2012 Grand River Opens

[Esox lucius]

2012 Grand River Opens

144th St. Ramp (Stearns Bayou), Grand Haven, MI

– NO MEMBERSHIP FEE -

$40 Team Entry Fee
$20 Individual Entry Fee

100% Payback

May 27th (6AM-2PM)
June 3rd (6AM-2PM)
June 10th (6AM-2PM)
June 24th (6AM-2PM)
July 1st (6AM-2PM)
July 22nd (6AM-2PM)
July 29th (6AM-2PM)
August 5th (7AM-2PM)
August 19th (7AM-2PM)
August 26th (7AM-2PM)
September 2nd (7AM-2PM)
September 16th (7AM-2PM)

Plaques awarded to the heaviest weight total for the year.
Plaques awarded to the winners of each tournament.

Fish one, some or all.

Payout Chart for 2012 Open Bass Tournaments

Boats     1st        2nd        3rd        4th        Big Bass
1           $30                                               $10
2           $60                                               $20
3           $90                                               $30
4           $120                                              $40
5           $150                                              $50
6           $120      $60                                   $60
7           $140      $70                                   $70
8           $160      $80                                   $80
9           $180      $90                                   $90
10          $200      $100                                 $100
11          $180      $90        $60                      $110
12          $190      $100       $70                     $120
13          $200      $110       $80                     $130
14          $210      $120       $90                     $140
15          $220      $130       $100                    $150
16          $220      $120       $100      $40         $160
17          $230      $130       $110      $40         $170
18          $240      $140       $120      $40         $180
19          $250      $150       $130      $40         $190
20          $260      $160       $140      $40         $200

[Esox lucius]

We are only going to use best ten of twelve weights for the Heavyweight Title.  Using ten events for the title will allow guys to miss a couple events and still keep the Heavyweight Title race competitive.  It went down to the last tournament last year and Brian and Pat pretty much just gave it to John and Jayson. 

[OptiMax115]

We are only going to use best ten of twelve weights for the Heavyweight Title.  Using ten events for the title will allow guys to miss a couple events and still keep the Heavyweight Title race competitive.  It went down to the last tournament last year and Brian and Pat pretty much just gave it to John and Jayson.  

Those guys didn't give it to us, we took it from them!

[Esox lucius]

If I remember right they were in 1st going into the last week.  They ended up in 4th behind J&J, J&K and J&R.  They won the 'Most Times Falling Out of the Boat Trophy' though.

[32eml24]

I can count on 2 hands the number of times I've fished the Grand, but I will be trying a few of these.  Black/teal skeeter and black F150, come introduce yourself!  About how many pounds does it take to win one of these?  I've only been able to find cookie cutter 14 inchers but I like that these are opens and seem to be more of an entry level tournament.  Ethan

[kgr624]

It is a great time, layed back ( depending on who shows up ) and great anglers. Some of these guys can really catch em on the river. Nice to see what can come out of the river. Makes me want to keep going back. Saw a 16 lb sack, 14 lb sacks, lots of 13lb sacks.

[Braidman]

Ethan,
Come on out, and join us when you can, we have a great group of guys that are very friendly but, competitive at the same time. If you are new to the river this would be a great way to get some good insight on the best ways to fish it, most of the guys are very helpful with helping other anglers catch fish. You need to be on your A-Game though we have some veteran local River Rats that are good sticks and always seem to manage to bring in a nice bag. You can't beat the payouts for a $20 or $40 entry fee, and Ken made some really awesome plaques for us this year.

[chrisvmo]

I think I will make the opener. How many boats do you think will be out on the 27th?

[Braidman]

Just a guess 10-14

[32eml24]

Fished the Grand today and still couldn't find any size.  Becoming nervous that with this warm weather we might have a post-spawn toughy on our hands!  Tried Spring Lake as well but there were about 100 boats out there and I don't really care for the way it fishes.  Caught a lot of short fish, best 5 went about 8 pounds, and caught a lot of sun!

[Esox lucius]

Looking at last year's results, 12.24 pounds won the first tournament.  Big bass was 3.81. The over under on the number of boats for Sunday is set at 12.  It is going to be a hot humid day with 15mph winds out of the south.  Should be a perfect day for a tournament.  I tried to attach a picture of the weekly plaques to this post unsuccessfully. We will have them to give to the winning team.  See you guys out there.

[Jmeis]

Esox, Thank you I fished with you guys for the first time today and brought my nephew Wyatt for his first tournament, we were fortunate enough to have a very good day and win. Very well organized relaxed and fun it was an awesome day for us see you soon.
Jerry

[32eml24]

I'd like to second the fun, organized, relaxed. Thanks a lot.  Tough day for us but a learning experience and an awesome way to spend the day! I will be working out of town next Sunday but you can plan on me for the next one after that.  Jerry, nice fish by the way.
Ethan

[Braidman]

Guys,
Thanks a bunch for the positive feedback, Esox and myself really appreciate it. It was great to see our regular bunch back, and it was really great to meet all the new faces that came out and fished with us for the first time. Jerry it was awesome to see you and Wyatt come out and put a good "whippin" on us river rats, great bag yesterday. See you Sunday!

[Braidman]

05/27/12 Results
15 Boats Total
3- Individual
12-Teams

1st- Jerry & Wyatt  11.89lbs. Great job guys!
2nd- John & Jay 11.39lbs. In the money again..........
3rd- Matt & Kim  10.30lbs.  Thanks for bringing the plaques. Did Kim catch most of the fish?
BB- John & Jay 3.01lbs. Don't you guys get tired of winning money?
See You Sunday.........

[OptiMax115]

I'll never get tired of the money! The money is always nice, but not the reason we fish. I've been fishing with you for 4-5 years now and it's the most fun and layed back format I've fished, great group of guys too!

See you all Sunday,

[Braidman]

6/3/12
12 Boats

1st- Chris/Huie    13.69lbs.
2nd- Jimmy/Kevin   13.32lbs.
3rd- Trevor/Jesse  11.30lbs
BB-Chris/Huie  3.93lbs.

Thanks everyone for another great turnout!
See you next Sunday!

[32eml24]

NICE BAGS!  Limits like that were not coming out of bayous!  Good to know there are some good fish living in that river.  See everyone Sunday!  Ethan

[Braidman]

Sounds like we are going to have some new faces come out and fish with us this Sunday, should be another great turnout.
See Ya Sunday!

[Braidman]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
06/10/12
18-Boats
2-Individuals
16-Teams

1st- Arin***********   16.94lbs Way to go Arin!-two fish 0ver 4lbs. 
2nd- Dustin/Mark********    15.76lbs. Another monster bag.
3rd- Jory/Chad********** 13.07lbs. Nice bag guys!
4th-  Jimmy/Kevin*********  11.37lbs. We'll take it.
BB- Dustin/Mark***********  6.13lbs.  That's right 6.13lbs. Incredible!

Thanks everyone for our best turnout! See you on the 24th. 06/24/12