Another DK Open has come and gone - this time the first ever spring paper tournament version Saturday, May 12, 2007 on Lake St. Clair and the new CHAMPIONS ARE:
cast n blast (Skip), MadWags (Jason –the Mad part) and csfishslayer (Chris) with a whopping 5 smallmouth limit of 21 pounds 6 ounces!!! Congratulations anglers!!! – Check out the updated only online virtual plaque at: http://www.greatlakesbass.com/fishing/dkopenhx.html
Here are the full results (1st name is the boater):
Place – Anglers | # - Weight | Big Bass |
| 1. cast n blast, MadWags, csfishslayer | 5 – 21-6 | 4-14 |
| 2. mjm6, sensai steve, djkimmel | 5 – 17-12 | 3-13 |
| 3. MaizeNBlue, stackenem | 5 – 17-10 | 4-0 |
| 4. VinceR, bassackward, Ryan | 5 – 17-0 | 3-14 |
| 5. yukonjack2, Hooksetter, Team Houston | 5 – 15-7 | 3-11 |
| 6. richie33, TCook | 5 – 14-8 | 3-12 |
| 7. ABA, MiBassKid | 5 – 14-8 | 3-8 |
| 8. MadWags, Dan, jerkbait | 5 – 13-0 | 3-0 |
| 9. Langer, fiker50 | 5 – 11-4 | 2-12 |
| 10. Revtro, ABA Jaye | 5 – 10-15 | 3-0 |
| 11. Dartag, jcheetam | 5 – 10-11 | 3-2 |
| 12. Fowlmouth, motocross269 | 5 – 10-7 | 2-4 |
Additional awards:
Big Bass – cast n blast for a 4-14 smallie.
2nd Big Bass – stackenem for a 4-0 smallie.
And from the OTHER FISH category, we had a number sheephead brought in and the winner is – stackenem again!!!
Pictures coming soon (thanks to our 'official' photographer fiker50)
Despite the less than perfect conditions - cold front, water temp drop, stained to muddy water and stiff Northerly winds, the fishing was still pretty good. Everyone got a tournament limit and many of us probably learned some more things about these fish that we chase after. I know we did in mjm6's boat considering the spots we were fishing (all mjm6's spots - thanks Mike - on which there was a thought the bass might have vacated with the conditions).
Here's what I'd like to highlight right now - the DK Open is a small event, but thanks to all your participation on GreatLakesBass.com we have excellent support from many sponsors (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/fishing/glbsponsors.html) and other companies.
The entry is only $7 for the DK Open because it is all about the members hanging out and enjoying what we are all here for - FISHING! But I like to provide some additional incentive to those who come together for the event and the sponsors are more than willing to help out. So here we go:
1st place: cast n blast, MadWags, csfishslayer - $100 and they split a $50 gift certificate courtesy of Wonderland Marine West (http://www.wonderlandmarinewest.com), a custom lure pack courtesy of Xtreme Bass Tackle (http://www.combat-bassfishing.com) and a copy of The Angler's Genie (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/store/glbstore3.html) courtesy of Genie and BTI (http://www.btillc.net/).
As the winning boater, cast n blast received a custom crankbait and t-shirt courtesy of Carolina Chip (http://www.carolinachip.com), and cast n blast also received a copy of Seth Burrill's Drop Shot DVD (http://www.axfishing.com) for his 4-12 big bass of the DK Open.
2nd place: mjm6, sensai steve, djkimmel - $60 and they split a $50 gift certificate courtesy of Wonderland Marine West (http://www.wonderlandmarinewest.com), a custom lure pack courtesy of Xtreme Bass Tackle (http://www.combat-bassfishing.com) and a copy of The Angler's Genie (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/store/glbstore3.html) courtesy of Genie and BTI (http://www.btillc.net/).
As the 2nd place boater, mjm6 received a custom crankbait and t-shirt courtesy of Carolina Chip (http://www.carolinachip.com). He also received a new Team Skeeter tournament shirt donated by stackenem.
3rd place: MaizeNBlue, stackenem - $36 and they each received a boat cleaning kit courtesy of Wonderland Marine West (http://www.wonderlandmarinewest.com).
As the 3rd place boater, MaizeNBlue received a custom crankbait and t-shirt courtesy of Carolina Chip (http://www.carolinachip.com). stackenam also received a $25 gas card for 2nd big bass courtesy of Xtreme Bass Tackle (http://www.combat-bassfishing.com) and the biggest 'other' fish award for his sheephead of a Doug Hannon's WaveCast spinning reel courtesy of Shamrock Rod and Reel (http://www.shamrockrodandreel.com).
