Photo Craig Lamb/B.A.S.S.
Gary Adkins of Wisconsin is the winner of the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Divisional on Lake Vermilion. He won the tournament by using his local knowledge even though it was on unfamiliar tournament water it paid off big times for him.
The Green Bay angler caught 48 pounds, 4 ounces, after three days of fishing under a variety of weather conditions. Minnesota’s Corey Brant, the leader after two days and presumed favorite to win, finished second with 45-15. Illinois angler Ryan Whitacre earned third place with 43-2.
All three anglers and the overall leaders from the eight Midwestern states participating in the tournament advance to the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. The event is bass club fishing’s premier event, with an international field of anglers competing in October on the Ouachita River in Louisiana.
Adkins found striking similarities between his home water of Lake Michigan and the northern Minnesota tournament fishery. What he found is a combination of gravel bottom mixed with the large boulders that form most of the smallmouth habitat.
“The gravel bottom was a standout feature,” said Adkins, a five-time divisional qualifier. “It’s what I look for in Green Bay when fishing for smallmouth.”
Adkins keyed on one particular rock and gravel formation rising from 30 to 15 feet off the bottom. The sharply defined dropoff was a wise choice after a cold front pushed through the area on Wednesday.
“My other areas in shallower water didn’t produce because the fish had to move way out to find deeper water,” he added. “Finding them again would have been tough, as it was I am sure for some of the other guys.”
Adkins chose a green/pumpkin pattern Get Bit Slender Tube inserted into a 5/16-ounce jighead for fishing the sloping contours of the gravel bottom. The key attractant was crawfish being fed upon by the smallmouth.
Later in the day he moved to a rocky shoreline offering yet another similarity to his home water. Most shorelines on Lake Vermilion feature sharp drops into deep water. Instead, Adkins chose a gently sloping shoreline that created warmer water.
“The afternoon sunshine warmed the rocks and that attracted the crawfish,” he said. “It’s the same type of bottom I fish back home.”
Adkins chose a square billed PH Custom Crankbait that matched the size and action of the crawfish for the afternoon bite.
Each day began on the gravel side of the rocky shoal. Later in the day, he moved to the shoreline to fill his limit.
Advancing to the national championship are these remaining state winners. They are Greg Vance (Iowa); Daniel Brown (Illinois); Dave Watson (Indiana); Jeff Fischer (Michigan); Nick Leonard (Ohio).
Minnesota won its third consecutive state title with a total weight of 456 pounds, 11 ounces. Wisconsin was second with 401-11 and Illinois placed third with 372-04. Ohio took fourth place with 336-12 and Indiana was fifth with 318-12. South Dakota earned sixth place with 310-12 and Michigan was seventh with 295-10. Iowa finished eighth with 286-12.
Minnesota’s overall score received a huge boost from its team competing in the B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Division High School Divisional. Mason Raveling and Ben Provost weighed 34-8 to also take first place in the high school contest. The anglers are from Prior Lake High School.
Minnesota received a Triton boat, powered by a Yamaha outboard and rigged with accessories. The package is valued at $37, 292.
Corey Brant earned the $250 Livingston Lures Leader Award as Day 2 leader.
