Trenton, Mich. (Aug. 16, 2007) - Pro AC Campbell of Mineral Springs, Pa., caught a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 2 ounces Thursday to capture the lead in the $275,225 Stren Series Northern Division bass fishing tournament on the Detroit River. With a two-day catch of 10 bass weighing 40-4, he now holds an 11-ounce lead over second place pro Chip Harrison of Bremen, Ind., who managed to haul in a total of 10 bass weighing 39-10 during the first two days of competition. "The bite was really tough today," said Campbell. "The area I fished yesterday had several boats on it today. I fish Lake St. Clair because I believe I can catch a more consistent bag than on Lake Erie. I went to Lake Erie one day for practice, and I wasn't going back." Campbell caught his fish on t
ubes in 8 to 14 feet of water around scattered vegetation.
"I hope to catch some quality fish early Friday morning, if not I will have to go searching. Hopefully it works out." Rounding out the top five pros are Joe Balog of Harrison Township, Mich. (10 bass, 39-05); Mike Trombly of Perrysburg, Ohio (10 bass, 39-03); and David Hasty of Toledo, Ohio (10 bass, 38-05).
Todd Steele of Port Huron, Mich., earned $285 for the Snickers Big Bass award in the Pro Division thanks to a 6-pound, 2-ounce bass.
The weather forecast for Friday calls for mainly sunny skies with a high of 79 degrees and winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour. Overall there were 734 bass weighing 2,116 pounds, 2 ounces caught by 176 pros Thursday. The catch included 112 five-bass limits.
Renee Hensley of Edwardsburg, Mich., leads the Co-angler Division in the chase for a top award of $35,000, including a 519VX Ranger if contingency guidelines are met. She caught five bass weighing 17-11 while fishing with pro Rob Genter of Tidioute, Pa., Wednesday and five bass weighing 18-12 while fishing with pro Frank Novock of Rockwood, Mich., Thursday for a total of 10 bass weighing 36-07.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Robert Case of Point, Texas (10 bass, 35-00); Doug Caldwell of Kane, Pa. (10 bass, 34-06); Jeffery Cox of Saling, Mich. (10 bass, 33-10); and Paul Mueller of Southbury, Conn. (10 bass, 33-02).
John Shultz of Trucksville, Pa., earned $144 for the Snickers Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division thanks to a 6-pound, 5-ounce bass.
Overall there were 634 bass weighing 1,749 pounds, 10 ounces caught by 170 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included 83 five-bass limits.