4th place: VinceR got a Mercury hat courtesy of Wonderland Marine West (http://www.wonderlandmarinewest.com) as the next highest Mercury motor owner.
5th place: yukonjack2, Hooksetter, Team houston received new Ranger Boats hats courtesy of Wonderland Marine West (http://www.wonderlandmarinewest.com) (2) and MadWags (1).
6th place: richie33 got 2 gallons of YamaLube as the next highest finishing Yamaha Motors owner courtesy of Wonderland Marine West (http://www.wonderlandmarinewest.com).
MadWags (David), Dan, Langer and fiker50 all received Dock Locks courtesy of ABA (ANTHONY ADAMS) as the next highest finishing boat owners.
stackenem donated 4 tackle boxes that went to (I might have goofed up the records on this?) Revtro, ABA Jaye, dartag and jcheetam (someone let me know if I got this wrong).
A new Luck of the Irish award was given to richie33 for sharing the luckiest fish story of the day – he received a green Yamaha hat courtesy of Wonderland Marine West (http://www.wonderlandmarinewest.com).
Everyone who wanted some got a sample of new lures also courtesy of ABA, and a number of anglers received sample lures courtesy of Xtreme Bass Tackle (http://www.combat-bassfishing.com) from the GreatLakesBass.com prize vault.
Please remember the companies that help make GreatLakesBass.com and our events possible when you're considering purchases and services. Thanks to:
Wonderland Marine West (http://www.wonderlandmarinewest.com)
Xtreme Bass Tackle (http://www.combat-bassfishing.com)
The Angler's Genie from BTI (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/store/glbstore3.html)
Carolina Chip (http://www.carolinachip.com)
Shamrock Rod and Reel (http://www.shamrockrodandreel.com)
Seth Burrill's Axfishing.com (http://www.axfishing.com)
ABA (ANTHONY ADAMS)
stackenem
MadWags
Some pictures from the event (thanks fiker50).
(http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopens0.jpg)
Participants hand in their paper weigh slips to WayneC (Wayne Carpenter) - owner of Xtreme Bass Tackle while I check them off. This is my boater partner for the day mjm6.
(http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopens1.jpg)
WayneC sorts through the weigh slips while I go through the 'prize vault' preparing the prizes for the award ceremony.
(http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopens3.jpg)
Anglers do some 'networking' while the weights are tallied and sorted. From L to R, here's bassackward, jerkbait and ABA Jaye.
(http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopens1st.jpg)
Congratulations to 2007 Spring DK Open Champs cast n blast, csfishslayer and MadWags (Jason). 5 smallies weighing 21-6 with cast n blast's 4-14 whopper big bass.
(http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopens2nd.jpg)
2nd place boater and nonboater - the team I was also on - mjm6 and sensai steve.
(http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopens4th.jpg)
3rd place team nonboater stackenem and boater MaizeNBlue had a great day too. I'm in the background going through the prize vault with Langer and fowlmouth on the far right.
(http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopens4.jpg)
stackenem had a great day and he's pretty happy to win the $25 gas card courtesy of Xtreme Bass Tackle for his 2nd Big Bass award. mjm6 watches in the background right.
(http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopens2.jpg)
We had an 'other' big fish contest so those who wanted to could bring any legally caught in-season fish for an additional award. From left to right - MiBassKid, bassackward, yukonjack2 and the 'other' big fish winner - stackenem!!
(http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopensall.jpg)
The 2007 Spring DK Open anglers from left to right kneeling first:
djkimmel, Ryan, mjm6, MadWags (David), stackenem, Dan
Standing row:
cast n blast, richie33, TCook, fiker50, Langer, bassackward, Revtro, jerkbait, VinceR, MadWags (Jason), fowlmouth, sensai steve, yukonjack2, MiBassKid, Team houston, jcheetam, Hooksetter, dartag, csfishslayer, ABA Jaye, ABA, MaizeNBlue
motocross260 had to leave before the pictures where taken. (If I got anyone wrong... just let me know.)
Looks like everyone had a fun day. I wish I could have made it, but had to sell boats instead. I will definatley try to make the next one.
Rob
Understand Rob - We do REALLY appreciate the wonderful prize package you put together!!! The anglers who fish the event all seem to be very glad they made it.
Nice Levataing Banner!
heres some pics from chris's camera.
Hey Fliker50,
Could you email me a full KB group shot. Thanks
dshinebassman@yahoo.com
Sorry I had to leave early but OT has been scarce at the Blue oval. Saturdays are pretty much what pays the fishing bills. Thanks to Dan for puting this on and all of the sponsors. Also thanks to Fowlmouth for taking me out. I had a great time.
