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Mt Vernon Elks Lodge No. 819 18th Childrens Care Corp. Benefit Bass Tournament on Rend Lake August 1, 2010 Click Here For Entry

Camp New Hope/CCAR Industries Benefit Tournament on Lake Mattoon Results!

Champaign County Bassmasters “Open” Tournament - Click here for more details.

Click here to read the Belleville News Democrat article about the Kirchhoff’s Win!

JOSH & BRAD KIRCHHOFF

WIN 2009 “ITT CLASSIC” EVENT

 “Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better!” echoed the words of Brad Kirchhoff. He wasn’t referring to the massive fish him and his son, Josh, had caught to win the new Ranger Boat package – but rather, the 17’ aluminum boat with a 25 h.p. outboard they used to get there! Traveling an hour each way sounds like they traveled far but not at 20 – 25 m.p.h.! The father and son team of Highland, Illinois caught an impressive 33.28 lbs. in two (2) days, 6.40 lbs. more than their nearest competitor!

 Their first day catch of 5 fish weighing 15.64 lbs. was good for a 5^th place standing, behind four 17 lb. + stringers, in first through fourth place. Their second day 17.64 lbs. stringer had the tournament’s 2^nd Big Bass of 6.51 lbs. That was the fish that won the tournament for this team!

 Using various crankbaits from shallow runners like the Bandit 100 to the deepest diver Norman DD22, the team seined the area from shallow to deep and kept changing colors from shad, crawfish to chartreuse when they thought the fish were getting use to seeing their baits. But the real key to their success was the ¾ oz. football jig in green pumpkin. “The two largest fish we caught were on the jig,” said Brad. The versatility this team showed, the care-free attitude of their boat’s speed limitation and their complete confidence and knowledge of the area they fished – was nothing but EXTRODINARY! Job well done and deserved, congratulations Josh and Brad Kirchhoff!

 Our Second Place Team showed the same consistency as the Kirchhoff’s, - just didn’t have the same quality as they. James Williams of Homer, Illinois and Ian Estes of Mahomet, Illinois ran the same distance as most of the field did, only on Barkley Lake for them. Their fish consisted of almost 14 lbs. on Day 1 and almost 13 lbs. on Day 2 - came on top water baits near bridge pilings as the Corp pulled water, then later in that day off of football jigs. “I made a comment to Brent Sporleder that I was about out of jigs Saturday evening; he brought me a handful, I didn’t have a chance to thank him!” said James Williams. I just took care of that for you James! The two-day total came to 26.88 lbs. winning Second Place and a whopping $10,000.00 paycheck. Also, they were the first place Ranger Cup qualifier winning an additional $1,000.00. (Ranger Cup qualifiers must be registered as a Ranger Boat owner with Ranger Boats, show proof of membership card - display Ranger Cup on windshield of Ranger Boat, and abide by Ranger Cup clothing requirements) If interested in becoming a Ranger Cup participant – go to www.rangerboats.com and check out Ranger Cup Registration. Hey James, I can’t blame you, I would have tears in my eyes if I had won that much as well! Good job James Williams and Ian Estes!

 The tournament’s Big Bass of 6.82 lbs. was caught by Bob Brachear of Ashmore, Illinois earning his team $700.00, plus he and his partner, Jack Hingson of Mattoon, Illinois won $300 for their 12^th place finish. Bob said, “Jack and I both had a fish on at the same time. I said Jack get the net, but Jack went ahead and landed his fish, then got the net.” I asked, did you have time – his reply was, “Yeah, the fish took me where it wanted to, as it turned out, we had plenty of time”, saying with a Big chuckle! Good job men!

  Fifty-three teams competed in a two-day Classic on September 19 and 20, 2009 as chosen by them by ballot on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes. The total purse paid out was $48,700.00 in Cash including a Ranger Boat/Mercury Outboard package. The sun never appeared but only minutes each day with most of the time spent in rain gear.

 The twin lakes weren’t “up-to-par” as in year’s past. Fishermen found practice and the tournament to be tough for the most part. Typical for most Illinois waters, not typical most of the time for twin lakes. Still in all, it was a blast for most of our fishermen.

 There was a total of 280 fish caught which weighed a total of 729.71 lbs. An average of 2.60 lbs. / fish.

