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2009 Sturgeon Bay
Open Bass Tournament Recap
Each year that passes we proudly
announce how that previous year’s Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament (SBOBT) was
another year for the record books and in every coming year we hope that the
tournament will live up to its impressive past. However, the 19th
Annual Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament that was held May 15-17 2009, was not
only a year for records, it was a year for firsts and many surprises.
On May 15th 2009 the
tournament events started like many previous years with the St. Croix Pro Am
sponsored by St. Croix Rods. Contestants, sponsors, and VIPs have the
opportunity to sign up to fish for the day. Prizes are always awarded (St.
Croix Rods and cash) but everyone that participates always has a great time.
After a great Friday no one could
have foreseen what Mother Nature had in store for her anglers on Saturday. Gale
force winds (winds exceeding 40 knots!) woke everyone Saturday morning. For the
safety of the fishermen, for the first time in almost two decades, the fishing
portion of the tournament’s events was cancelled for the day. It was a tough
decision to make knowing about 80% of the fisherman had to travel to participate
in the tournament. However, the decision was met with relief from the anglers
as many of them saw waves rolling over the six foot break walls around Sturgeon
Bay. Instead, a one day winner takes all shoot-out was held on Sunday.
While the weather did not lend to
any fishing on Saturday, the Dock Dance was held in the pavilion at Sawyer
Park. It was a bit on the chilly side, but many anglers and locals alike
enjoyed the music and camaraderie for the afternoon. Fun was definitely had by
all, with anticipation for what Sunday might bring!
The weather was still not the best
the tournament has seen, but the fishing was as good as ever. While the anglers
were out on the water, many families had a chance to visit with Sponge Bob
Squarepants and have their picture taken with him while they waited anxiously
for the fishermen to return for the one day winner takes all shoot-out for the
19th Annual Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament.
The weight of 32.18 lbs for the
six fish limit was caught by Bob Wetli and Chad Vander Kelen of Green Bay
Wisconsin and won them 1st place, a new Ranger 188VX Comanche powered
with a new Mercury 175 Pro XS and $10,000 cash. Second place went to
Chad Adrians and Caleb Colwell who caught 30.99 lbs.,
and with only a 10th of a pound difference at 30.89 lbs., third place
went to Bob Izumi and Derek Strub. John Graham and Brannon Daley caught
the Big Bass, a monster weighing 6.81lbs (that’s a bigger bass than Big Bass for
both Saturday and Sunday last year!). With weights like these imagine what two
days of fishing could have produced!
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