Goodrich-In the dark, early morning hours of July 11, a legion of fishermen gathered at Metro Beach on the shores of Lake St. Clair.
Each of the 60 two-man fishing teams sported a variety of specialized equipment from Global Positioning Systems to 200-hp bass boats to high-tech fish finders.
The assembly of anglers arrived from local cities and nearby states’donning an assortment of fishing techniques, lures and strategies.
While the methods and equipment differed among the montage of fishermen, two factors remained constant: they were all seeking a lunker smallmouth bass and they all used boats purchased from Jan’s Sport Shop in Goodrich.
What’s grown into the largest fishing competition on Lake St. Clair, the Sixth Annual Customer Appreciation Invitational Two-man Team Bass Tournament, hosted by Jan’s Sport Shop attracts both the professional and amateur.
More than $20,000 in cash and prizes was awarded for participants? day-long fishing efforts including boats, motors and fishing gear.
‘It’s our way of saying thanks to all our customers,? said Janell Zirnhelt, Jan’s office manager. The concept of a fishing tournament just for customers seemed to catch on from the very beginning. It’s a great day of fishing and fun, plus hundreds of prizes.?
Richard Saincome’s, 59, and his son Richard Thomas? of Pontiac fishing efforts netted first place in the amateur team division.
‘Many years ago I fished in tournaments in Florida and nothing compares to this one,? said Saincome, a City of Pontiac employee, who purchased a 17-foot Monark fishing boat two years ago from Jan’s.
‘Jan’s tournament is a fantastic day, great meal and family event.?
While rather vague on just where the Saincomes caught their winning bass, they were using plastic tubes for bait in about 10 to 12 feet of water, said Saincome.
Jan’s Sport Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; and closed Sunday. Phone: (810) 636-7173, or go to www.janssports.com.