Internet Buddy Bass Tournament: January 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

IBBT 2003 - Rally @ The Rock

The 3rd IBBT
April 12 & 13, 2003

It was time again to meet up with all your online fishing buddies from all over the nation. Twelve states including Missouri, Arkansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Colorado, New Jersey, Michigan and Idaho were all represented at this year’s event. Many old faces and several new face joined in on so great fishing, food, and of course lots of lies!

You could not have picked any better weather conditions to be out on the lake for a beautiful weekend. But as the case usually is, enjoyable weather doesn’t always mean good fishing weather. From Wedneday until Sunday, the weather stayed consistent with low to mid 80 temps, no wind and bright, blue bird skies.

This year’s event consisted of 1 and ½ days of fishing with a 6 fish limit each day for a combined total for the final weight. Big bass was split into 3 categories for each of the species of black bass. First place in this year’s event went to Dustin Daggett (djd) and Kevin Meyle (Curado Kev) from Michigan with 28.96 lbs. The northern boys came down and showed everyone that they knew how to catch fish on a southern reservoir. The made a long run each day several miles up the James River which also helped Dustin break in the new boat. They threw Wiggle Wart crankbaits in cuts of the main channels, concentrating on wood in 2 to 8 foot of water.

IBBT Sponsor representatives from BassCat, Ivan Williams and his partner Rob Williams finished second for the weekend with 26.29 #. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get in touch with Ivan to find out what he and his partner did to catch these quality fish. Thanks again to BassCat for their sponsorship this year.
Local fisherman Mark Miller and Jim Cunningham finished third with a 21.78 # total for the two days. They fished jigs, spinnerbaits and wiggle warts on channel swings in the Baxter to Shell Knob area. Mark explained they had to have wind to get bit. There sack also included Jim’s 5.98 # largemouth taking home that big bass category along with a Tactical Assault Curt Lytle Flippin' Stick.

Rounding out the top seven were Sean Hinton and Eric Ledger (13.06 lbs), Mike Szczechowski and Randy Racer (11.56 lbs), Steve Scales and Tim Austin (11.39 lbs) and Dale and Mark Jones (10.71 lbs) The spotted big bass division went to Dan Jackson with a 4.01 football. He stated he caught it in the back of a cove on a split shot grub. The smallmouth big bass division went to Daniel Swallow with a nice 4.10 fish. This brownie won Daniel a custom made rod from George’s Rod Building and Rod Repair.
Folks it was another great year. Table Rock and Lazy Lee’s Resort were GREAT hosts!! There are not many places in the country you can see a near 6 lb largemouth, 4 lb smallmouth and a 4 lb spot all weighed in at the same weigh in!
Thanks to ALL the sponsors for this year’s event. You really make this a special time. Also thanks to all the entrants who fished this year. Keep getting the word out on IBBT and next year bring a friend! On a personal note, I want to thank those listed above and also a great staff who helps me put on this event. It’s a ton of work and these guys (and gal) really make it seem easy. Jim Johns, Norman Corkle, Marc Adamsen, Dale and Sherry Jones, and this year's honorary staff member, Duane Erickson, thank you all!! Lastly, I hope everyone looks forward to this each year as much as I do. There’s nothing better than seeing some old friends and being able to fish a great lake!!! See you next year at IBBT 2004!!!!
IBBT Chairman Chuck Campbell (Fluker) & Staff

The intrepid staff of
IBBT 2003 - Rally @ The Rock!

L-R:
Jim Johns (KSBasser),
Chuck Campbell (Fluker),
Norman Corkle (Cranky®),
Marc Adamsen (Gunny A),
honorary 2003 staff member
Duane Erickson (Biiggdee), &
Sherry and Dale Jones (hookedonfishn)

The anxious participants mill around while waiting for takeoff. The Missouri State Water Patrol was also there to be sure everything went off safely.

Here's the hardware!!

A very special Thank You to Kit Lueg (mr2ndplace) for the IBBT logo and the great looking banner!

The Winners!!!

Dustin Daggett [djd] (c) and
Kevin Meyle [Curado Kev] (r)

accept 1st Place trophies from IBBT Chairman Fluker (l).

3rd Place finishers Jim Cunningham (c) and Mark Miller (r)

Jim also caught the big largemouth of the weekend -- 5.98#!!!!!!

That fish earned him a Tactical Assault Curt Lytle Flipping Stick courtesy of Everything Bass, Inc

Dan Swallow caught the big Smallmouth at 4.10#. His prize was a custom rod courtesy of George's Custom Rods and Rod Repair.

