Reported by Dennis Becker
OBCF Team Members Finish
Karl Guegold:
|
Mike Toht:
|
|
20002 Ohio Report |
|
|
Team Ohio traveled to the Illinois River in Peoria for the 2002 Northern Divisional Tournament on September 8 thru 13. As seems to be the norm for fall river fishing, we encountered very low water that prevented access to many backwater areas where most of the fish were. Add the fact that a lot of accessible backwater areas were posted “No Fishing” or “Fishing: $2.00” (and it was enforced) and you have a very tough tournament. After three HOT, frustrating practice days, there was even talk that it may be worse than the 1990 Gallipolis event we hosted. The event is now run by Tournament Director Randy McBride and his staff: Patti Morsch and PeeWee Powers. Al Smith, B.A.S.S. Federation Director, came in later in the week for meetings with presidents and representatives but was not directly involved in the tournament. The first day saw a nice drop in temperature and humidity that held for the rest of the week. But the water levels continued to drop with it. Most fishermen were making daily roundtrip runs of 50-100 miles or even farther. One angler ran 85 miles one way on the final day. A lot of anglers stacked up in the few “prime” areas. I can assure you that this was one event where the expense money we gave our anglers did not cover their gas and oil expense. The low water took its toll on equipment, with an Iowa angler finding a floating log that broke his engine off the mounting bracket. Fortunately, the cables held it up and they got it back into the boat. We lost two boats during the competition: a bolt vibrated loose in Scott Manson’s engine and Steve Taylor broke a lower unit. Mark Williams had to withdraw from the event due to work obligations. Thanks to our back-up procedures, Brian King, first alternate, moved up to the team and Mark McQuate, the second alternate, was contacted and made the trip as the first alternate. Mark practiced with the team and spent the competition days helping them and looking after the extra boats. It’s not fun sitting on the bank at a tournament like this but it’s important to have someone ready to help when needed. Thanks!, Mark, for a job well done! In a similar experience, two anglers dropped off the Ontario team at the last minute so their alternate and president ended up on their team. Anchoring the last place team, their president came up with the top catch (as a no-boater who fished only his partners’ water) and will go to the Championship to represent their province. He was Karl’s second-day partner and caught ALL of his fish behind Karl! He had three that weighed 3-11. The top angler, Shad Schenk, (from Indiana) could not get into water he wanted to fish with a conventional outboard so he rented an aluminum boat with a jet drive on it. With the advantage this gave him, he blew away the competition and won by over seven pounds… a big margin on this water. He weighed in 14 of a possible 15 fish, including the final day Big Bass (3-9). At least one of his partners, thanks to this advantage, led their teams and advanced to the Federation Championship.
|
Charles Fisher brought in the Big Bass on the second day of competition… 3-1. It was good for an extra $200 for Charlie. Big Bass of the tournament was caught on day one and weighed 3-13. Karl commented that this was probably the best team he has been on (he has been on our team the past three years) and they worked together really well. After a slow start (6th place), we made the largest jump of the tournament into second place on the second day. The third day saw it slip away by a mere 11 ounces and we finished third for a $6,585.97 payday. Steve Taylor’s lower unit went out on the way back on the final day and he had one fish in the livewell that could have made the difference. As soon as we got the word,` him to make the long run back. Steve was very disappointed but consoled himself in the fact that the fish was marginal and he was not sure if it would have measured anyway. There was no real pattern to this event. It was mainly a fish here and a fish there... whoever was lucky enough to do the right thing at the right time. The Indiana anglers concentrated on 6” to 3’ deep water and made as many as 20 casts to any visible structure that looked capable of holding a fish. They said they caught few fish on the first few casts to anything. There was one new twist to this event that we have not faced before… big head and silver carp. Silver carp grow to the usual large size for carp and are excellent jumpers. It’s a real thrill when one on them ends up in your boat when you are running 50-60 miles per hour! Team Ohio leader Karl Guegold now moves on to the B.A.S.S. Federation Championship next May 12-17 on Lake Tuscaloosa at Tuscaloosa, Alabama… just one step from the BASS Masters Classic. Good luck, Karl! The tournament headquarters was the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino. There were no reports on the amount of money won or lost… but I didn’t hear any bragging! As an Alliance angler on our team, running a Triton/Yamaha, Bob Hall received a check for $500 at the final weigh-in. The Federation will also receive $500 from the Alliance. Tournament sponsors were Citgo, Chevy Trucks, GMAC Insurance, MotorGuide, Flowmaster, Berkley PowerBait, Berkley Trilene, Quantum, FirstUSA, Eagle Claw, Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Skeeter Boats, Lowrance, Long John Silvers, Kumho Tires, Bass Pro Shops, and Armstrong Hand Tools. Other Ohio Federation sponsors are Plano, Strike On!, Warrior Rods and the Bass Station Embroidery. We would like to thank Triton Boats for having their 18-wheeler service truck, staffed by Andy and Janet, on site for the tournament. This level of support means a great deal to grassroots anglers. Thanks, Triton!!!! Next years Northern Divisional will be hosted by Ontario on the Georgian Bay at Midland, Ontario. It is a beautiful area and has some great smallmouth. The Ontario Federation should be recognized for an outstanding job of early planning and getting information out. For a preview, check out their web site at www.midland2003.com. Nice job, Ontario! Dates are September 21-27, 2003. Our team, including three alternates, will be chosen at the Ohio Bass Classic. |