Dobson Sticks With Jerkbait for Win

Stephens wins co-angler title

Scott Dobson of Clarkston, Michigan, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 21 pounds, 6 ounces Saturday to win the first Walmart Bass Fishing League Michigan Division tournament of 2015 on Lake St. Clair. For his victory, Dobson earned $5,804.

“I’m happy with the win, but it didn’t come easy,” said Dobson. “The wind was blowing so hard I was having trouble anchoring. Luckily I was able to put something together. 

“A lot of fish were spawning, but the waves kept me from getting down to those spots. So, I focused on postspawn areas that held baitfish up north near the St. Croix River,” continued Dobson. “I knew the fish were biting but the elements shook things up. Typically I catch 30 to 40 fish in a day but Saturday I only caught six keepers and culled once.”

Dobson said he caught his fish using a chartreuse and shad-colored Lucky Craft jerkbait and a Megabass Vision 110 Magnum jerkbait for fish that were in the current.

“The Lucky Craft did better with the wind. I got a little more distance out of it,” said Dobson.

“After all was said and done I knew I had a shot at a top-5 finish,” Dobson said. “The key for me was my Dobyns 684CB jerkbait rod, which definitely helped me seal the deal. It’s really forgiving.”

The top 10 boaters:

1^st:          Scott Dobson, Clarkston, Mich., five bass, 21-6, $3,804 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus

2^nd:         Wayne Macklin, Fenton, Mich., five bass, 19-12, $1,902

3^rd:          David Reault, Livonia, Mich., five bass, 18-15, $1,267

4^th:          Tony Yancey, Harrison Township, Mich., five bass, 18-13, $888

5^th:          Kyle Greene, Ortonville, Mich., five bass, 18-6, $761

6^th:          Curt Fiessinger, Minster, Ohio, five bass, 17-13, $697

7^th:          Mervin Miller, Sugarcreek, Ohio, five bass, 16-5, $602

7^th:          Mark Modrak, China Township, Mich., five bass, 16-5, $602

9^th:          Pat Upthagrove, Monroe, Mich., five bass, 15-12, $507

10^th:        Michael Sitko, Pinckney, Mich., five bass, 15-2, $444              

Complete results can be found here.  

Daniel Mittlestat of Woodhaven, Michigan, caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the pro division, a fish weighing 5 pounds, 5 ounces and earned the day’s Big Bass award of $505.

Stephens wins co-angler title

Allan Stephens of Florence, Kentucky, weighed in five bass totaling 20 pounds, 7 ounces Saturday to win $1,902 in the co-angler division.

The top 10 co-anglers:

1^st:          Allan Stephens, Florence, Ky., five bass, 20-7, $1,902

2^nd:         Jason Wallace, Lizton, Ind., five bass, 16-13, $951

3^rd:          Mark Miller, Baltic, Ohio, five bass, 15-15, $634

4^th:          Russell Martin, Canton, Mich., five bass, 14-9, $444

5^th:          David Bell, Edon, Ohio, five bass, 13-8, $380

6^th:          Damon Yuhas, Detroit, Mich., five bass, 13-5, $349

7^th:          Seth Valentine, Milford, Mich., four bass, 13-1, $317

8^th:          James Shetler, Newcomerstown, Ohio, five bass, 12-8, $285

9^th:          Robert Hernandez, Canton, Mich., five bass, 12-4, $254

10^th:        Bill Fox, Waterford, Mich., five bass, 12-0, $222

Miller caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division and earned the day’s Big Bass award of $252.

The top 50 boaters and 50 co-anglers based on point standings will qualify for the Oct. 8-10 Regional Championship on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard.