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It was
not long ago that a summer Chain tournament could be won
with around 12 to 14 pounds. But recent results and
last Saturday’s 3rd event out of Chrome Bar and Grill
indicate it’s safe to say those days are long gone.
With 22 limits weighed and 13.74 lbs. needed to cash a
check, the Fox Chain is quickly establishing a
reputation for good numbers of quality fish. Even the
Wednesday night tournaments are taking serious weight to
contend for a victory. For two consecutive weeks
leading up to this tournament, Big Bucks angler Jimmy
Schmehl served notice that he was on the fish to win any
tournament. Winning both Wednesday nighters and
weighing a 6 plus pound Chain giant, the only questions
were; would the pattern hold up and could Schmehl’s
partner and sub maintain the momentum as he attended a
wedding on the big day.
At
6:00 a.m. on tournament day, director Jack Mudget
checked live wells and kill switches as the 42 boat
field blasted off into a steady downpour. Luckily the
rain subsided fairly early and anglers could stow the
rain gear away. Right around the time the weather began
to clear, the team of Chris Groh of Antioch, IL and Jeff
LaForge of Salem, WI (filling in for Schmehl) were
struggling to catch any solid fish. They watched one
boat after another leave their area and began thinking
their pattern may have disintegrated. But Groh knew all
it would take would be one good bass in the boat and it
would activate the winning group of fish. After a short
time, about the middle of the day, their perseverance
paid off as the right fish “just switched on.” Groh and
La Forge eventually brought their best 6 to the scale
for an impressive weight of 17.69 lbs.!
Their
decision to grind it out, not give up and maintain
confidence in their pattern was the key to their 1st
place finish. Both Chris and Jeff also acknowledged
that “it was all Schmehl” referring to their winning
pattern. The team reported spending 10 – 15 hours
practicing for this tournament and took home a total of
$1,500 for their efforts. Congratulations guys. The
team is sponsored by: Raymond Chevrolet, Triangle
Sports,
www.utrap.com, Twin Lakes Marina Inc., The Roost on
59, B & D Landscaping, RL Burman Plumbing, Miholizich
Construction,
www.stickerdude.com, Ed Kanabay Remax, JM Tickers,
Can Custom Tile and Grass Lake Landing Restaurant and
Bar.
Finishing 2nd and right on the heels of the
winners were Pat Koffler of Antioch, IL and Jarret Knize
of Round Lake, IL. Bringing in a 6 fish limit weighing
17.51 lbs. on the Fox Chain, and not winning, is a
humbling experience. But Koffler and Knize took it in
stride and took home $1,300 for their day.
Interestingly enough, when they put their best 6 in the
live wells, this team probably had enough weight to win
the tournament. But unfortunately for them, their
largest fish regurgitated a 6 inch bluegill that,
according to Pat, likely would have more than made up
the difference between 1st and 2nd
place. Koffler and Knize used a run & gun, shallow &
deep, and “a little bit of luck” pattern to secure
second place. Nice job guys. Pat is sponsored by
Action Marine and Jarret is sponsored by United Canvas.
Rounding out the top 3 with a weight of 16.58 lbs. was
the father and son team of Mike and Zach Schmieglitz
from
Johnsburg,
IL. After logging a 9 hour day of mediocre practice,
team Schmieglitz decided to “just go fishing and have
fun.” When their tournament day was over, they had
caught about 15 keepers and won $1,050 for their
efforts. Not bad for just “going fishing.” Zach
commented that the current created by rain storms had a
lot to do with the pattern they discovered South of the
takeoff point. Great job guys. Zach is sponsored by
Triangle Sports in
Antioch.
The
next Chain tournament on the schedule is August 16th
and we hope to see everybody there. The “Anglers of the
Year” contest is heating up as is the race to qualify
for the annual Big Bucks Championship where local
anglers fish for 3 boats! 3 teams have already
qualified by winning an event and the next ten teams by
points are positioned well to attend the fall classic.
The father & son team of David and Jason Reif are locked
in a tie for anglers of the year with the veteran team
of Kranz and Urick. The Reifs are virtually a sure bet
for at least 13 pounds every tournament while Kranz and
Urick are the model of consistency with 16 consecutive
tournaments weighing in a limit. With several teams
nipping at their heels it ought to be an exciting race
to the finish over the next several tournaments.
A big
thanks again goes out to; Chrome Bar and Grill for
hosting the tournament, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards,
Action Marine and Jack and Julie Mudgett for putting on
a great tournament. We’ll see everybody August 16th |
