Men catch 18 pounds of bass, win Lake Macbride benefit tournament

Jeremy Crawford of Palo and Chad McDonough of Ely caught five bass weighing 18 pounds 10 ounces to win a benefit tournament Saturday on Lake Macbride.

Sponsored by the Bear Creek Bass Club, the tournament raised nearly $2,000 to benefit the Aiming for a Cure Foundation, which supports the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

Crawford attributed their success to fishing water overlooked by most competitors. He and his partner caught a limit of fish on a shallow flat during the first two hours, then caught some bigger bass around deeper structure, he said.

Their biggest bass, which topped 5 pounds, was more than many of the competitors could muster in the heavily fished lake.

Greg Ginneberge and Jacob Campbell, both of Iowa City, finished second with 11 pounds. Greg Johnson of Coralville and Orlan Love of Quasqueton finished third with 7 pounds 6 ounces.