Champions Tour Angler Profiles (A – C)
2017 Anglers in this group consist of Michaela Anderson, Brian “Banger” Bengston, Brian Blaeser, Jeff Bosshardt, Corey Brant, Dustin Byfuglien, Dean Capra, Jay Carlson and Mark Courts. Stay tuned to Classic Bass for the remaining list of anglers that will be participating in the 2017 Classic Bass Champions Tour Presented by Skeeter Boats and Yamaha Outboards
Name: Michaela Anderson
Hometown: Lino Lakes, MN
Years Tournament Fishing: 5
Current Tournament Circuit: Northstar Tournament Trail
Tournament Wins:
– MFBA Jr State Champion (2009)
– MFBA Co-Angler State Champion (2013)
Tournament Accomplishments:
– MFBA State Team Member (3 time)
– 2012 BASS College National Championship Competitor
Noteworthy Items:
Michaela won the MN Bass Federation Jr Sportsmanship award in 2011 and served as the President of the University of St. Thomas Fishing Club in 2015. She is a frequent boat captain and volunteer for the Bassinators and White Bear Lake High School Fishing Team.
Name: Brian “Banger” Bengston
Hometown: Bloomington, MN
Years Tournament Fishing: 16
Current Tournament Circuit: Denny’s Super 30, Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic, MN Federation Nation
Tournament Wins:
– Denny’s Super 30 (2016)
Tournament Accomplishments:
Brian has accumulated over 25 top-ten finishes over his 16 years of tournament bass fishing, including these four top-five finishes in the last four years:
– Denny’s Super 30, 2nd place (2016)
– North American Bass Circuit, Mille Lacs, 4th place (2015)
– Denny’s Super 30, 3rd place (2014)
– North American Bass Circuit, Leech Lake, 5th place (2013)
Noteworthy Items:
Brian and his team tournament partner have competed in the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic since 2009 and have contributed to this event’s fundraising success. Besides having worked in the fishing industry for 15 years, Brian has given back by serving as a Boat Captain/Youth Mentor to the Prior Lake High School in 2016 and the High School Championship in 2014.
Name: Brian Blaeser
Hometown: Freeport, MN
Years Tournament Fishing: 16
Current Tournament Circuit: Denny’s Super 30 Minnesota, Northstar Tournament Trail
Tournament Wins:
Brian has 16 tournament wins since 2012, including the:
– North American Bass Circuit, Lake Wisconsin (2015)
– Minnesota Pro-Am, Le Homme Dieu (2002)
– UMBCS, Woman Lake (2014 & 2015)
– (4) Denny’s Super 30 Minnesota Events
– (3) Super Slam Events
Tournament Accomplishments:
– BASS Federation Championship Qualifier (2000)
– BASS Federation Northern Divisional 3rd place and MN State Champion (1999)
– BASS Federation Northern Divisional Qualifier (4 times)
– UMBCS Team of the Year (2014)
– Denny’s Super 30 Minnesota Team of the Year (2011)
Name: Jeff Bosshardt
Hometown: Eagan, MN
Years Tournament Fishing: 20
Current Tournament Circuit: Denny’s Super 30, Fishers of Men
Tournament Wins:
Jeff has 24 wins since 2002, including the 2008 Minnetonka Classic
Tournament Accomplishments:
– Won Two Skeeter Boats (2007)
– Fishers of Men Points Champion (2006)
– Frankies Tuesday Night Points Champion (2008, 2009 and 2014)
Noteworthy Items:
Jeff currently serves as the Chaplain for the Fishers of Men Minnesota Division and was the former Wisconsin Division Tournament Director. Jeff has also been running youth fishing camps since the year 2000.
Name: Corey Brant
Hometown: Chaska, MN
Years Tournament Fishing: 5
Current Tournament Circuit: Denny’s Super 30, Minnetonka Classic, MN Bass Federation, MN B.A.S.S. Nation
Tournament Wins:
Corey has accumulated nine wins since 2011 including these:
– MN B.A.S.S. Nation TOC, Lake Minnetonka (2016)
– MN Bass Federation TOC, Mille Lacs (2016)
– Full Throttle, Mille Lacs (2014)
– Denny’s Super 30 (2014 and Two in 2013)
– Fishers of Men, Lake Minnetonka (2011 and 2012)
– North American Bass Circuit, Lake Minnetonka (2011)
Tournament Accomplishments:
– B.A.S.S. Nation National Championship Qualifier (2015)
– B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Divisional, 2nd place and MN State Champion (2015)
– B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Divisional, 9th place (2014)
– Denny’s Super 30 Team of the Year (2013)
– MN B.A.S.S. Sate Team (2011, 2014 – 2016)
Noteworthy Items:
Corey received the 2016 Classic Bass Leadership Award and has been a volunteer for the New Prague Sportsman’s Club Youth Clinic since 2013.
Name: Dustin Byfuglien
Hometown: Long Lake, MN
Years Tournament Fishing: 4
Current Tournament Circuit: Kenora Bass International, North American Bass Circuit, Sturgeon Bay Open
Tournament Wins:
– Won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010…still looking for his first fishing tournament win
Tournament Accomplishments:
– Sturgeon Bay Open, 20th place (2016)
– Kenora Bass International, 22nd place (2016)
Noteworthy Items:
Dustin has played in over 750 NHL games and following his Stanley Cup win with the Blackhawks, was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers, who eventually moved to Winnipeg, where he is currently playing. Dustin was named an NHL All-Star in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016. When not on the ice or fishing, he works closely with kids charities in Winnipeg and Minneapolis.
Name: Dean Capra
Hometown: Andover, MN
Years Tournament Fishing: 40
Current Tournament Circuit: Denny’s Super 30, Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic, Fishers of Men, MN Bass Federation, MN B.A.S.S. Nation, North American Bass Circuit, Northstar Tournament Trail, Sturgeon Bay Open
Tournament Wins:
In his forty year career, Dean has amassed over 75 tournament wins!
Tournament Accomplishments:
– Two Time BASS Northstar Division Angler of the Year
– Chevrolet Silverado Circuit Angler of the Year
– Gander Mountain Circuit Angler of the Year
Noteworthy Items:
Dean has been a top ten fundraising team for the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic multiple times.
Name: Jay Carlson
Hometown: Prior Lake, MN
Years Tournament Fishing: 27
Current Tournament Circuit: Denny’s Super 30, Frankie’s Tournament Series, North American Bass Circuit
Tournament Wins:
Jay has won the Minnetonka Classic and the Frankie’s Tournament Series.
Name: Mark Courts
Hometown: St. Harris, MN
Years Tournament Fishing: 18
Current Tournament Circuit: Cabela’s National Tour
Tournament Wins:
– Professional Walleye Tour, Mobridge, SD
– Professional Walleye Tour Championship, Bay City, MI
Tournament Accomplishments:
– 2015 Cabela’s National Walleye Tour Angler of the Year
– Over 40 Top-Ten Finishes
Noteworthy Items:
Mark is an organizer for the Trolling for Troops event, serves as a board member for the American Hero’s Outdoors and the National Professional Angler’s Association
