SHOE'S TOP BASS
TOURNAMENT TRAIL
**Challenge 1**
June 28th, 2025 on Houghton Lake
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From L to R: Shawn Vernatter, Clint Joyner, Jamie Sochocki (and son), Steve Slackta
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Shoe’s Top Bass Tournament Trail, held their 4th tournament of the 2025 season, on Houghton Lake. The tournament went out of the west DNR ramp.
This event was named “The Frank’s Great Outdoors Challenge 1”, after one of our great sponsors.
This was a normal one day tournament, but there was an optional 2 Lake Challenge, which would use the weights from this tournament and the one on July 12, on Lake St. Helen to determine the winners.
The weather for the tournament started off cloudy, cool, and 10mph winds coming out of the WNW. The wind built up as the day went on, and was gusting over 20mph
The fishing was just OK, as we had just 23 limits come to the scales, and only 5 anglers who were not able to weigh-in even one fish. We also saw 9 bass over 4 pounds come to the scales.
Congratulations to Shawn Vernatter, from Attica, who had a limit that turned the scales at 17.43# to take the win. Following just behind in 2nd Place, was Clint Joyner, from Metamora with 17.17#. Jamie Sochocki, from Bridgeport held down 3rd Place with 16.61#. Fourth Place went to John Franko, from Clare with 16.22#. Big Bass for the tournament went to our Webmaster, Steve Slackta, from Grand Blanc, with a quality largemouth at 4.94#. We only had 1 bass, not make it back into the water, and that was the first dead fish in our first 4 tournaments. Great Job to all our quality anglers with this.
A Special “Thank You”, to Frank’s Great Outdoors, for being the title sponsor of this event, and also sponsor of the 2 Lake Challenge, which this was the first lake.
TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
Top 24 only
1. Shawn Vernatter, Attica 17.43#
2. Clint Joyner, Metamora 17.27#
3. Jamie Sochocki, Bridgeport 16.61#
4. John Franko, Clare 16.22#
5. Andy Maier, Midland 15.63#
6. Jack Ebach, Kingsley 14.27#
7. Jeff Yorks, Freeland 14.09#
8. Brian Anderson, Linwood 13.99#
9. Paul Affholder, Traverse City 13.97#
10. Nathan Troyanek, New Boston13.76#
11. Elmer Daniels, Jackson 13.31#
12. Tom Shoemaker, Pinconning 13.22#
13. Kevin Vida, Clare 12.84#
14. Justin Dankert, Saginaw 12.64#
15. Michael Sielinski, Gladwin 12.52#
16. Mark Reinke, Gladwin 11.99#
17. Kyle Kiger, Gladwin 11.48#
18. Bill Shermeta, Traverse City 11.40#
19. Jim Clevinger, Beaverton 10.43#
20. Keith Gyulveszi, Clare 10.20#
21. Peter Jones, Midland 10.12#
22. Steve Slackta, Grand Blanc 9.70#
23. Travis Vida, Clare 9.48#
24. Brendan Gyulveszi, Clare 9.46#
2025 Angler Of The Year Race
after 4 tournaments
(Angler Of The Year, is the person who totals the most points for all 9 tournaments)
John Franko 129 points
Michael Sielinski 121 Points
Jamie Sochocki 121 Points
LEADERS AFTER 1st lake (Houghton)
IN THE 2 LAKE CHALLENGE
John Franko – 16.22#
Andy Maier – 15.63#
Jack Ebach – 14.27#
Brian Anderson – 13.99#
Paul Affholder - 13.97#
Nathan Troyanekj -13.76#
NEXT TOURNAMENTS
July 12, 2025 Frank's Great Outdoors - *Challenge 2* - Lake St. Helen–St. Helen Ramp
July 19, 2025 The EGO Fishing and Yamaha Outboard Open - Missaukee Lake – Missaukee Co. Park Launch
For More Information
Call Elmer Daniels (517) 962-2345 email: topbass2@comcast.net
or Tom Shoemaker (989) 313-0700
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