MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (June 28, 2004) - The 2004 Bass Fishing League Michigan Division tournament kicked off Saturday on Lake St. Clair near Mount Clemens, and Steve Clapper of Lima, Ohio, claimed the win thanks to a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 1 ounce. He bested 188 Boater Division competitors to earn $4,771 and 200 points.
Clapper caught his tournament-winning bass using ISG tubes around rock piles in 12 to 18 feet of water. Included in his stringer was a 4-pound, 14-ounce lunker that earned him $940 as the big-bass award winner in the Boater Division. He also earned a $1,000 bonus as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program. This was his fifth career BFL victory.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Mark Modrak of Chesterfield (five bass, 17 pounds, 14 ounces, $2,385); David Reault of Livonia (five bass, 17 pounds, $1,622); Nate Wellman of Jenison (five bass, 16 pounds, 15 ounces, $1,240); and Greg Babiarz of Brighton (five bass, 16 pounds, 8 ounces, $1,050).
Jeff Bishop of Clinton Township earned $2,385 as the Co-angler Division winner thanks to a five-bass catch that weighed 14 pounds, 7 ounces. He edged past 188 Co-angler Division competitors thanks to a green pumpkin ISG tube.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Michael McGrane of St. Clair Shores (five bass, 13 pounds, 10 ounces, $1,193); Jim Valentine of Leslie (five bass, 13 pounds, 3 ounces, $811); Chris Sparks of Kalamazoo (five bass, 12 pounds, 15 ounces, $620); and Larry Mecham of Livonia (five bass, 12 pounds, 10 ounces, $525).
Steve Contini of Lima, Ohio, earned $470 as the Co-angler Division big-bass winner with a 4-pound, 6-ounce bass he caught on a spinnerbait.
The Michigan Division's next stop will be July 10 on the Detroit River in Trenton. Each BFL division features four one-day events followed by a two-day Super Tournament to round out the regular season. The top 30 Michigan Division boaters and co-anglers based on year-end points standings will advance to the Kentucky Lake regional near Gilbertsville, Ky., Oct. 12-16, where they will compete against Choo Choo, Great Lakes and Hoosier division anglers for a slot in the 2005 All-American.