The 2008 Illinois Bass Federation
Open Tournament Trail
The Illinois Bass Federation – Serving the Anglers of Illinois

Angler’s Summary – Lake: Lake Egypt Date: 03-30-08

Lake Level – Some water flowing over the spillway
Weather – Periods of heavy rain with thunder and lightening, cloudy skies
Barometric pressure, 30.2 & falling
Temps - Low 50, High 63 with variable winds at 3-15 mph.
Water Conditions – Temp: 48-55 Degrees / Stained at dam end, muddy in creek arms
61 Pro's and 56 Am's paired in a PRO-AM Format
Launch time: 7:00 am with flights check-in at 3:30, 3:45 and 4:00

The Pro Winners:

Pictured, left to right

• 1st Place: $2000.00, Kevin Mathews – Jacksonville Area Bass Anglers
• 2nd Place: $940.01, Ron House – Macon County Liners Bass Club

• 3rd Place: $735.66 & Ranger Cup: $500.00, Mark Mclean – Champaign County BM
• 4th Place: $408.20, Kerry Trueblood
• 29th Place and Big Bass: $305, Brent Werries

Note: Pro Side 5th Place: $204.35, Brian Elgin – Starved Rock Bassmasters, was not present for picture.  Pro Side 6th Place: $163.48, Rick Sturtevant – Falcon Bass Club, was not present for picture.
 

• Pro Angler’s Summary:

1. Top finisher, Kevin Mathews with Jacksonville Area Bass Angers takes home the top prize of $2000 in this first event. He reports catching his 13.86-lb winning limit of 4-bass in the southern and mid sections of the lake. He targeted areas where water temps were in the 48-degree range where the water color was muddy. His biggest fish weighed in at 5.06-lbs and was caught on a Bomber 3/8-oz crankbait, while his other three keepers bit a black and blue jig. Kevin fishes out of a Cobra bassboat rigged with a Mercury 225-HP outboard.
2. Our second place finisher is Ron Houser from Decatur, IL., and fishes with Macon County Liners Bass Club. He had a 4-fish limit that weighed in at 13.61-lbs, and cashed in for a total of $940. He caught his fish in the upper end of the lake from areas where the water was 48-degrees and 5 to 7-feet deep. His primary bait was a crankbait, but did catch some of his fish on a tube. His heaviest fish today weighed in at 5.04-lbs. Ron fishes from a Ranger boat rigged with a Mercury outboard.
3. Third place winner of $735.66 with a  4-bass limit weight of 13.16-lbs is Mark McLean, with Champaign County Bassmasters. He's also our top finishing Ranger Cup Participant today, bagging him an additional $500 in Ranger bonus money. Mark worked areas in 1 to 6-feet of water that was stained to muddy and 48-degrees. His key to getting bit was by fishing a spinnerbait with colorado blades, slow rolled through weeds. Mark fished out of his Ranger boat with a Mercury outboard. His total payback in this event was $1235.66.

• PRO Big Bass Winner: Brent Werries with Falcon Bass Club came all the way from Morton, IL to fish in this event. He locked in on today's Pro Side Big Bass with one bite, a fish that came in at a hefty 5.96-lbs! He landed into this $305 fish while throwing a 1/2-oz red Strike King trap through the grass. Brent fishes out of his Ranger boat rigged with an Evinrude outboard, and is sponsored by "Parasite".

The Am Winners:

Pictured, left to right
• 1st Place: $1097.60, Chuck Teegardin – Falcon Bass Club
• 3rd Place: $493.92, Doug Bates – Rend Lake Bass Anglers
• 4th Place: $274.40 & Big Bass: $280, Jeff Emery
• 5th Place: $1387.20, Caleb Smith – Illinois Central Bass Club
• 6th Place: $109.76, Duane Wolland – Illinois Central Bass Club

Note: Am Side 2nd Place: $631.12, John Prescott – Illinois Central Bass Club, was not present for picture.

• Am Angler’s Summary:

1. Top finisher on the Am Side is Chuck Teegardin with Falcon Bass Club. Chuck is from Arnold, MO and no stranger to Illinois lakes. He's been one of our most constant finishers in many bass fishing events in our state, including the BFL ILLINI events. He claims the $1097.60 top prize money in this event while paired with Pro Side angler, Paul Leonard. Chucks fished the lower end of the lake in areas where the water was approx. 10-feet deep and 52-degrees. He cast an Omega 1/2-oz black and blue jig around outside grass edges for a 4-fish limit weighing 12.31-lbs. His best fish of the day weighed in at 4.78-lbs. Chuck is sponsored by Champion Boats.
2. In second place is John Prescott, from Peoria, IL. and fishing with Illinois Central Bass Club. He cranked his way to a $631.12 payback with a firetiger crankbait while paired with Pro Side Angler Rick Stertivant. His 4-fish limit total weight was 12.01-lbs.
3. Doug Bates takes third place in this event, and lives in nearby Grantsburg, IL. Fishing with Rend Lake Bass Anglers, he's another local angler to Lake of Egypt, and a tough competitor in most events that he fishes. Today's 4-fish limit of 10.43-lbs is good for $493.92. He fished with Pro Side anger, Steve Tatum during this event, and bagged his catch using a black and blue 1/2-oz War Eagle Flippin' Jig in 4 to 8-feet of water. He targeted areas with water temps in the low 50's around laydowns and rocks near grass.

• AM Big Bass Winner: Jeff Emery from Marion, IL. He captured today's Am Side Big Bass prize with his biggest fish of the day that weighed 5.04-lbs! He also took fourth place overall in today's tournament, with a 4-fish limit that weighed 10.21-lbs. Jeff reports catching all his fish on a black and blue jig. He's sponsored by "Hot Heads Hair Salon". His winnings in the event are $274.40 for 4th place and an additional $280 for Am Big Bass, for a total payback or $554.40.

Ranger Cup Winner Mark Mclean

Check back soon to find out about our IBF angler’s winning patterns!
 

Full Results

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