 Winners listed – Two-Day Totals - All of Illinois:

 1^st Place: Josh and Brad Kirchhoff, both of Highland, 10 fish, 33.28 lbs. – 2010 Ranger Boat/Mercury Outboard

 2^nd Place: James Williams of Homer and Ian Estes of Mahomet, 10 fish, 26.88 lbs. - $10,000.00 plus $1,000.00 Ranger Cup Bonus

 3^rd Place: Gene Compton of Mattoon and Eric Ballinger of Neoga, 8 fish, 24.90 lbs. - $5,000.00

 4^th Place: Kevin Arbaugh and Kari Shultz, both of Olney, 8 fish, 24.49 lbs. - $2,500.00

 5^th Place: Danny Schipkowaski and Steve Tucker, both of Edwardsville, 10 fish, 24.36 lbs. - $1,000.00

 6^th Place: Jerry Walker of Zeigler and Bobby Atchison of Whittington, 8 fish, 23.69 lbs. - $900.00

 7^th Place: Greg Coleman of Butler and Travis Gillett of Iuka, 9 fish, 22.44 lbs. - $800.00

 8^th Place: Adam Eggertsen and Dan Shoraga, both of West Frankfort, 10 fish, 22.38 lbs. - $700.00

 9^th Place: Jeff Faust and Ken Voelkerding, both of O’Fallon, 9 fish, 21.68 lbs. - $600.00

 10^th Place: Greg Harkins of Lake Villa and Mark Kattenbraker of Charleston, 9 fish, 21.57 lbs. - $500.00

 11^th Place: Alan Metje and Aaron Mays of Mt. Vernon, 6 fish, 21.47 lbs. - $400.00

 12^th Place: Jack Hingson of Mattoon and Bob Brachear of Ashmore, 7 fish, 21.07 lbs. - $300.00

 1^st Big Bass: Team of Jack Hingson and Bob Brachear, 6.82 lbs. - $700.00

 2^nd Big Bass: Team of Josh Kirchhoff and Brad Kirchhoff, 6.51 lbs. - $300.00

 Bradley and Sue Culp, owners of “Sportsman’s” of Gilbertsville, Kentucky prepared and passed out sack lunches of Ham Sandwiches, Chips and Candy Bars to all of the qualifiers early Saturday morning before take-off. In fact, it took them so long to prepare the sack lunches, they never went to sleep Friday night. The fishermen sure did enjoy their lunch.

 A banquet supper for the Classic Qualifiers and guests was held at the “Ken-Bar Lodge” in Gilbertsville, Kentucky. An award presentation was held after the supper. Travis Loyd of “Jackson Hewitt Tax Service” presented the top Points Champions of the Southern and Northern Division their plaques by “Tinder’s Rubber Stamps” (Mark Tinder of Lerna - Owner). The top 2009 Points Champion Team of the Southern Division was Toby Corn and Allen Williford, both of West Frankfort. The top 2009 Points Champion Team of the Northern Division was Marion Cordes of Sullivan and Jason Jacobs of Charleston. Each team was also awarded a $1,000.00 check for expenses, tournament fishing shirts and fully paid 2010 entries into the Illini Team Trail by Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. Ray Cortivo of Troy won the Flowmaster Muffler System donated by Red’s Muffler System of Urbana and was presented by Wayne Shaw.

 While waiting for the top 3 winning teams to get back from their Polygraph tests – a raffle was held. B & R Outlaw Rod was also won by Jake Argo of Taylorville. Jake had broken a rod that day that had belonged to his dad, Melvin. When asked if he was going to give it to his dad – his reply was, no way! Jim Carroll of Hillsboro won the 50/50 drawing.

 The Southern Division has two tournaments on Lake of Egypt, two on Rend Lake and two on the Ohio River (Golconda). The Northern Division holds all six tournaments on Lake Shelbyville. The Illini Team Trail’s 2010 dates: Northern Division: April 25, May 2, June 6, July 11, August 8, and August 29; Southern Division: March 21 & April 11 – Lake of Egypt; May 16 – Golconda (Ohio River); June 13 – Rend Lake; July 25 – Golconda (Ohio River); and August 15 on Rend Lake. Classic – September 25 & 26, 2010 TBA. Check out our web site for more info at www.illiniteamtrail.com .

 On behalf of the staff and all of the sponsors of the Illini Team Trail, congratulations to all of the winners and Classic qualifiers!

 2009 Illini Team Trail Sponsors:Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards, Eagle Creek State Park (Lake Shelbyville), Hamby’s Protector Beaching Bumpers, The City of Sullivan, Pizza Hut, Reynolds Towing Service, Inc. of Champaign, Prairie Outfitters of Charleston, Bedford Sales of Morris, Belleville Sport Sales of Belleville, Buell’s Marine of Canton, Lake Sara Marina of Effingham, Rend Lake Marina of Benton, Rend Lake Sporting Goods of Mt. Vernon, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, B & R Outlaw Rods of Collinsville, Tinder’s Rubber Stamps & Engraving of Lerna, Rejuvenade, Standard Coffee, Vicious Fishing Line, Sportsmans of Gilbertsville, KY, Howy’s Lakeside Food Mart of Sullivan, Red’s Muffler Shop of Urbana, Black’s Insurance of Toledo, and Gateway Inn of Sullivan.