Andy Hriber received the $500 A.R.E. Award as highest placing angler using the brand’s truck caps.
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Old Milwaukee
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, GoPro, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Accessories, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Huk, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Nationwide, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series presented by Allstate, Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Divisional 8/26-8/28
Lake Vermilion, Tower MN.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Gary Adkins Green Bay, WI (WI) 15 48-04 0
2. Corey Brant Minnetonka, MN (MN) 15 45-15 0
3. Ryan Whitacre Chicago, IL (WI) 15 43-02 0
4. Ted Heitschmidt Tomahawk, WI (WI) 15 41-12 0
5. Daniel Brown Joliet, IL (IL) 15 41-05 0
6. Andy Hriber Lakeville, MN (MN) 15 41-05 0
7. Jami Fralick Martin, SD (SD) 15 41-00 0
8. Korey Bushman Eden Prairie, MN (MN) 15 39-06 0
9. Brad Ballard Winona, MN (MN) 15 38-10 0
10. Jim Barczak Osceola, WI (WI) 15 38-08 0
11. Nathan Steinbauer Edina, MN (MN) 14 38-05 0
12. Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH (OH) 15 38-03 0
13. Brian Bengtson Bloomington, MN (MN) 15 38-03 0
14. Scott Bonnema Zimmerman, MN (MN) 15 38-00 0
15. Jeff Fischer Farmington, MI (MI) 15 37-07 0
16. Jeff Bostic Cassopolis, MI (MI) 13 37-05 0
17. Paul Amstutz Gambler, OH (OH) 14 37-03 0
18. Greg Vance Dubuque, IA (IA) 14 35-08 0
19. Levi Warner Shiocton, WI (WI) 13 35-04 0
20. Tadd Johnson Lakeview, MN (MN) 15 35-03 0
21. MN HS – Provost / Raveling Jordan, MN (MN) 10 34-08 0
22. Cliff Van Beek Canistota, SD (SD) 12 34-06 0
23. Nate Brown Muscatine, IA (IA) 14 34-04 0
24. Dave Watson Sullivan, IN (IN) 15 34-01 0
25. Brandon Osting Delphos, OH (OH) 15 33-11 0
26. Joe Pruss Springfield, SD (SD) 10 32-15 0
27. Dave Hedge Greenfield, IN (IN) 15 32-14 0
28. Curt Samo Rochelle, IL (IL) 15 32-11 0
29. Carl Spande Mounds View, MN (MN) 12 32-09 0
30. Brian Saari Madison, WI (WI) 13 32-00 0
31. Mike Pappas Lagrange, IL (IL) 13 31-14 0
32. Bryan Corley Des Moines, IA (IA) 13 31-13 0
33. Corey Peterson Yankton, SD (SD) 12 31-12 0
34. Tom Ondras Jourt, IL (IL) 11 31-11 0
35. Vaughn Capasso MARENGO, IL (IL) 15 31-11 0
36. Scott Cremeans Albany, OH (OH) 15 31-02 0
37. Nathan Ranallo La Crosse, WI (WI) 11 30-08 0
38. Richard Lindgren Lakeville, MN (MN) 13 30-04 0
39. Wes Thomas Hanover, IN (IN) 15 30-03 0
40. Richard Hladky Yankton, SD (SD) 12 29-15 0
41. Rob Melendez Frankfort, IL (IL) 15 29-10 0
42. Joseph Sestak Tabor, SD (SD) 15 29-09 0
43. Matt Fischer Farmington, MI (MI) 14 29-08 0
44. Dave Schneider Indianapolis, IN (IN) 13 29-05 0
45. Zach Grounds Fortvilla, IN (IN) 12 29-02 0
46. Kevin Imer Marengo, OH (OH) 14 28-11 0
47. Chris Wilkinson Farmersburg, IN (IN) 15 28-08 0
48. Walter Hart Washington Court House, 14 28-08 0
49. Michael Nesbitt St. Paris, OH (OH) 13 28-07 0
50. Eric Zoromski Lena, WI (WI) 15 28-07 0
51. Miqell Dawson Detroit, MI (MI) 9 28-04 0
52. Brad Norris Hudson, IL (IL) 15 27-14 0
53. David Junk Quincy, IL (IL) 13 26-08 0
54. Dave Thompson Washington, IL (IL) 13 26-02 0
55. Chip Goy Genoa City, WI (WI) 12 25-10 0
56. Mark Borchers Akron, IA (IA) 13 25-10 0
57. Tim Maupin Lawrenceburg, IN (IN) 12 25-06 0
58. Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, MI (IN) 11 25-00 0
59. IL HS – Zobel / Cook Joliet, IL (IL) 10 25-00 0
60. Raul Gonzalez Schrumburg, IL (IL) 12 25-00 0
61. Phil Rummel Mount Vernon, OH (OH) 11 24-13 0
62. Mark Peterson Orland Park, IL (IL) 13 24-09 0
