Al Smith
A pair of Lima area bassers who fish the Michigan Division of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) joined five other area bass anglers in qualifying for regional competition in October.
Wilson Burton of Findlay and Zach Maisch of Lima finished among the top 45 boaters in the Michigan Division to qualify for the Oct. 13-15 regional on the Mississippi River out of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Rockford’s Dick Shaffer qualified for the same regional by placing among the top 45 in the Hoosier Division. Shaffer along with Kyle Weisenburger of Columbus Grove and Bob Lane of Waynesfield and Jacob Alltop and Bryan Hofstetter, both from Lewistown, qualified out of the Buckeye Division. Those from the Buckeye Division qualified for the Oct. 20-22 James River Regional out of Richmond, Virginia. Although Maisch qualified, he will not be able to fish the regional.
“What an awesome four days. With only two days of practice I was able to get a top five finish,” Burton said. “Now it’s off to the regional in Lacrosse. I have some unfinished business to take care of.”
Burton finished fifth on the Detroit River last weekend with two good five-limit days. He was sixth after the first day with a weight of 22 pounds, 3 ounces and then moved to fifth the second day with a weight of 22 pounds, 14 ounces. His total weight was 25 pounds, 1 ounce. He would up 23rd in the points standings of the boater category.
Maisch failed to qualify for the second day after he caught four bass that weighed 11 pounds, 4 ounces that left him in 78th place. He did place 36th in the final points standings of the boater division.
Spencerville’s Matt Elkins likely would have also qualified for the regional, but he had a prior commitment last weekend and could not fish the tourney.
Two years ago at the Mississippi, Burton had a five-bass limit each day in the regional out of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and wound up second in the pro standings. Burton led the standings after the second day, but was edged out during the final day when only 12 anglers fished. He wound up with 15 bass that weighed 49 pounds, 4 ounces. Cade Laufenberg of Onalaska, Wisconsin, finished first with 15 fish that weighed 50 pounds, 1 ounce.
Shaffer also fished each day of the regional and wound up 10th.
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Major League Fishing has announced the schedule, rules, payouts and entry dates for the 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) presented by T-H Marine.
The complete 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League schedule, rules and payouts are online at MajorLeagueFishing.com. Anglers can register for the 2023 BFL season at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270-252-1000 beginning at 9 a.m. Dec. 8 for those fishing the Hoosier Division and Dec. 9 for those fishing the Buckeye and Michigan divisions.
Bass anglers in the Lima area fish in three divisions of the BFL – Buckeye, Hoosier and Michigan.
The Buckeye Division schedule is: May 13 – Ohio River-Tanners Creek, Lawrenceburg, Indiana; June 24 – Lake Erie, Sandusky; July 15 – Indian Lake, Lakeview; Aug. 5 – Ohio River, Maysville, Kentucky; Sept. 9-10 – Lake Erie, Sandusky.
The Hoosier Division schedule is April 22 – Lake Monroe, Bloomington, Indiana; May 20- Patoka Lake, Birdseye, Indiana; June 17 – Ohio River-Tanners Creek, Lawrenceburg, Indiana; July 8 – Ohio River-Rocky Point, Cannelton, Indiana; Aug. 26-27 – Ohio River-Tanners Creek, Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
The Michigan Division schedule is all on the Detroit River out of Trenton, Michigan, on July 8, July 22, Aug. 12, Aug. 26 and Sept. 23-24.
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Because some members have a conflict meeting on the second Tuesday of the month, the Allen County Fly Casters have decided to move their monthly meetings to the second Thursday of the month.
The Club will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Allen County Sportsmen and Farmers Association clubhouse, located at 1001 S. Kemp Road in Elida. Members will be working on fly tying fundamentals. Members are reminded to bring tying tools and any materials.
For more information, contact Brad Sherrick at [email protected] or call 419-233-6448.
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Beginning Sunday (Oct. 1), boat owners may apply for an online lottery to rent boat slips at Indian Lake State Park. The online lottery application period will end at 11:59 p.m. Oct. 31. Indian Lake is one of 17 parks that have lotteries.
Interested lottery participants are asked to submit a copy of their proof of watercraft ownership (title) and current registration. Applicants can sign up for more than one park, but only one application per household per park.
Those selected for the 2023 season will be entitled to renew their dock rental privileges for up to five years (renewable each spring).
To learn more about dock options at Indian Lake State Park, contact the local park office at 937-843-2717.
Read previous Al Smith outdoors columns
Al Smith is a freelance outdoors writer. You may contact him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @alsmithFL
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