TACKLE HAVEN

🎣 WHERE IT ALL STARTED ❤️

Eighteen years ago, retired Benton Township firefighter Carl “Sea-J” Starner had an idea.

Create a summer fishing tournament built around friendly competition, family, and the love of Lake Michigan. Four individual tournaments would make up the original Church Tackle & Tackle Haven Quad Challenge, with the combined weight across all events crowning an overall champion.

Carl loved fishing Lake Michigan with his daughter Nicole, his son, friends, and anyone lucky enough to spend time on the water with him.

Just 45 days before the inaugural tournament, Carl unexpectedly passed away.

But his dream didn’t.

His family, friends, Church Tackle, and Tackle Haven kept it alive.

Over the years there have been tweaks and changes. The Quad became the Trifecta. Rules evolved. New teams arrived. Kids grew up and now stand where memories were first made.

But one thing never changed:

Carl’s legacy still lives on here at Tackle Haven.

18 years later, we’re still weighing fish. Still telling stories. Still making memories.

And seeing Nicole and her family carrying on what Carl started…that’s what this tournament has always been about ❤️🎣

From all of us at Tackle Haven, we’d also like to recognize and thank the men and women who serve our communities and our country — our first responders, police officers. firefighters, military members, and the families who stand beside them.

Your dedication, sacrifice, and service never go unnoticed.

Legacy matter

Good luck to the 32-boats fishing tomorrow’s 18th-annual Trifecta Challenge. Wishing everyone an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend and a shout out to all the active military, veterans and first responders that keep us protected on our home front.