News photo by Crystal Nelson Team Jones won the 30th annual Jack Daniels Ladies Classic on Thursday, with the winning weight of 87.80 pounds of fish. From left to right are Team Captain Jennifer Jones, Captain of the Full Throttle Bruce Jones, Jane Jones, First Mate Brady Dixon and his mother Stephanie Higgins.

ALPENA — Twenty eight coolers were weighed in for the 30th annual Jack Daniels Ladies Classic on Thursday, but it was Team Jones that brought in the largest total weight of fish. Fisherwomen Jennifer Jones, Jane Jones and Stephanie Higgins reeled in 87.80 pounds of fish and netted first place in the annual tournament.

The ladies were fishing on the boat Full Throttle, which was captained by Bruce Jones. Higgins’ son Brady Dixon was the first mate on the boat, where he ran the back of the boat by setting the lines and helped in locating bigger fish.

Working together, the team caught 10 fish, the maximum number of fish allowed to be weighed in. Six of them were lake trout and four were steelhead.

The trio was ecstatic that they won. Jennifer Jones, who has been battling cancer, said it felt “absolutely amazing” to win the tournament.

“I’ve been fishing this tournament for 15 years, I’ve never won first place. We’ve taken second, we’ve taken third,” she said. “It was an amazing day out with my family and friends. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

The winning team receives a $1,200 cash prize and Jack Daniels product, according to Tournament Director Brad MacNeill.

In second place was a three-woman team led by Tia Szatkowski, who caught a total of 83.85 pounds of fish. The team also caught a 15.60 pound lake trout, making it the largest fish of the day. They received a $400 cash prize for catching the biggest fish.

A three woman team led by Jamie Smigelski came in third place, catching a total of 80.75 pounds of fish.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.

Brown Trout

1. Mitch Arville 9.75

2. Don Muszynski 9.55

3. Tim Wieczorkowski 8.95

4. Don Harrison 7.8

Salmon

1. Jon Kruttlin 15.65

2. Jason Rensberry 15.55

3. Henry Fornier 15.3

4. Brad Skiba 15.25

Atlantic Salmon

1. Melissa Kuznicki 8.40

2. Anthony Moe 4.5

3. Dawn Martin 4.45

4. David Brege 4.05

Steelhead

1. Jon Kruttlin 9.6

2. Josh Nowak 8.35

3. Kevin Lundquist 8.2

4. Jim Vivian 8.05

Lake Trout

1. Shawn Szatkowski 21.4

2. Kim Misiak 18.25

3. Kevin Drummond 16.45

4. Adam Dziesinski 16

Walleye

1. Kim Wesaw 7.7

2. Dillon Schellie 7.55

3. Jeff Vantorre 7.50

4. Joe Kubiak 7.10