63. Aaron Daeges Carver, MN (MN) 12 24-06 0
64. Kyle Jump Farmington Hills, MI (M 12 24-06 0
65. Marvin Parton Kokomo, IN (IN) 11 24-02 0
66. WI HS – Lindus / Haney Baldwin, WI (WI) 10 23-09 0
67. Chris Calkins Marshalltown, IA (IA) 11 23-07 0
68. Jesse Schwark Athens, MI (MI) 13 23-02 0
69. OH HS – Kovatch / Pritsel Westerville, OH (OH) 10 23-00 0
70. Adam Hladky Volin, SD (SD) 11 21-14 0
71. Steven Houdek Calmar, IA (IA) 11 21-04 0
72. Austin Brimeyer Dubuque, IA (IA) 11 20-15 0
73. Kyler Chelminiak Franklin, WI (WI) 10 20-03 0
74. Guy Knudson Zimmerman, MN (MN) 13 20-01 0
75. Brian Searcy Muscatine, IA (IA) 10 19-14 0
76. John Ling IV Climax, MI (MI) 11 19-11 0
77. IN HS – Miller / Stafford Bloomington, IN (IN) 9 19-10 0
78. Landon Moore Marion, IA (IA) 10 19-08 0
79. James Haas Yankton, SD (SD) 9 19-07 0
80. Terry Hall Grove City, OH (OH) 9 19-02 0
81. MI HS – Bombrowski / Hatton South Lyon, MI (MI) 10 18-12 0
82. Bryan Freyermuth Muscatine, IA (IA) 8 18-12 0
83. Jarrod Sherwood Vassar, MI (MI) 9 18-11 0
84. Mark Emenecker Matton, IL (IL) 10 18-05 0
85. Kevin Fassbind Cottage Grove, WI (WI) 7 18-03 0
86. Bob Slama Harrisburg, SD (SD) 10 18-03 0
87. Allen Wennerberg Waterford, MI (MI) 8 17-12 0
88. Brian Vogelsang Zanes Field, OH (OH) 9 17-11 0
89. Trevor Kettles Waukee, IA (IA) 8 17-09 0
90. Chad Starrett Shirley, IN (IN) 9 17-08 0
91. Tucker Peschl Tyndall, SD (SD) 10 16-07 0
92. Chad Kurowski New Franken, WI (WI) 8 16-05 0
93. Kirk Simpson Waterford, MI (MI) 8 15-14 0
94. Mel Williams Winner, SD (SD) 8 14-10 0
95. Edward Schiller Wixom, MI (MI) 9 14-02 0
96. Robert Doughty Columbus, OH (OH) 6 14-02 0
97. Eric Hardesty Nineveh, IN (IN) 8 14-00 0
98. SD HS – Swanson / Hutmacher Oacoma, SD (SD) 8 13-06 0
99. Scott Metzger Springfield, OH (OH) 6 12-03 0
100. Bob Kowal Sparta, MI (MI) 6 10-12 0
101. IA HS – Minton / Hamdorf Lowden, IA (IA) 7 10-08 0
102. Shon Nelson Elberfield, IN (IN) 4 09-01 0
103. Orlando Rundle Monticello, IA (IA) 5 07-12 0
104. Timothy Peterson Springfield, SD (SD) 4 07-04 0
———————————————————————–
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 38 319 677-09
2 74 456 1045-14
3 73 441 1055-13
———————————-
185 1216 2779-04
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
———————————-
State Lbs-Oz
1 MINNESOTA 456-11
2 WISCONSIN 401-11
3 ILLINOIS 372-04
4 OHIO 336-12
5 INDIANA 318-12
6 SOUTH DAKOTA 310-12
7 MICHIGAN 295-10
8 IOWA 286-12
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
———————————————————————–
IOWA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Greg Vance Dubuque, IA 14 35-08 0
2 Nate Brown Muscatine, IA 14 34-04 0
3 Bryan Corley Des Moines, IA 13 31-13 0
4 Mark Borchers Akron, IA 13 25-10 0
5 Chris Calkins Marshalltown, IA 11 23-07 0
6 Steven Houdek Calmar, IA 11 21-04 0
7 Austin Brimeyer Dubuque, IA 11 20-15 0
8 Brian Searcy Muscatine, IA 10 19-14 0
9 Landon Moore Marion, IA 10 19-08 0
10 Bryan Freyermuth Muscatine, IA 8 18-12 0
11 Trevor Kettles Waukee, IA 8 17-09 0
12 IA HS – Minton / Hamdorf Lowden, IA 7 10-08 0
13 Orlando Rundle Monticello, IA 5 07-12 0
ILLINOIS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Daniel Brown Joliet, IL 15 41-05 0
2 Curt Samo Rochelle, IL 15 32-11 0
3 Mike Pappas Lagrange, IL 13 31-14 0
4 Tom Ondras Jourt, IL 11 31-11 0
5 Vaughn Capasso MARENGO, IL 15 31-11 0
6 Rob Melendez Frankfort, IL 15 29-10 0
7 Brad Norris Hudson, IL 15 27-14 0
8 David Junk Quincy, IL 13 26-08 0
9 Dave Thompson Washington, IL 13 26-02 0
10 IL HS – Zobel / Cook Joliet, IL 10 25-00 0
11 Raul Gonzalez Schrumburg, IL 12 25-00 0
12 Mark Peterson Orland Park, IL 13 24-09 0
