Illinois Bass Federation - Open Trail

Lake Springfield

April 27, 2008

Our second stop of the 2008 Season was on Lake Springfield located in Springfield Illinois.  We had a total of 59 pro Anglers and 51 Co-Anglers competing in the Event.  During the Week of the Tournament we experienced warm weather and the Bass were wanting to move up.  I spoke with several Anglers throughout the Week who were experiencing very good Fishing and quality Fish being found.  Late in the Week though a major cold front hit the area accompanied by Rain.  The change in conditions really hampered the Angling.

Tournament morning began with overcast skies, a slight breeze and cold air temperatures.  The high for the Day was expected to be in the mid 50’s.  As luck would have it, afternoon brought the rains with it.

Most everyone on the Lake reported catching 20 to 30 Fish throughout the Event but Keeper Fish were in short supply and high demand!  Things had definitely changed from earlier in the Week.

When the weigh-in began this became more obvious.  No Tournament limits of five Fish were brought to the scales during the Event.  Pro Angler and local resident, Ben Venturini of the Lincolnland Bassmasters brought four Bass to the scales.  The highest number of Fish caught during the Tournament by a single Angler.  Ben’s Fish weighed in at 11 Pounds / 7 ounces and earned Him a second place finish in the Event.  Very nice job Ben! 

We had an unexpected pleasure at Springfield.  Dave and Ginger Alexander were on site with one of the FLW/TBF weigh Trailers.   They had volunteered to help with a fund raising Tournament held on the Lake Saturday and offered to stay an extra Day to help us with our weigh in.  What a Class act the FLW / TBF is!  It was very nice to have a professional Rig at our disposal.  Thank you very much.  Stan Leach, our IBF Past president and His Wife Margaret came on Sunday to help Dave set things up and run the Tournament.  Again, thank you all very much for the support!

When all was said and done we had a total of Fish brought to the scales for a total weight of XXX.  They equates to a 2.XX Pound average.  The majority of the field that weighed in brought one lone Fish to the scales.

On the Pro Side, local Angler Joe DiGiovanna was our first Place Winner.  Joe had three Fish that weighed a total of 11 Pounds 15 ounces edging our Ben Venturini by 8 ounces.  Joe also had our Pro Side Big Bass of the Tournament.  A Bass weighing 5 Pounds/ 8 ounces.  This win kept Joe’s streak going.  He had also won the Fund Raising Tournament on the Lake on Saturday.  Joe reported catching His Fish on a Spinner Bait of undisclosed origin in shallow water weeds.  Congratulations Joe!  If you wish to sell that bait, call Me!

Pro side Finishers:

1^st place           Joe Digiovanna             3 Fish   11lb 15 oz.       $ 1581.20       

2^nd place           Ben Venturini                4 Fish   11lb. 7 oz.        $ 909.00

3^rd place           Ray Jones                     2 Fish   6 lb 11 oz.        $ 711.54

4^th place           Jerry Martoglio 2 Fish   5 lb. 13 oz.       $ 395.30

5^th Place           Brent Werries               2 Fish  5 lb. 10 oz.        $ 197.65

6^th place           Paul Leonard                2 Fish  4 lb.14oz.         $ 158.12

Big Bass           Joe Digiovanna 1 Fish  5 lb. 8oz.           $ 295.00

Ranger Cup    Jerry Martoglio                                                 $ 500.00

On the Co-Angler side, another local Angler, Mike Copp of the Lincolnland Bassmasters was declared the Tournament Winner!  Mike brought 3 Bass to the scales for a total of 8 Pounds 10 oz..  Mike was paired with Jeff Moffett and reported catching His Fish paralleling Rock Banks with a spinner Bait.   Congratulations Mike on a fine job!

Co-Angler Finishers:

1^st Place           Mike Copp                  3 Fish   8 lb 10 oz         $ 1049.58

2^nd Place          Bill Wooldridge            2 Fish   7 lb 6oz.           $ 599.76                                 

3^rd Place           Matt Podgorski            2 Fish   5 lb 6 oz.          $ 478.81

4^th Place           Greg Mathews              2 Fish   5 lb 2 oz.          $ 249.90

5^th Place           Dan Nicklin                  2 Fish   4 lb. 11 oz        $.124.95

Big Bass           Kent Oakley                 1Fish    4lb 7 oz.           $ 255.00

Angler Reports

Joe DiGiovanna 1^st Pro $ 1581.20

Our first Place winner on the Pro Side, Joe Digiovanna hails fromAthens Illinois and is a Member of the Illini Bass Club out of Springfield.

Joe runs a Champion Boat powered by a 150 Mercury Outboard.  He reports catching all of His Fish on a Spinner Bait cast along the shore line where vines or weeds were present.  Joe would not state what Brand the Bait was but hinted that it was a modified Bait that He uses on the Lake in the Spring.  Joe Fished with Scotty McCleery of Scott County during the Event.

