Michigan BASS Nation State Championship Winner 2016

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Athens resident Schwark secures dream as Michigan's State Champion of Bass Fishing

Athens, Michigan resident Jesse D. Schwark, an iron worker who has lived in the community all his life, has been on a personal quest for several decades to become the best bass fishermen he could possibly be. He was born in the small town in 1960. His love of fishing started at the young age of 10 years old, when he would ride his horse or bike to every bluegill fishing hole he could get to.

In 1989 at 29 years old Jesse's fishing passion took a change of course when he began fishing in his first competitive bass tournaments. He began competing in the Tri-State Bass tournaments presented by area promoter Phil Smathers. These tournaments brought the best fishermen from the Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio areas together for some outstanding competition. He and his partner were not very successful, regularly donating their entry fees to more experienced fishermen. With practice, determination, and a natural insight learned from his early years fishing, he persisted.

He continued fishing competitive bass tournaments with the Lake Drive Marina tournaments hosted out of Coldwater, Michigan. This group again gathered the tri-states best fishermen and Jesse began to gain experience and an ability to compete successfully at a higher level of bass fishing.

But Jesse had a dream to not compete, but to be the best fishermen in the area. Along with the support of his best friends, Steve Roberts of Sherwood, MI, and Tim Gillies of Union City, MI, he began to increase his knowledge of bass fishing and his confidence. He joined the Calhoun County Bass fishing club to compete in B.A.S.S. sanctioned events that could take him to the highest level of bass fishing in the nation.

Bass fishing members in this club compete in local events, but also in state championship events that lead to regional championships with 19 other states, and then hopefully to national championship events and even to the BASS MASTERS CLASSIC. Along with their bass fishing quest, they also perform many charity events such as the Athens Homecoming event where the club every year gives away dozen of bikes to area youth. They also hold a Take-a-kid fishing event to take area youth in a fishing tournament where the kids get to ride in bass boats with the latest equipment with a seasoned tournament to guide them.

Competing in 2014, Jesse battled against about 145 of Michigan's best anglers on Lake St. Clair in a two day event with the goal to become State Champion. Jesse led the event after day one, but fell to third place after day two. He had a great tournament and was able to qualify to fish in northern Minnesota against anglers from many states, but his dream to be State Champion had eluded him. Jesse pressed on, and in 2016 the tournament went back to Lake St. Clair.

Jesse told his friends and peers that this year; he was going to close the deal. Jesse followed through. Jesse led after day one with over 24 pounds for his five smallmouth bass, and closed the deal with over 19 pounds on day two. His total of over 43 pounds of bass outdistanced everyone and he became the 2016 Michigan B.A.S.S. State Champion, securing the dream he has held over many decades.

Jesse is now charged with being the team captain for the Michigan team as they go to Kentucky Lake in April of 2017 for the chance to qualify for the National Championships, and hopefully a chance at the BASS Masters Classic, the most prestigious fishing tournament in the world.

By Bob Kowal, Michigan B.A.S.S. Nation