13 Mark Emenecker Matton, IL 10 18-05 0
INDIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Dave Watson Sullivan, IN 15 34-01 0
2 Dave Hedge Greenfield, IN 15 32-14 0
3 Wes Thomas Hanover, IN 15 30-03 0
4 Dave Schneider Indianapolis, IN 13 29-05 0
5 Zach Grounds Fortvilla, IN 12 29-02 0
6 Chris Wilkinson Farmersburg, IN 15 28-08 0
7 Tim Maupin Lawrenceburg, IN 12 25-06 0
8 Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, MI 11 25-00 0
9 Marvin Parton Kokomo, IN 11 24-02 0
10 IN HS – Miller / Stafford Bloomington, IN 9 19-10 0
11 Chad Starrett Shirley, IN 9 17-08 0
12 Eric Hardesty Nineveh, IN 8 14-00 0
13 Shon Nelson Elberfield, IN 4 09-01 0
MICHIGAN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jeff Fischer Farmington, MI 15 37-07 0
2 Jeff Bostic Cassopolis, MI 13 37-05 0
3 Matt Fischer Farmington, MI 14 29-08 0
4 Miqell Dawson Detroit, MI 9 28-04 0
5 Kyle Jump Farmington Hills, MI 12 24-06 0
6 Jesse Schwark Athens, MI 13 23-02 0
7 John Ling IV Climax, MI 11 19-11 0
8 MI HS – Bombrowski / Hatton South Lyon, MI 10 18-12 0
9 Jarrod Sherwood Vassar, MI 9 18-11 0
10 Allen Wennerberg Waterford, MI 8 17-12 0
11 Kirk Simpson Waterford, MI 8 15-14 0
12 Edward Schiller Wixom, MI 9 14-02 0
13 Bob Kowal Sparta, MI 6 10-12 0
MINNESOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Corey Brant Minnetonka, MN 15 45-15 0
2 Andy Hriber Lakeville, MN 15 41-05 0
3 Korey Bushman Eden Prairie, MN 15 39-06 0
4 Brad Ballard Winona, MN 15 38-10 0
5 Nathan Steinbauer Edina, MN 14 38-05 0
6 Brian Bengtson Bloomington, MN 15 38-03 0
7 Scott Bonnema Zimmerman, MN 15 38-00 0
8 Tadd Johnson Lakeview, MN 15 35-03 0
9 MN HS – Provost / Raveling Jordan, MN 10 34-08 0
10 Carl Spande Mounds View, MN 12 32-09 0
11 Richard Lindgren Lakeville, MN 13 30-04 0
12 Aaron Daeges Carver, MN 12 24-06 0
13 Guy Knudson Zimmerman, MN 13 20-01 0
OHIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH 15 38-03 0
2 Paul Amstutz Gambler, OH 14 37-03 0
3 Brandon Osting Delphos, OH 15 33-11 0
4 Scott Cremeans Albany, OH 15 31-02 0
5 Kevin Imer Marengo, OH 14 28-11 0
6 Walter Hart Washington Court House, 14 28-08 0
7 Michael Nesbitt St. Paris, OH 13 28-07 0
8 Phil Rummel Mount Vernon, OH 11 24-13 0
9 OH HS – Kovatch / Pritsel Westerville, OH 10 23-00 0
10 Terry Hall Grove City, OH 9 19-02 0
11 Brian Vogelsang Zanes Field, OH 9 17-11 0
12 Robert Doughty Columbus, OH 6 14-02 0
13 Scott Metzger Springfield, OH 6 12-03 0
SOUTH DAKOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jami Fralick Martin, SD 15 41-00 0
2 Cliff Van Beek Canistota, SD 12 34-06 0
3 Joe Pruss Springfield, SD 10 32-15 0
4 Corey Peterson Yankton, SD 12 31-12 0
5 Richard Hladky Yankton, SD 12 29-15 0
6 Joseph Sestak Tabor, SD 15 29-09 0
7 Adam Hladky Volin, SD 11 21-14 0
8 James Haas Yankton, SD 9 19-07 0
9 Bob Slama Harrisburg, SD 10 18-03 0
10 Tucker Peschl Tyndall, SD 10 16-07 0
11 Mel Williams Winner, SD 8 14-10 0
12 SD HS – Swanson / Hutmacher Oacoma, SD 8 13-06 0
13 Timothy Peterson Springfield, SD 4 07-04 0
WISCONSIN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Gary Adkins Green Bay, WI 15 48-04 0
2 Ryan Whitacre Chicago, IL 15 43-02 0
3 Ted Heitschmidt Tomahawk, WI 15 41-12 0
4 Jim Barczak Osceola, WI 15 38-08 0
5 Levi Warner Shiocton, WI 13 35-04 0
6 Brian Saari Madison, WI 13 32-00 0
7 Nathan Ranallo La Crosse, WI 11 30-08 0
8 Eric Zoromski Lena, WI 15 28-07 0
9 Chip Goy Genoa City, WI 12 25-10 0
10 WI HS – Lindus / Haney Baldwin, WI 10 23-09 0
11 Kyler Chelminiak Franklin, WI 10 20-03 0
12 Kevin Fassbind Cottage Grove, WI 7 18-03 0
13 Chad Kurowski New Franken, WI 8 16-05 0