The Inaugural South Shore Bass Open is set for August 3-4, at the Hammond Marina; presented by Horseshoe Casino. Fishing the waters of southern Lake Michigan in Indiana and Illinois, teams of anglers will be in pursuit of the plentiful smallmouth and largemouth bass that inhabit Lake Michigan and its tributaries.
“We are thrilled to host the South Shore Bass Open with Hammond Firefighter Dennis Banik,” said Jimmy Nelson, South Shore CVA Director of Sports. “This event not only showcases the incredible fishing opportunities on Lake Michigan but also brings together anglers and families for a weekend of fun and competition. We look forward to seeing participants from across the region and celebrating the great outdoors.”
The event will begin on Friday evening with a mandatory pre-tournament meeting and a hospitality reception at Horseshoe Casino Hammond. Thirty-six competing teams will take to the waters Saturday morning with live weigh-in to follow at 2pm both Saturday and Sunday. Teams will have 2 days to bring in their best 5 fish limit each day in hopes of winning the first-place prize of $7,000. Other prizes will also be awarded for biggest bass each day, heaviest five fish limit for the tournament and highest finishing team with a qualifying active firefighter, highest finishing team with a qualifying active police officer and highest finishing team with an active or retired military member.
According to Dennis Banik, tournament organizer, “We are excited to work with Horseshoe Casino, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority and the Hammond Marina to bring this inaugural fishing tournament to Lake County. We hope to grow it year after year and make it one of the premier bass competitions in the Midwest.”
Friends and family can also enjoy food and beverage vendors, live DJ, kids’ games, boat dealerships, informational vendors and other activities. Come out for a fun-filled afternoon and witness some of the best anglers in the Midwest bring in their days catch.
Visit the South Shore Bass Open website for more information; southshorecva.com/south-shore-bass-open, or contact tournament organizer Dennis Banik; 219-512-2924, hfdfirefighter@comcast.net