MUSKEGON, Mich. — The Michigan B.A.S.S. Nation celebrated a milestone by hosting its 45th state championship Sept. 15-16, 2017, at Muskegon Lake.
The Michigan Nation claims the state championship is one of the state’s most prestigious and longest running bass tournaments. Nation anglers from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Northern Ontario competed in the 2017 championship to qualify for the 2018 B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional.
Sixty-five boats launched the first competition morning from Fisherman’s Landing in Muskegon. After Day 1, Doug Polasek brought in 18.67 pounds to take the early lead in the boater division. On the final day, there were more than 20 anglers in the hunt to take home the championship. Troy Sitar earned the state champion title on the boater side by weighing in 16.18 on Day 1 and 14.14 on Day 2. Zachary Wiggers hauled in the biggest bass of the tournament with a 5.85-pounder.
On the co-angler side, Hunter Scharphorn brought in 8.85 pounds to take the Day 1 lead. However Mike Dawson weighed in 6.42 on Day 1 and 11.71 the second day to win the co-angler state champion title. Duane Michales caught the co-angler biggest bass with a 4.91-pounder.
The tournament also set the 2018 Michigan state team that will compete in the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional tournament. Making the state team were Troy Sitar, Jason Ammerson, Brian Feutz, Zachary Wiggers, Jesse Weener, Shaun Ford, Chad Timmer, John Ling, Nate Wilson, Don Fowler, Ed Schiller, Mike Dawson, Peter Tuls, Jake Versluis, Josh Pelham, Hunter Scharphorn, Curtis Ling, Tom Hall, Dan Posey, Gary Woods, and Joshua Dekoning.
For more Michigan Nation State Championship results, click here.
