AC Tournament Trail - SE Michigan

05/19/2026

Reminder that we are approaching the deadline for the early boat draw deposit - this is more or less a season long commitment to fish the entire division.

Along with the ability to draw for early boat numbers, only the teams participating in this system are eligible for an additional $500 in division sponsorship payouts per event ($3,500 for the season).

The division sponsorship payouts roll down and will be paid out at each event.

We have had teams in the past say they could only make 6 events so they didn't want to make the deposit payment for all 7 events because they would loose $20... That $20 cost the team a chance at $3,500 over the course of the year.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or see previous posts on the boat draw system.

05/08/2026

We are pleased to announce that RecLending once again stepped up as a SE Michigan Division sponsor for the 2026 tournament season.

During the tournament season, we will have the RecLending Tournament entry award as we have done the few years:

*Any team that has committed to the entire season via early boat draw deposit, will be eligible to win.

* The highest early boat draw team that does not cash a check of any type, will win free entry into the next event.

* You can only win the free entry once during the course of the year.

Over the past few years RecLending has been supporting the US Anglers Choice National Championships as well as the local divisions within the state of Michigan.

RecLending is a national leader in boat and RV loans and refinancing. They also began offering assistance in obtaining competitive insurance rates for your purchase.

If you are in the market for a boat or RV loan/refinance or just looking to shop your insurance rates around, reach out to the team at RecLending.

Looking for the best boat loan or RV loan rates? Call (517) 543-6921 or apply online now! Get low rates, flexible terms up to 20 years, and exceptional service from a proud Veteran-Owned company.

04/24/2026

Copeland Paving is a long standing sponsor of the SE Michigan Division of US Anglers Choice. If you or someone you know is in need of Asphalt Paving, Patch/Repair, Resurfacing, or a number of other services please be sure to consider Copeland Paving. Support those business that support the division.

Once again Copeland Paving is back as a major sponsor for the SE Michigan Division of US Anglers Choice for the 2026 Tournament Season.

Sponsor payouts are geared to those that regularly fish the SE Michigan Division. This is how the Copeland Paving Contingency is being paid out in 2026:

* THIS CONTINGENCY IS LMIITED TO THE TEAMS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE EARLY BOAT DRAW DEPOSIT OPTION.

* $300 at each event will be paid out to the highest finishing early boat draw team that is outside of the normal payouts (place or big fish).

The early boat draw system is explained in an earlier post.

Send a message to learn more

04/24/2026

AC Decal Contingency Program

Every year it never fails, that someone could have walked away with some extra money at an event because they decided not to participate in the AC Decal Contingency.

This is a pretty simple and straight forward contingency that awards a team $200 per event if they participate in the program. The link to the information is below.

Given the sponsorships and additional payouts that are being announced, the AC Decal Contingency is going to move down the line.

Don't make a so-so tournament worse by missing out on this contingency. Please note, if you bought one last year that you still need to renew it every year to be eligible.

U.S. Angler's Choice is America's foremost leader in team bass tournaments. The Angler's Choice team bass tournament trail offers substantial prizes & payouts to members.

03/20/2026

With the lakes opening up and spring in the air, we turn our attention to the 2026 tournament season.

As we have done in past years, we will run the deposit system for early boat numbers. The deposit system is now open and will close on June 7th.

Here's how this works:

1: Teams must place deposit for entire 7 tournament schedule ($20 each tournament / $140 total minimum). The minimum deposits are non-refundable (see item 5 below).

2: As payments are received, the names of the team will be added to the website to show the deposit has been received.

3: The morning of the tournament, $20 will be applied to the tournament fee and the balance will be due at registration.

4: Teams that have paid the minimum deposit will draw for blast off order at registration.

5: If a team has paid a deposit and does not show the morning of the tournament, the $20 deposit minimum will be held in a separate pot and paid out to the highest finishing team that is "out of the money".

6: Teams that have not paid the deposit and register the morning of the tournament will blast off after the draw boats and will be in the order that registration is received.

Payments can be submitted via Venmo using the information below:
Venmo ID:
Venmo Email: [email protected]

Send a message to learn more

03/12/2026

Congratulations to the teams that qualified for the BASS Team Championship on Lake Hartwell in Anderson South Carolina December 4-7, 2026. The tournament is a two-day team competition followed by a "Fish Off" for a 2027 Bassmaster Classic berth.

Baily Bleser/ Rich Bleser
Mark Wiese Jr/ Brad Jelinek
Nate Holm/ Andy Toth
Chris Groh/ Mike Conley
Colton Boelkey/ Zach Stall
Tucker Siminak/ Dylan Levin
Adam Debono/ Joel Ihrig
Derek Govero/ William Francis
Mar O'Brien/ Brennon McCord
Doug Barnes/ Dakota Barnes

This is by far the most teams US Anglers Choice has ever sent we wish you all good luck at the chance for a Classic berth for 2027 which will also be held at Lake Hartwell!!

02/22/2026

Big Congratulations to US Anglers Choice Angler and the 2025 Southeast Michigan Division Champion Connor Hellebuyck on an incredible performance today and Olympic Gold!!

Fantastic job and we are proud to have you as a member of U.S. Angler's Choice!

01/15/2026

For those needing to complete a boating safety course ahead of the championship, below are a couple of links the required course:

https://www.boat-ed.com/

https://www.ilearntoboat.com/

Official boater safety courses recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard and approved by NASBLA and your state boating license agency. Choose your course to get started!

01/07/2026

Hopefully everyone had an enjoyable holiday season.... Welcome to 2026!!!

Reminder to those teams that have qualified for the National Championship:

(1) Entry forms are due by Jan 26th 2026 - get them in the mail now to ensure they are received in time. The link to the 2026 Championship home page and entry form is below.

(2) A boater safety course is required at the National Championship. You will be required to show the certificate of completion at registration in order to participate in the National Championship.

Pickwick Lake, Pickwick Landing State Park, February 26th & 27th 2026!

10/24/2025

The cooler fall weather has finally arrived, water temps are dropping, leaves are falling.... so we begin to turn our attention to the 2026 season.

Below is the tentative schedule for the 2026 season.

6/14 - White Lake (DNR)
6/28 - Lake St. Clair (Harley Ensign)
7/5 - Kent Lake (West Ramp)
7/19 - Lakeville Lake (DNR)
8/16 - Portage Chain (DNR)
8/30 - Lake Orion (DNR)
9/13 - Lake Ponemah (DNR)

* We will run the early boat draw option as we have done in past years.

* Each event will have a $100 side pot option. This will be cash only at the ramp and paid out 100% at the ramp.

Enjoy your winter and for those qualified for the Championship, it will be here before you know it.

Send a message to learn more