Angler Hooks 8.45 lb Smallmouth at Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament

Giant Smallmouth Bass by Giant Smallmouth Bass

Silver Lake, Wisc. angler Tim Schneider didn't come close to winning the annual Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament  this past weekend, but he did take home bragging rights.

Fishing 'tubes' on a Shimano Crucial X72M spinning rod matched with a Shimano Stradic 3000 spinning reel, Schneider landed the big fish of the event - and the largest smallmouth ever brought to the scales in the 23 years the tournament has taken place - with a 8.45-pounder.Big Bass

For his efforts, Tim and his fishing partner, Greg Dickson, owner of Triangle Sports in Antioch, Ill., split the $1,430 big bass pot. While Schneider will be enjoying those bragging rights the rest of the summer, he's looking forward to the Sturgeon Bay fall tournament on Sept. 14. He teamed up with Dickson to win the 2012 tournament, adding that title to their win in the spring 2005 event. Obviously Tim and Greg know how to find the smallmouth in Sturgeon Bay!

For more information on the Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournaments, visit www.sbobt.org.