This past weekend 285 boats showed up to fish the 21st Annual Shriners Tournament. There are two reasons all 570 anglers fish this tournament. The first and foremost is to help support the Shriners and second is for the fishing. I just can not say enough about the anglers who fish this tournament. Their support in fishing this tournament puts a smile on a lot of kid’s faces. The funds from this tournament put on a free Shrine Circus Performance sponsored by the Ararat Mounted Guard. This will be there 53rd Annual Special Shrine Circus. Also some of the funds raised from this tournament go to the Shriner Children’s Hospital. To quote a phrase from their Public Relations Chairman Maurice Camerlynck, “There is only one thing different at our hospitals than at any other and that is we have no payment department.” So to those of you who support the Shriners by fishing this tournament you are a Godsend! A special thanks to Greg Seiner of Belton, MO and Leroy Shull of Parkville, MO. These two guys have fished all 21 Shriners tournaments.
Fridays night’s mandatory meeting went well. The anglers came into the Warsaw Community Center to finish this year’s registration and had the opportunity to pre-register for the 2009 event. They were also treated a “goody bag” filled with donated items from sponsors. Chairman Jack Everly and Corp Sponsorship Jerry McCaslin were there to oversee the event and answer any questions. Mr Camerlynck went over the rules with the anglers and thanked them again for being there. The microphone was then turned over to Don Eckers owner of Long Shoal Marina. Don went a few other items. Then the meeting was called and the anglers went back to their rooms to ponder the two days of fishing to come.
At Saturday mornings take off the anglers were met with some chilly temperature and gusty winds. The take off went very well. The anglers respected those with lower boat numbers which allowed for a smooth take off. Prior to the start Long Shoal Marina opened its doors at 5am to allow the anglers a chance for some breakfast. The marina also stayed open a little later to accommodate the anglers. Long Shoal Marina was a fabulous host to this large tournament.
Saturdays weigh in brought a lot of fish to the scales. There were a total of 35 limits brought to the scales. There 479 fish weighed in for 1400 pounds. Larry Wilcox of Kimberling City, MO and Ron Hedgepeth of Nixa, MO were in first place on day one with a weight of 19.72 pounds. Close behind was Bobby Williams and Brian Wright both of Urbana, MO with a weight of 19.14 pounds. Day one big bass went to the team of Don Cunningham of Wellsville, MO and Lee Lengel of Spring Hill, KS with a weight of 7.87 pounds. This fish was good for $3000. Rounding out the top five on day one was boat 42 Jerry Cramer and George Lawler, boat 181 Bill Bostick and Tim Hill, and boat 154 Robert Hime and Paul Huse.
Sundays take off went a little different. There was an hour and a half fog delay. The teams were afforded there opportunity to fish their eight hours. At the weigh in there wasn’t as many fish turned in as Saturday. There 25 limits brought to the scales and a total of 247 fish for 691 pounds. Sunday’s big bass went to the team of Jason Coan of O’Fallon, MO and Brad Compton with a weight of 6.59 pounds. This fish was good for $3000. Sundays catch brought some new leaders for the two day event. The second day proved to be tough for the anglers, although it was beautiful sunny day with little wind.
During Sundays weigh in Jack Everly and Maurice Camerlynck had some giveaway prizes for the anglers. There were also two large tackle boxes packed with MOMAN BAITS. This raffle raises around $1500 dollars for the cause. The top three leaders on day two were boat 183 Kevin and Denny Mason of Gladstone, MO with a weight of 19.34 pounds. Boat 168 Dr Earl Malone and Dr Tim Wilbeck of Wichita, KS with a weight of 18.09 pounds. In third place was boat 181 Bill Bostick of Foristell, MO and Tim Hill of St Peters, MO with a weight of 17.23 pounds. On with the final stats!
The winner of the tournament receiving the fully rigged Champion bass boat powered by Mercury was boat 181 Bill Bostick and Tim Hill with a total weight of 35.19 pounds. Bill and Tim made a trip to Deepwater creek to boat there two day limit. Using there 20# Trilene line and XPS rods they keyed in pockets fishing about half way back. They were using lizards and brush hogs to catch their fish in 1-3 foot of water. They went through 9 keepers on Saturday and 10 keepers on Sunday they said. They are sponsored by Eberlin Boat and Motors and Champion boats.
The second place team and winner of a fully rigged Lund boat powered by Mercury was boat 168 Dr Earl Malone and Dr Tim Wilbeck with a total weight of 34.70 pounds. Earl and Tim said they made a trip way up the Pomme to boat their fish. They said they were using black and blue jigs in 4-7 foot of water. They keyed in on secondary points. Earl and Tim said they went through 10 keepers on Saturday and 7 on Sunday. They are sponsored by Wilbeck Chiropractic, Rotten Ronnie Baits, and Rush (the band).
The third place team was boat 35 Darrell Reach of Kansas City, MO and John Benton of Joplin, MO with a total weight of 33.45 pounds. Darrell and John said they made trip up the Osage River to catch their fish. They said their key was the creek channel banks using spinner baits and jigs. Darrell is sponsored by Smithville Marine, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Motors, and Jim Rush GMC. John is sponsored by Procraft Boats, Mercury Motors, Alber Marine, and Knuckledown Lures.
Rounding out the top five places. Boat 11 came in 4th place Jerry McCutchen of Camden, MO and James Edge of Pittsburg, MO with a weight of 32.36 pounds. In 5th place was boat 42 Jerry Cramer of Independence, MO and George Lawler of Edwards, MO with a weight of 31.40 pounds.
Big bass on Saturday weighing in at 7.87 pounds and good for a $3000 check went to Don Cunningham and Lee Lengel. Don and Lee said they were using Allstar Rods rapped with 17# P-Line rigged with a Manns C-4 square billed crank bait to hook up with this toad. They said the fish came in about 2-4 foot of water while fishing in the Tebo arm.
Big bass on Sunday weighing in at 6.59 pounds and good for a $3000 check went to Jason Coan and Brad Compton. Jason and Brad said were fishing in the Grand River. They were using brush hogs in 2 foot of water.
All said and done what an awesome event. The Shriners put on a heck of a tournament and what a great cause. All of this done to help children. Jack Everly, Jerry McCaslin, Maurice Camerlynck and their staff done a fabulous job putting on this tournament. The Shriners would like to thank all of their sponsors, because without them this tournament would not go on. The boats donated by Champion Boats powered by donated Mercury Motors. The guys at Midwest Marine who make them see worthy. The list goes on. As of Sundays weigh in there were already 150 boats registered for the 2009 event. If you enjoy Truman Reservoir and charity tournaments this is another great one to fish.
I hope to see you all their next year! As always any suggestions or questions please send me an email. To see all the photos click on "view slide show".
