Kicker Pushes Dobson Over the Top

Co-angler Lovin takes title on Detroit River

Scott Dobson of Clarkston, Michigan, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 23 pounds, 10 ounces, Saturday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Michigan Division tournament on the Detroit River presented by Navionics. For his victory, Dobson took home $7,166.

Dobson says he targeted postspawn bass on flats and in current breaks in creek mouths. He dissected 15 to 20 areas and caught approximately 20 bass during the event.

“I caught two fish first thing in the morning that really anchored my limit,” says Dobson, who earned the sixth win of his FLW career. “One was just shy of 6 pounds. It ended up being the heaviest fish caught in the tournament. By 8 a.m. I had my entire limit. I made a small upgrade later in the day, but that was about it.

“I was throwing a Chartreuse Shad-colored Lucky Craft Pointer jerkbait,” Dobson continues. “I positioned it on the flat and brought it to the break to imitate the baitfish. It didn’t take long for the bass to ambush it.”

Dobson says he also used a Sexy Shad-colored Keitech Swing Impact swimbait to add a few keepers.

“I just kept chucking and winding, and eventually they ate it,” says Dobson. “The 6-pound bite really sealed the deal for me.”

The top 10 boaters:

1^st:          Scott Dobson, Clarkston, Mich., five bass, 23-10, $5,166 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus

2^nd:         Kyle Greene, Ortonville, Mich., five bass, 23-1, $2,136

3^rd:          Steve Clapper, Lima, Ohio, five bass, 21-11, $1,424

4^th:          David Reault, Livonia, Mich., five bass, 21-5, $997

5^th:          John Tromley, Richmond, Mich., five bass, 21-3, $854

6^th:          Chris King, South Amherst, Ohio, five bass, 20-8, $783

7^th:          Mark Modrak, China Township, Mich., five bass, 19-5, $712

8^th:          Ryan Hochstetler, Shipshewana, Ind., five bass, 18-6, $641

9^th:          Mervin Miller, Sugarcreek, Ohio, five bass, 18-4, $569

10^th:        Nick Neves, Brooklyn, Mich., five bass, 18-3, $473

               10^th:        Hyman Johnson, Ypsilanti, Mich., five bass, 18-3, $473

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com. 

Dobson’s 5-pound, 15-ounce bass – the biggest of the tournament in the pro division – earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $595.

Lovin wins co-angler title

John Lovin of Fayetteville, Ohio, weighed in five bass totaling 21 pounds, 4 ounces, Saturday to win the co-angler division and earn $2,100.

The top 10 co-anglers:

1^st:          John Lovin, Fayetteville, Ohio, five bass, 21-4, $2,100

2^nd:         Michael Sitko, Pinckney, Mich., five bass, 19-5, $1,050

3^rd:          Randy Westerfield, Constantine, Mich., five bass, 18-9, $701

4^th:          David Matual, Chicago, Ill., five bass, 18-8, $782

5^th:          Justin Sawyer, Dearborn Heights, Mich., five bass, 17-7, $420

6^th:          Steven Esbin, Holland, Mich., five bass, 16-13, $385

7^th:          Marvin Anderson, Russell Springs, Ky., five bass, 16-10, $350

8^th:          George Sterkel Jr., Cleveland, Ohio, five bass, 15-10, $315

9^th:          Bob Eastman, Fenton, Mich., five bass, 15-9, $280

10^th:        Bill Langille, Kent, Ohio, five bass, 15-8, $232

10^th:        Tony Mitchell, Plainwell, Mich., five bass, 15-8, $232

Matual caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division, a fish weighing 5 pounds, 2 ounces and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $292.

The top 50 boaters and 50 co-anglers based on point standings will qualify for the Oct. 13-15 Regional Championship on Kentucky Lake in Gilbertsville, Kentucky. 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.