Ashley
Jordan Lee and Casey Ashley both sit inside the Top 10 of the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points race, and the two Quantum pros graciously offered their input on everything from fried catfish to sturgeon, and of course smallmouth bass, on the eve of competition at Lake Mille Lacs.
Last year was a slugfest here at Mille Lacs. How do conditions compare this year?
Jordan Lee: The weather is a lot warmer. Last year we were wearing Carhartt beanies on our heads to stay warm, and the lake does seem to be fishing tougher.
Casey Ashley: It’s so much tougher this year. It’s like these fish got a good education between last year and now. There aren’t any dumb ones left swimming here now.
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Mark Farver (Goshen) and Steve Kline (Albion)
Mark Farver (Goshen) and Steve Kline (Albion) won the R&B Circuit West Division tournament on Diamond Lake last weekend.
The tourney winners ($550) had 10.37 pounds which included the Native Pride Tackle Big Bass ($200) - a 4.77 pound largemouth. They fished a combination of tube jigs and bass jigs around weedbeds in 12-14 feet of water. The big fish bit the jig.
The victory also earned them the distinction of 2017 Season Champions of the West Division. A prize of $300 and plaques await them at the classic tournament on Houghton Lake.
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The fourth annual John C. Bradley Memorial Bass Tournament co-sponsored by the Marco Bassmasters will be held on Lake Maxinkuckee Sept. 24.
The field is limited to 50 teams and entry fee is $50 and includes big bass. There will be a 90 percent payback with the remaining proceeds going to local charities. The tournament, which has raised more than $1,800 for charities in the past, will start at safe light and run for eight hours.
For more information, call Jonathon Bradley, 765-427-7455.
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Steve and Amy Martin - 1st Place
Steve and Amy Martin (Union City, Mich.) caught a limit of five fish weighing 9.11 pounds to win the Casting Couples season finale on Magician Lake last weekend.
The Martins fished in 6-10 foot of water using Jigs and tubes to take home $215. They also had second Big Bass of the day with a 3.09-pound largemouth, earning a tackle pack from Money Mouth Baits.
Brian and Renee Hensley - 2nd Place
Brian and Renee Hensley (Edwardsburg, Mich.) had five that weight 8.5 pounds to finish second ($110). The Hensleys used grubs and Kytek swimbaits.