Top Bass Tournament Trail - Saginaw Bay 8-26, 8-27

SHOE'S TOP BASS

TOURNAMENT TRAIL

The Northwoods Wholesale Outlet 2 Day CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT

August 26th & 27th 2023 on

Saginaw River/Bay

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Shoe’s Top Bass Tournament Trail held its 9th and final tournament of the 2023 season on the Saginaw River/ limited Bay on Aug 26th and Aug 27th. The 2 day tournament launched out of the Independence Bridge launch, by the USS Edison. The weather on Saturday, was a mix of sun & clouds, and temp in the 70’’s. The winds were blowing at 12-16mph & gusts of 30mph. Then on Sunday, it was Sunny temps in the 70”s and winds 8-12mph with gusts at 16-18mph.

The fishing was rather tough, as the area had received some heavy rain a couple days earlier, and the river was very muddy looking. With the wind and muddy water color, it was rough fishing. We had only 51 limits come to the scales in total for the 2 days. There were 309 bass weighed in, and we had a 100% live release. Great Job to all for keeping your catch alive.

Congratulations to Nathan Derdowski, from Midland, who had 16.31# & 15.58# for a 2 day total of 31.89#, to capture his first win with Top Bass. Second Place, when to Keith Gyulveszi, from Clare, who totaled 30.76#. Keith had the largest bag on day 2 with 17.19#, which also contained Big Bass for Day 2 at 4.18#. Hayden Gosen, from Davison worked his way into 3rd Place with 28.36#. Fourth Place went to John Franko, from Clare, with 28.00#. Kevin Vida held down 5th Place with 24.62#. Peter Jones was not far behind with 24.02# for 6th Place. Rob Ruckman from Freeland had Day 1 Big Bass with 4.48#, which was also the biggest bass weighed in for the Championship.

The 2023 ANGLER OF THE YEAR went to John Franko, from Clare. He held off both last years winner, Billy Booth, and also Jeff Plutt, who were all in the running going into Day 2. Angler Of The Year goes to the angler who weighs in the most total weight for all 9 tournaments. John had 147.44#.

Congratulations John on a job well done, and to the others who gave him a good fight for the award.

The 2023 BIGGEST BASS OF THE SEASON went to Keith Gyulveszi, from Clare with 5.14#. Great Job Keith! This must have been your year for Big Bass awards, winning 2 others this season.

A special Thank You to Northwoods Wholesale Outlet , for being the title sponsor of this event.

Elmer Daniels and Tom Shoemaker

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Top 24 only

Nathan Derdowski, Midland 31.89#
Keith Gyulveszi, Clare 30.76#
Hayden Gosen, Davison 28.36#
John Franko, Clare 28.00#
Kevin Vida, Clare 24.62#
Peter Jones, Midland 24.02#
Ron Conner, Oxford 23.41#
Jamie Sochocki, Bridgeport 20.85#
Brendon Gyulveszi, Clare 20.76#
Morris Collins, West Bloomfield 20.76#
Mark Reinke, Gladwin 20.52#
Andy Maier, Midland 19.55#
Danny Glass, Flint 19.43#
Rob Ruckman, Freeland 19.23#
Billy Booth, Midland 18.64#
Bob Wingate, Lake 18.55#
Jim Clevinger, Beaverton 18.03#
Bob Hitchock, Clare 18.00#
Dave Newcomb, Sanford 17.58#
Bill Hurley, Waterford 17.28#
Andrew Blust, East Tawas 16.26#
Bob Wozniak, Pinconning 16.18#
Brandt Wisniewski, Bay City 14.81#
Mike Sielinski, Gladwin 13.68#

2023 Angler Of The Year John Franko with Billy Booth and Grizz

The BIG BASS FOR THE SEASON winner is Keith Gyulveszi with 5.14# from the opening day tournament, on the Saginaw River/Bay.

Nice turn-out for the Championship weigh in!

SPECIAL THANK YOU’S – To all our tournament title sponsors Mercury Marine, D & R Sport Center, Frank’s Great Outdoors (2), EGO Fishing, Humminird & Minn Kota, Gold Eagle Products, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Northwoods Wholesale Outlet.

Thanks to ALL OUR OTHER GREAT SPONSORS, that help make Shoe’s 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 Tom Shoemaker Sr. for his boat checks, blast off, and help in general. And to ALL the many others who have helped over the season with take down, and whatever else was needed.

AND TO MOST OF ALL – To all The Great Anglers who continue to be loyal and fish the Shoe’s Top Bass Tournament Trail, year after year. THANKS!!!

FOR INFORMATION – CALL – ELMER DANIELS (517) 962-2345 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