On the evening of September 16, 144 anglers met at Fisherman Central in Port Clinton, Ohio at the meeting before beginning an adventure that could change one angler’s life. After a rules and pairing meeting, they were all left with high hopes of a five fish limit on Saturday.
After Saturday’s weigh-in the top boater was Pat Upthagrove of Michigan with 22.23 pounds. The top co-angler was Mark Greco of Ohio with 14.79. However, this was soon to change for some as wind was predicted for Sunday that might affect the offshore bite.
Sunday proved to be typical of Lake Erie with the wind gusting to 20mph from southwest by noon. Anglers were warned to plan accordingly. Weights were less on Sunday but when the scales were closed Pat Upthagrove held onto his lead and outdistanced 2nd place Dave Slonaker with 41.94 pounds for two days. Pat Upthagrove of Michigan qualified for the TBF National Championship from Michigan. The Top co-angler was 18-year-old Dylan Phillips of Ohio with a total for 2 days of 24.53.
Dave Slonaker, Andy Fryer, and Rob Dean as boaters and Dylan Phillips, Joe Harmon, and Nathan Metz as co-anglers will represent Ohio in the TBF National Championship. Pat Upthagrove and Rylan Hamlin of Michigan will be Michigan representatives at that TBF National Championship.
