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USA Bassin Coffeen Lake Fall/Winter Division

Monday, February 15, 2010

USA Bassin held the last tournament of the Coffeen Lake Fall/Winter division. As always from start to finish, Dan ran the tournament without a hitch. We had 27 boats come out to take the Coffeen challenge. Since this was the final fall/winter tournament we would be crowning the division champs at weigh-in. The leaders were 9 points ahead of the second place team.

Finally we had a beautiful day to fish. Sunny skies dominated the day with a slight breeze, a far cry from the last several weekends. Reports of limits being caught within the first hour of the tournament were common. The water temp at the boat dock at take off was hovered around 40 degrees. The main lake was 42 and the buoys in the hot ditch were reported to be 60 degrees. The water was clear to slightly stained.  On with the stats!

Congratulations to our division champions Jon Rinderer and Scott Sautman. This well known fish catching duo once again proved themselves in each of our tournaments. Their consistent fish catching techniques earned them the Division Championship plaques. In this final tournament they finished 2nd out of the money and received a gift certificate from “The Fishin Hole at Leisure time”.

First place went to the team of Joe Gray of Butler, IL and Joe Schreiber of Greenville, IL. They weighed in a 5 fish limit weighing 11.81 lbs anchored by 2nd big bass weighing 3.63 pounds. The two Joes concentrated on the midlake area. Their bait of choice was a jerk bait. These guys were fishing Sunday so this was all they would like to report.

Second place went to the father and son team of Chris Bardill and Joe Bardill of Highland, IL. This was their first USA Bassin tournament. Chris and Joe keyed in on the mid-lake to the north end area of the lake. They brought in a 5 fish limit weighing 10.78 lbs and this limit was anchored big bass of the day weighing 4.16lbs. The team was using Lucky Craft jerk baits, Lucky Craft billed crank baits, and jigs while using 8lb Vicious line. They fished at a water depth ranging from 4-6 feet. Their big bass came on a jig. Chris reported culling through numerous fish over 15 inches.  

Third place went to the team brothers Sean Kelley of Afton, MO and James Kelley of Maryland Heights, MO. Sean and James weighed in a 5 fish limit weighing 10.52 lbs. These guys are a couple of shaky head fanatics. They fished the mid-lake area keeping the boat in about 30 feet of water while casting towards the bank. Their Quantum reels were spooled with fluorocarbon 8lb Sunline Sniper line and attached to a Low Rider Falcon rod. The 8lb line was rigged with a green finesse worm.

Rounding out the top five were in 4th place Glenn Wells and Donnie Chandler weighing 5 fish for 7.70 lbs. 5th place was Johnston and Stalker with 5 fish weighing 9.49 lbs. 

All but one of the 27 teams brought fish to the scales. There were a total of 112 live fish brought to the scales and 112 live fish returned to the lake! This is goal of ours here at USA Bassin. The total weight was 190.83 lbs. There were a total of 17 limits brought to the scales.

Once again the fall/winter circuit has ended. The regional’s are in sight. But before that and another chance for the anglers to qualify for the regional’s will be the USA Bassin Spring Coffeen/Otter Lake division.

Dan and I would like to thank the anglers participating in the USA Bassin division. We tried, I think successfully, to run this tournament with great candor. We look forward to seeing each of you at the spring circuit and the 2010 fall/winter division. This was wonderful time spent with a group of competitive, courteous, and cognizant anglers. This lake will recover, but we need your help. When you are out pre-fishing take some of the slot fish home for dinner or for someone else. This is the only way that we can reduce their numbers and allow the bigger fish more forage.

As always any questions, suggestions, or comments please email.

See ya on the water!

Mike Evanoff