TRENTON, Mich. (Sept. 6, 2006) - Pro Dick Shaffer of Rockford, Ohio, caught a five-bass limit weighing 25 pounds to lead day one of the Stren Series Midwest Division bass fishing tournament on the Detroit River.
"It was a great day," said Shaffer. "We had about 2-foot waves all day, and that was excellent because you could still move around and try several different spots. If the weather stays like this, I will probably run 60 to 100 miles trying all my different spots. Coming back in today, I had some problems with my lower unit and the support trailer staff did an excellent job and got me going again, it sure pays to run a sponsor's product."
Shaffer was drop-shotting gobies around offshore structure in 16 to 25 feet of water in Lake Erie about 60 miles from the launch site.
Rounding out the top five pros are Kevin Snider of Elizabethtown, Ky. (five bass, 24 pounds, 13 ounces); Chad Morgenthaler of Coulterville, Ill. (five bass, 23 pounds, 4 ounces); and John Devries of Fishers, Ind., tied for fifth with Gain Pro Vic Vatalaro of Kent, Ohio (five bass, 21 pounds, 14 ounces).
Robert Sherry of Saint Charles, Ill., and Chuck Willis of Dayton, Ohio, tied for the Big Bass award in the Pro Division thanks to a 5-pound, 11-ounce bass earning them each $212.50.
Charles Hasty of Toledo, Ohio, leads the Co-angler Division in the chase for a top award worth as much as $35,000, including a 519VX Ranger if contingency guidelines are met. He caught five bass weighing 24 pounds, 7 ounces while fishing with pro Kevin Snider who is currently in 2nd place
"Today was excellent," said Hasty. "I caught some good fish and had an excellent partner. He was on some fish and knew what he was doing. I got another good draw tomorrow and I'm looking forward to getting back out there.
Hasty was throwing a combination of drop-shot gobies and tubes around humps and other offshore structure in 18 to 20 feet of water on Lake Erie.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are James Richardson Sr. of Harrison, Ohio (five bass, 22 pounds, 14 ounces); Eric Ling of Pittsboro, Ind. (five bass, 21 pounds, 14 ounces); Ron Fabiszak of South Bend, Ind. (five bass, 20 pounds, 13 ounces); and Dick Parker of Amherst, Ohio (five bass, 20 pounds, 8 ounces).
Dave Knutstrom of Stronghurst, Ill., earned $185 for the Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division thanks to a 5-pound, 15-ounce bass.
Anglers will take off at 7 each morning from Elizabeth Park located at 200 Grosse Isle Parkway in Trenton, Mich. Thursday's weigh-in will be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday's weigh-ins will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 23800 Allen Road in Woodhaven, Mich. beginning at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.