Team Trout Tournament

[Phil Lilley]

Take Off (Click for a slideshow)

Weigh in (Click for a slideshow)

Was a tough day for most of the contestants- so they say. Lots of stories of fish coming off or breaking lines. Many of the better rainbows came in from below the bridges in Branson. Some caught on crank baits and some on jigs.

Father/Son team of Shawn and Garry Pingleton took first with 7.60 lbs and Shawn took big rainbow- 2.16 lbs.

Second place was Jeff Cross and Greg Burkin with 6.40 lbs.

Third place - Joe Whelan and Rich Holt with 6.30 lbs.

And Fourth was John Hittler and Frank Dielt with 6.12 lbs.

Shawn and Garry caught their fish below Rockaway Beach on cleos. They also caught and released over 30 bass!! I'm planning on talking to Shawn later today for more details... or he can comment himself on the forum.

[Simsmarine]

Phil, Do you not require PFD's on, and kill switches connected when the big motor is running ?

We've had a few liability issues here on L.O. and every hosted Tournament is strict on that. Just a suggestion, 'cause I notice several of your participants "forgot"

[Phil Lilley]

We usually do but forgot to announce it at the pre-tournament meeting. My mistake.

[Bill Babler]

Excellent Point by Simsmarine. The safety issue is always first. However, checked with the MO State Water Patrol and there is no state or federal statute concerning kill switches and life jackets during fishing tournaments, other than those pertaining to every day water craft activity. The kill switch is a great idea and the pfd has to be readely accessable. No statute to even say it has to be worn. This info comes from the headquarters at Jefferson City. All major bass tournaments require the kill switch and the pfd to be worn, but it is not state or federal law. These are just tournament regulations, and a great idea.

[Phil Lilley]

It'd make my insurance company happy though! Thanks for reminding me.

[Ping]

Phil,

Most of the bass were small, we did have a few in the pound and a half range, but most were well under 12 inches. They were just mixed in with the trout we were catching. The boat was in about 8 feet of water and we were casting to about 3 to 5 feet of water over weed beds, the wind was also blowing against that bank (Which is why we targeted it). We also caught the bass on the cleos just like the trout.

Have a great day!

Shawn

BTW, we did have OUR kill switch and PFD's on!!

[Phil Lilley]

Did you see alot of shad? We did while we were bass fishing Friday. We saw trout midging as well.

The cleos says they were looking for shad. Would like to catch some and see what was in their stomachs.

[Ping]

We didnt see many shad, but I'm sure they were there. We were targeting the windy banks and couldn't even see most fish until they were on, which is not your typical cleo fishing....I usually see them following first.