Every year that goes by it gets harder and harder to put into words how incredible it is that the Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament is still growing and still setting records as one of the largest bass tournaments in the Midwest.  2007 was again a year for the record books.  The Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament has now joined the ranks of such great tournaments like The Fort Francis Canadian Open and The Heartland Trails (Central Pro-Am) Tournament all who have more interest in competing in their tournaments than they have slots available.  It is overwhelming to think 17 years ago there were only a few dozen boats in the tournament, now teams practically have to compete to be a part of the competition.

The Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament’s success is largely due to its sponsors.  Mercury Marine and Ranger Boats were once again the tournament’s premier sponsors with St. Croix Rods, Baylake Bank, Strike King, Idlewild Golf, Lucky Craft, Charter and Flannigan-Budweiser, as major sponsors.  Many local businesses also helped sponsor the tournament and it would not be as successful as it is without them.

2007 was the third year in a row that for the Spring Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament that only 10 lbs separated 1^st place and 40^th  (the difference between 4^th and 5^th this year was only a 10^th of a lb!).  Just think, tournaments in the B.A.S.S. series have a difference between 1^st and 30^th place around 30 lbs.  That just shows how fierce the competitors are in the Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournaments. 

For the Spring Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament after two days of fishing no one could shake Donald Hewkin and Dave Davis from the top slot.  Their Saturday total of 27.12 lbs helped them remain on top with a two day total of 51.61lbs.  They took home a 2007 Z19 Ranger Boat powered by a 225 proxs Mercury Motor and a Motorguide trolling motor as well as $10,000 cash.   Tad Hepler and Dave Eggers took second place and $15,000 with a two day weight of 49.49 lbs.  In third place with a total weight of 49.08 lbs were Canadians Dave and Norm Lindsay.  They took home $10,000.  Big Bass on Saturday went to Hans Juech and Mark Duerr who had a 5.77 lb bass.  Sunday Neil Sealey and Bret Alexander weighed a 5.68 lb bass to take Big Bass on Sunday. 

As per tradition the Spring Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament began on Friday of the May 18-20 weekend with the Fritz Shurmur Pro-Am sponsored by St. Croix Rods.  Results were Dave Lindsay took first place for the pro’s with 5.09lbs, Chris Plzak took second with 4.96 lbs, and Norm Lindsay with his 4.70 lbs took third.  Matt Norman took first place for the amateur division with 4.24 lbs, close behind Brian Washa took second with 4.12 lbs and closer still George Kleist took third with 4.02 lbs.

The two days of fishing were separated by a dock dance Saturday afternoon at the tournament site Sawyer Park Pavilion.  Baylake Bank sponsored the dance with music by Sturgeon Bay local band “Stone Sober”.  Everyone that attended gave us great feedback so we will defiantly be doing it again next year.

Here’s to setting more records and another 17 years!

Ken Ellis
President, Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament