Top Bass Tournament Trail, held its 9 and final tournament of the 2026 season, on the Saginaw River/Limited Bay. The tournament went out of the Independence Bridge Launch, by the USS Edison. The event was named, “The Northwoods Wholesale Outlets – 2 Day Championship” in honor of our very great sponsor.
A special Thank You to our title sponsor – Northwoods Wholesale Outlet. For any of you who have yet to go into Northwoods, you need stop and check it out. They have all your fishing needs and more.
Congratulations to Billy Booth, from Midland, who squeaked out the win, with two strong day of limits, including the largest limit of the tournament at 18.62# on day one. Billy followed the day one limit with 14.33# on day two, giving him a total of 32.95# for the win. Close behind in Second Place was Nathan Troyanek, from New Boston. Nathan only had 4 fish the first day, but still weighed in 15.21#, which included Big Bass for day one, at 5.75#. On day two, Nathan had a limit the weighed 16.96#. It was the largest bag weighed in on day 2. It gave Nathan a total for the tournament of 32.17#, just .78# off the winning total. Third Place went to Mike Parsons, from Clare, with limits both day, and totaled 31.86#, which had the day 2 Big Bass for the day at 5.17#. Travis Vida, from Clare, matched Parsons total weight of 31.86#, but was edged out with the tie breaker, that being biggest bass, and had to settle for 4th Place. Firth Place went to Bret Holling from Prudenville with two limits for 30.72#
The 2026 ANGLER OF THE YEAR went to John Franko, from Clare. He came from behind to take the crown by just one point over Michael Sielinski, from Gladwin, who had a terrible day two, with only one bass. Their two point totals were – Franko 943 to Sielinski 942. This is by far, the closest race for Angler Of The Year that has happened in the 30 years of Top Bass. Congratulations to both of you, for making such a incredible race this year. You are BOTH amazing anglers, and Top Bass is so proud to have you both competing with them.
The 2026 BIGGEST BASS OF THE SEASON went to Steve Slackta, from Grand Blanc, as he boated a quality 6.0# largemouth, out of Houghton Lake, back on June 13th. Great job Steve!
View the complete results HERE
SPECIAL THANK YOU’S – To all our tournament title sponsors, D & R Sport Center, Frank’s Great Outdoors (2), EGO Fishing, Humminbird & Minn Kota, Jay’s Sporting Goods, Gold Eagle Products, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Northwoods Wholesale Outlet.
Thanks to ALL OUR OTHER GREAT SPONSORS, that help make Top Bass Tournament Trail, the Premier Bass fishing tournament series in Michigan.
Also Thank You to Our webmaster – Steve Slackta who posts all the results sent to him and pictures. To Tom Shoemaker Jr. & Elmer Daniels for setting up and running such great events. To Mark Reinke for his boat checks and help in general. Special Thank You to Mike Parsons, for being the major sponsor of our Angler Of The Year. And to ALL the many others who have helped over the season with take down, and whatever else was needed.
AND MOST OF ALL – To all The Great Anglers who continue to be loyal and fish the Top Bass Tournament Trail, year after year. THANKS!!!
FOR INFORMATION – CALL – ELMER DANIELS (517) 962-2345 or 517 513-9325 (cell) E-mail – topbass2@comcast.net
OR - TOM SHOEMAKER (989) 313-0700
We hope you have a safe & healthy winter season.
See you all in the Spring
Tom & Elmer
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