Thanks Dan for a great time. Alos thanks to maize for showing me where to go if I ever get my boat out there. I think I can remember how to get there even tho Maize & blue tried to make me forget everything LOL. Yes it still hurts.
Dan,
Quote from: Dan on May 14, 2007, 02:03:22 PM
Hey Fliker50,
Could you email me a full KB group shot. Thanks
dshinebassman@yahoo.com
I took the pics, but it was with DK's camera. You'll have to get them from him.
Sorry.
Rick
Had a fun day with Dan and Jerkbait. We enjoyed finessing fish off beds in a sun soaked cove with no wind.
I think everyone had fun catching lots of fish. Dan boated several beautiful Sunfish. We took our time and enjoyed the day.
How long do the smallies stay shallow Madwags? If the weather cooperates I would like to come back over and try my luck and see if I can get one of those six poundas. Got to get my boat out yet and get it checked out.
Something pretty cool that happened to us Saturday during the tourney that I forgot to mention....Fowlmouth and I were fishing around metro beach and these 2 guys in a bass boat ask us how we were doing. We were one fish under our limit at that time and working pretty hard to finish. They asked us if we had any chatterbaits or buzzbaits because they were doing really well on them. I didn't have any so the guy TMs over to our boat and hands us one of each brand new in the bag. I thought that was really cool. We of course offered to pay for them, but he wouldn't take any money.
Fowlmouth tied on the chatterbait and we pretty much rounded out our limit shortly after that. That is what fishing is all about.
Wow - who were those guys? That's what people need to hear more about our 'brotherhood' (and sisterhood)!
Dan - what picture are you wanting - the last one above of everyone?
I'd like the group picture. thanks
Dan,
If the group picture on this thread is exactly what you need, you can just right-click on it and 'save image as...' right to your PC. You'll have the same thing right away that I would send you.
You can do that to most pictures on the forum and other web sites (some block the right-click and copyright rules apply, but I give you permission to save a copy of that picture file).
Yes but.... wouldn't the pixel resolution be lower? I would like to print it and without the original you get a poor quality print. Looks good on the computer though when you check the one out that I drug out it only is 56kb.
Quote from: motocross269 on May 14, 2007, 09:55:32 PM
Something pretty cool that happened to us Saturday during the tourney that I forgot to mention....Fowlmouth and I were fishing around metro beach and these 2 guys in a bass boat ask us how we were doing. We were one fish under our limit at that time and working pretty hard to finish. They asked us if we had any chatterbaits or buzzbaits because they were doing really well on them. I didn't have any so the guy TMs over to our boat and hands us one of each brand new in the bag. I thought that was really cool. We of course offered to pay for them, but he wouldn't take any money.
Fowlmouth tied on the chatterbait and we pretty much rounded out our limit shortly after that. That is what fishing is all about.
How cool is that? I said it before and I'll say it again; the GLB members are some of the most genuinely nice people I've seen on the water... but it's awesome to hear about other folks like this.
i forgot Cheetam caught a Tagged or New Baltimore Punk Walleye. it had a metal tag in it's jaw. i know them east side eyes are tough so it may have been imitating the kids on shore. he took a photo maybe he will post it..
Quote from: dartag on May 15, 2007, 04:50:16 PM
i forgot Cheetam caught a Tagged or New Baltimore Punk Walleye. it had a metal tag in it's jaw. i know them east side eyes are tough so it may have been imitating the kids on shore. he took a photo maybe he will post it..
It was a smallmouth with a metal band clipped to it's upper jaw. I took a pic thinking I would be able to read the numbers, but either my eye sight is bad or I took a really bad picture...anyways, it was the first tagged fish I have ever caught out there.
Fish are coming off the beds but will remain shallow as long as the weather stays cool and the boat traffic light. Even so the first stop for the fish leaving is the emerging weed lines in 8 to 12 ft of water. They pretty much follow the food source. There is plenty of shallow fish still.
I would like to thank Dan for putting on another fun filled DK Open, you had some really nice prizes this year. I had a great day in the boat with two really nice guys, Vince and Shane, and I learned a lot from both of them. We didn't catch a ton of them, but the ones we did get were nice ones. For my first ever trip to St. Clair, I was pretty impressed.
Thanks again for the ride Vince, I really appreciate it and it was cool getting to know you.
Here is a picture of one of Shane's dandy St.Clair smallmouths.
(http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3AxxrKUp7BHD7Kofrj%3DQofrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQQnoxJJPxPQlxv8uOc5xQQQ0loaPGe0nnqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXPla%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,590,442)
I look forward to fishing future DK Opens!
