Illinois Bass Anglers

Lake Calumet, June 4, 2006

            The tournament on Lake Calumet and all surrounding waters marks the midpoint for the Illinois Bass Anglers tournament trail.  The race for the anglers of the year and the coveted 6-man team continues with great vigor.

            The rough conditions on Lake Michigan kept most boats in Calumet Harbor were every body struggled to get on a bite except Mike Syjud and Mark Porter.  Mark had established a strong partner during pre-fishing, the pattern had lost some of its staying power by Sunday, but with persistence and the big water smallmouth experience of Mike (B.F.L. non boater) everything came together.  With a limit of fish weighing 10.49 lbs. Mark and Mike showed their stuff.  Tubes and Drop Shot were the winning presentation.

            The second place sack of 7.01 lbs. belonged to Mike Stephenson and Jeff Cole.  The fishing time they could account for was spent on the Calumet River.  Their patter consisted of all junk fishing.  Mike said “the key was down sizing to prevent the short bite.  Not a problem for these guys.  They are always contenders for the top position.

            Third place was captured by Bob and Jim Blumenstein with 6.5 lbs.  After running around lake Michigan and not being able to establish a pattern the Blumenstein boys went back to there hard cranking basics and started pounding there honey holes on the Calumet river.  Their persistence and hard driving fishing style put enough fish in the boat to take home a check, and keep them in the top seed for anglers of the year, for now.

            Fourth place and just out of the money was team Bobich and Edmunds with 4.94 lbs...  Bob Bobich and Bud Edmunds fell victim to the allure of the big fish potential on Lake Michigan.  They ended up working there way back down the river to boat a few fish.  Bob Bobich is sponsored by fox valley Marine, Evinrude Outboads, Stratos/Javelin Boats, Setyr Rods, Quantum Reels, McCoy Mean Green line, Limit Lure Bait Co., Strictly fishing and Archery of Plainfield, and Imagination Graphics Inc. Bud Edmunds is sponsored by Home Remedies of La Grange.

            The remaining spots were filled by Kurt Schumacher with 4.58 lbs.,  Brad Hadraba and John Newcomb with 3.66lbs, Jim Riordan and Tim Moore with 3.06, and last but not least Tom Katsankis and Kevin Gofron with 2.39 lbs..

            The day ended up being beautiful and sunny with a breeze out of the north east.  These conditions were not ideal for catching large stringers of fish, but made the long ideal through the five mile no wake zone enjoyable.  Despite the lack of quality fish every one had a good time, and is looking forward to the next tournament on Green Lake WI...  Illinois Bass Anglers would like to thank all of its sponsors, and invite you to join our club.  Come visit us at www.illinoisbassanglers.com.