Ben Venturini: 2^nd Pro   $909.00

Ben is a member of the Lincolnland Bassmasters out of the Springfield area but also lives in Athens. He drives a Swift Boat powered by a 225 Mercury Outboard.   Ben reported catching two of His four Bass off of Docks throwing a Blue/Green, Angler Assets Jig.  Our Region 3 Director Rob Danielson out of Springfield produces angler Assets Baits.

Ben caught His remaining two Bass on a Chartreuse/ Blue, Lucky Craft Crankbait in shallow water around the 60 degree mark.  Ben spend the Day fishing with Ben Mcvey as His partner .  Ben’s efforts awarded Him the second Place finish on the Pro Side.

Brent Werries:5^th Pro    $ 197.65

Brent comes to us out of the Falcon Bass Club and is a new face on the Open Trail Circuit.  Welcome Brent.  He currently resides in Morton Illinois.  Brent flies a Ranger Boat powered by an Evinrude 150 Outboard Engine.  His partner for the Day was Steve Warfield.

Brent reports catching His Bass pitching a 3 ½ inch Brown/ Pumpkin Netbait Craw.  He is sponsored by Parasite Worm weights and clips.  Brent’s Bass earned him a fifth Place finish on the Pro Side.

Ray Jones:3^rd Pro         $ 711.54

Ray is a Member of the Illinois Central Bass Club and drives a Gambler Boat powered by a 200 Hp. Mercury Outboard.  Ray reports catching his Bass on plastics.

Ray’s efforts for the Day earned Him the 3^rd Place finish on the Pro Side.  Congratulations Ray!

Bill Wooldridge:            2^nd Place Am    $909.19

Although Bill fishes our Circuit as an Amateur, He owns and Fishes from a Triton Boat. 

Bill caught two Bass during the Event that landed Him in the second Place finish on the Am. Side.  Bill resides in Springfield as is no stranger to the Lake.

He reported catching His Bass on a DT-3 Crank Bait.

Dan Nicklin:     5^th Am. $ 124.00

Dan is from highland Illinois located in our Region 4 area.  He owns and operates a Skeeter Boat powered by a 200 Hp. Yamaha Outboard.  A familiar face on the Circuit, Dan has competed with us for several years now.  He was partnered with one of our IBF past Board Members, Lonnie Winn.

He reports catching His Fish on a blue Paca Craw.  Danny’s efforts landed Him fifth Place finish and a check for $ 124.00

Paul Leonard:6^th Pro     $ 158.12

Another Home Town Angler, Paul Leonard is a Member of the Illini Bass Club out of Springfield.  Paul operates a Ranger Boat powered by a Yamaha Engine.

He reports catching His two keepers on a soft Plastic Bait in the Black/Blue color.

Jerry Martoglio 4^th Pro   $ 395.30

Jerry hails from Bloomington Illinois and is our I.B.F. President.

He Fishes from a Ranger 520 Powered by an Evinrude 225 and is sponsored by “The Pantograph” located in Bloomington.

Jerry reports that He caught His Bass in four feet of water throwing parallel to the rock Banks with a “Little Norman” Crankbait.  He returned from the T.B.F. nationals in time to compete in the Tournament but did not get a chance to pr-Fish the Lake prior to the Tournament.  Jerry was also our “Ranger Cup” winner of the event that will gain Him an additional $500.00 for His efforts.

He is a Member of the Mackinaw Valley Bassmasters.

Mike Copp:  1^st AM.    $ 1049.58

Mike resides in Rochester Illinois and is a Member of the Lincolnland Bassmasters.  He owns a Ranger 185 powered by a Yamaha 150 Outboard Motor. 

Mike reports that His Bass Came out of “Little” Hazel Dell Cove.  Mike was casting an “Angler’s Asset” Spinner Bait in 1 to 2 foot of Water to capture the win!  The bait was white with a white skirt and pearl Trailer.

Mike was paired with long time Open Trail Angler, Jeff Moffett. 

Congratulations Mike, great job!

Kent Oakley     Big Bass  Am.     $ 255.00

Due to an error on my part, Kent was not available for comment.  His Big Bass hit the scales at 4 pounds 7 oz.

Greg Mathews 4^th Am. $ 249.90

Greg comes to us out of Galesburg Illinois where He is a Member of the Galesburg Bassmasters.  He owns and operates a Ranger 520 powered by an Evinrude Outboard.

Greg reports catching His Bass in 2 to 6 feet of Water throwing a Norman “N” Crankbait around the Rock.  He states that the Water temperature where He was Fishing ranged from 56 - 58 degrees. 

With three events of five yet to be held, there is still ample time to compete on the Trail and qualify for the Classic!  Our next Event will be held on Pool 13 on the Mississippi River, June 1, 2008 and entries are now being excepted.  

Don’t miss out on the action and fun!  Contact me at (217) 483-3103 for information on how you can be part of the Illinois Bass Federation Open Trail!

Until next time, Good Fishing and tight lines to all!

                                                                                    Tom Acton / Tournament Director 

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