-Ryan
Quote from: jcheetam on May 15, 2007, 08:42:43 PM
Quote from: dartag on May 15, 2007, 04:50:16 PM
i forgot Cheetam caught a Tagged or New Baltimore Punk Walleye. it had a metal tag in it's jaw. i know them east side eyes are tough so it may have been imitating the kids on shore. he took a photo maybe he will post it..
It was a smallmouth with a metal band clipped to it's upper jaw. I took a pic thinking I would be able to read the numbers, but either my eye sight is bad or I took a really bad picture...anyways, it was the first tagged fish I have ever caught out there.
jeez and you say your eyesite is bad. guess it was a smallie. my excuse is my eyes are old. :D :D
Thanks again Skip, I had a "blast" with you and Chris out on St. Clair. I really learned a lot (especially about fishing line) ;). I just wish I still had that killer rattle trap. Maybe next time I'll take you up on that net. Oh well, I guess that is what BassPro Shops is for right??
Who was the photographer that decided to cut me out of the "The First Place Team Photo"?? I do remember fishing from cast n blast's boat. Even if Skip bumped all my fish off the board. . . .
What's up with that??
Thank you for the kind words, Ryan. I had a great time. I just wish that the weather had cooperated, and that you could have had the oportunity to see St. Clair in it's glory. Believe me, it is addictive. Oh, and by the way, guys, most of our fish came from the water that you see in the picture. We fished in water that looked like that for most of the day. I have come to believe that water clarity has a greater effect on the fishermen than it does the fish.
Dan, these tournaments were a great idea. It's getting to where I really look forward to these events. Just competitive enough to be fun, but laid back enough to keep it fun.
And just so that you know, I helped this time. Not just with the net. ;)
Quote from: Langer on May 14, 2007, 12:56:30 PM
Nice Levataing Banner!
Freaky, huh? Don't know how that got there... (:))
Quote from: Dan on May 15, 2007, 12:54:21 PM
Yes but.... wouldn't the pixel resolution be lower? I would like to print it and without the original you get a poor quality print. Looks good on the computer though when you check the one out that I drug out it only is 56kb.
Ok - just needed to know the intent I guess. I purposefully lowered the resolution for the web site to save space and mostly download time. I also cropped it quite a bit.
Let's make this easy in case anyone else wants a copy: go to this web address (pull up an image only) to bring up the original digital shot full size - the do the right click and save - should be around 700KB: http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopensall014.jpg (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopensall014.jpg)
Then, if you want the full size/resolution, but cropped (around 369KB) in a tighter to the anglers, use this address: http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopensallcr014.jpg (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/w07dkopensallcr014.jpg)
Let me know if you have any problems with this.
Quote from: Jay-MadWags on May 16, 2007, 11:23:12 PM
Thanks again Skip, I had a "blast" with you and Chris out on St. Clair. I really learned a lot (especially about fishing line) ;). I just wish I still had that killer rattle trap. Maybe next time I'll take you up on that net. Oh well, I guess that is what BassPro Shops is for right??
Who was the photographer that decided to cut me out of the "The First Place Team Photo"?? I do remember fishing from cast n blast's boat. Even if Skip bumped all my fish off the board. . . .
What's up with that??
Don't tell me you have your own screenname now!!??!! Will wonders never cease!?!
You're in the picture dude. We wouldn't want to miss that lovely bright blue Yamaha shirt!!! You may have to scroll to the right to see yourself depending on your screen size and resolution. Should be a horizontal scroll bar.
Quote from: jcheetam on May 15, 2007, 08:42:43 PM
Quote from: dartag on May 15, 2007, 04:50:16 PM
i forgot Cheetam caught a Tagged or New Baltimore Punk Walleye. it had a metal tag in it's jaw. i know them east side eyes are tough so it may have been imitating the kids on shore. he took a photo maybe he will post it..
It was a smallmouth with a metal band clipped to it's upper jaw. I took a pic thinking I would be able to read the numbers, but either my eye sight is bad or I took a really bad picture...anyways, it was the first tagged fish I have ever caught out there.
Shoot! You missed a good opportunity to help the MDNR on that one. I believe they are looking for those tag results - date caught, length of fish, place caught, and tag number. Part of a population study on smallies out there. Anyone else catches one, make sure and get the number down. I'll get my memory refreshed on what they are looking for exactly.
I'm glad everyone had fun and many of you want more. Guess I better get cracking on the fall event - even more tough to pick a date and lake to get enough people there to make it worthwhile for everyone.
It was my pleasure Jason hope I draw you again sometime.
If anyone catches a big fat smallie sporting a lipless crank in its lip please contact Jason I think he realy realy wants it back. ;D
If anyone finds that lipless crankbait in a smallie's mouth in Lake St. Clair, you can keep it. I ended up buying a couple new ones at BassPro. Just try not to lose it again if you do find it. . .