Illini Team Trail

Southern Division – Lake of Egypt

March 22, 2008

FIRST PLACE WINNERS

 ERIC NISWONGER and KYLE RADAKE, both of Cape Girardeau, Missouri won the Illini Team Trail Southern Division Buddy-Bass Fishing Tournament on Lake of Egypt with a total of 59 teams competing on Saturday, March 22, 2008. It was a bitterly cold day (40 degrees) and windy (N-15 mph). This team brought (5) five fish to the scales weighing 19.82 lb. caught on Bandit 200 pearl/black back and black/blue ¼ oz. jigs on windy rock banks in 8 – 10 feet of water on the main lake. They won first place prize money plus trophies by “Tinders Engraving” of Lerna for a total of $2,000.00 and were also Ranger Cup qualified for 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. Niswonger and Radake are both sponsored by Setyr Rods, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses, and Seaguar Line.

 Big Bass of 6.20 lb.: Team of Nick Sisk of Eldorado, Ill. and Bryan Mitchell of Galatic, Ill.

 2^nd Place: Billy Walker of Mulkeytown, Ill. and Branden Bate of Zeigler, Ill., 5 fish, 18.95 lb.

 3^rd Place: Nick Sisk and Bryan Mitchell, 5 fish, 18.24 lb.

 4^th Place: Larry Morehead of Decatur, Ill. and Jeff Stroud of Warrensburg, Ill., 5 fish, 18.15 lb.

 5^th Place: Jason Downen of Fairview Heights, Ill. and Paul LeSaulnier of Waterloo, Ill., 5 fish, 17.09 lb.

 6^th Place: Steve Sanders and Greg Gorden, both of Vienna, Ill., 4 fish, 16.59 lb.

 The winner of the “ITT Challenge” (sponsored by “Jackson Hewitt Tax Service) drawing of $350 was Jeff Stroud of Warrensburg, Ill. At the end of the season – the top leading team in points (both must be registered) will receive the “ITT Challenge” endorsement presented by Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. The “ITT Challenge” leading team in points as of today is the team of Billy Walker and Branden Bate. Other drawing prizes were sponsor donated by Setyr Fishing Rods, Vicious Fishing Line, Rend Lake Sporting Goods, Rejuvenade, and Mercury Outboard Motors.

 There were a total of 152 bass weighed in that weighed a total of 483.68 lb.

 This is the eighth year for the Illini Team Trail. After six events of the Northern Division and six events of the Southern Division - 40% of the average field will compete for a Classic Grand Prize of a new 2009 188 VS Ranger Boat, Ranger Trail Trailer, and a Mercury 150 hp Optimax Motor plus accessories (with a cash pay-out as well). 

 Dates for the Southern Division: April 13 – Lake of Egypt – Pyramid Acres Boat Ramp; May 4 & June 22 – Rend Lake – Sailboat Harbor Boat Ramp; and July 27 & August 17 (Wild Card) on the Ohio River – Golconda Marina Boat Ramp.

 Dates for the Northern Division: April 20, May 18, June 8, July 13, August 10, and August 24 (Wild Card). The Northern Division six (6) tournaments are all held on Lake Shelbyville and will weigh-in at 3:00 p.m. at Eagle Creek Ramp area. The Classic will be held on September 13 & 14 (TBA). For more information about the Southern Division, you may call Gene & Pat Cailey at 217-324-2944 or the Northern Division, call Mike & Penny Black at 217-923-3098 or on the web site at www.illiniteamtrail.com.

 Illini Team Trail Southern Division Sponsors: Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards; MinnKota Trolling Motor; Humminbird Depth Finder; Hamby’s Protector Beaching Bumpers; Belleville Sport Sales; Nameoki Village Marine of Granite City; Rend Lake Marina of Benton; Rend Lake Sporting Goods of Mt. Vernon; Jackson Hewitt Tax Service; Setyr Fishing Rods; BassFan/BassFan Army; Rejuvenade; Tinders Rubber Stamps & Engraving of Lerna; Vicious Fishing Line; Sportsmans of Gilbertsville, KY; Wayne’s Prop of Mt. Vernon; and Black’s Insurance of Toledo.

 Illini Team Trail Northern Division sponsors: Ranger Boats; Mercury Outboards; MinnKota Trolling Motor; Humminbird Depth Finder; Hamby's Protector Beaching Bumpers; The City of Sullivan; Reynolds Towing Service Inc. of Champaign; Bedford Sales of Morris; Buell’s Marine of Canton; Lake Sara Marina Inc. of Effingham; Midwest Marine Inc. of Heyworth; Jackson Hewitt Tax Service; Setyr Fishing Rods; Pizza Hut; Vicious Fishing Line; BassFan/BassFan Army; Prairie Outfitters of Charleston; Standard Coffee; Rejuvenade; Howy’s Lakeside Food Mart of Sullivan; Tinders Rubber Stamps & Engraving of Lerna; Red’s Muffler Shop of Urbana; Black’s Insurance of Toledo; and Gateway Inn of Sullivan.