Dan Jackson (abc0001) caught a 4.01# Kentucky Bass for Big Kentucky honors.

One of the three tables at dinner Friday night.

Randy Racer, Dan Jackson (abc0001), & Buzz Wagner on the left:
On the right: Marc Adamsen (Gunny A) with his eyes closed, Norman Corkle (Cranky®) with the rabbit ears courtesy of KSBasser!, and Billy Karahalios (Brooklyn Bill) with the red, white & blue doo rag! If you ever hear Bill talk, you'll understand why they call him "Brooklyn" Bill!

The Hawg Haulers Club members from St. Louis area - we made them eat alone!!

Ken McNeil (Ranger Rider) and Brian Heinz (Yodaman) on the left, and Greg Heinz on the right.

Here is a pic of Brooklyn Bill waiting to weigh in his "bag". Maybe somebody should have told Bill that, here in the midwest, the word "bag" refers to "fish - in a bag".

IBBT 2002 - Rally @ The Rock

The 2nd IBBT
April 20 & 21, 2002

This year’s event was bigger and better than ever. The 2nd annual Internet Buddy Bass Tournament set a record for most entrants in a Missouri Rally with 33 boats entered in the event. The weather held out to be a beautiful weekend with only a slight sprinkle on Sunday afternoon. The wonderful Ozarks' scenery shined through as trees were beginning to bloom and nature was coming alive.

Many anglers arrived early for some pre fishing and extra time to meet up with other contestants. Anglers as far as Delaware (Biker) and as close as Springfield, MO (many) showed up in full force for a great event. Unlike the first event, many of the anglers already knew each other, and have fished with/against each other in previous rally's. By Friday evening, many familiar faces such as XChamp, Rocketman, Cranky, KSBasser, Reel Lady, Gunny A, BassmanIA, and many others had arrived and the long awaited Rally @ The Rock was underway.

Friday night many new faces were met and many past friendships were renewed. Lots of stories were told about family, friends, the trip down and mostly fishing lies. Many new faces were to arrive at the IBBT this year, with some of those being not only entrants, but sponsors too. Connie Kilpatrick formerly of Lake Fork Tackle Repair and her husband Tommy (better known to all as Killer) were ready to try their hand at the crystal clear waters of Table Rock.....(note, this is the same crystal clear water they would be cussing later on in the weekend :o) ). Tom and Steve Richardson of Bonzai Bait Company showed us how to catch some nice smallmouth, even though this was their first ever time actually fishing for smallies! Regulars to the IBBT and other Rallys, Kit Lueg of Kit Lueg Graphic Design (designer of the IBBT 200 logo) and Jim Johns of Heartland Tackle Repair were on hand to help present the great gifts that they had donated also. Other new non-sponsor faces included MarkG, Won Hunglo, Dangokie, wantafish and others.

Saturday morning came and so did the fog. A THICK blanket of fog covered Table Rock Lake from top to bottom. It was a tough decision, but takeoff was delayed for an hour. Finally the fog lifted and the Rally @ The Rock was underway. A beautiful day brought great fishing to some, not so great fishing to others, but a great time to all.

Jeff Scwendt and Dan Mrkacek of Kansas City, MO brought in a limit of Spots that tipped the scales at 15.01 lbs for 1^st place which also included the 3rd big bass of the day, as 3.44 Spotted (Kentucky) Bass. Jeff and Dan spent their day searching for beds in creek arms. Their winnings included plaques; prize money; 2 custom made Tactical Assault Rods; shirt certificates from Sewin Sam; baits from Lucky Craft, Culprit, Buck Creek, SOB, BA’s, AA’s, and Hurricoma; and some other great items.

Springfield natives Paul Betzold and Mark Ruggles captured 2^nd place with 6 fish limit weighing 14.24. Their limit was also entirely Spotted Bass. Paul and Mark found all there fish in Cow Creek and had most of their fish by early in the day. Mark and Paul are both sponsored by and run www.gofishingmissouri.com. Their winnings included plaques; prize money; 2 Angler Aerial Video certificates; baits from Lucky Craft, Culprit, Buck Creek, SOB, BA’s, AA’s, and Hurricoma; and some other great items from Culprit and Kick N Bass.

Father and son team of Mike and David Jankowski of St. Peters, MO claimed 3^rd place with 5 fish weighing 13.98 lbs. Included in the stringer was the days largest bass that weighed 3.88 lbs. Their winnings included plaques; prize money; baits from Lucky Craft, Culprit, Buck Creek, SOB, BA’s, AA’s, and Hurricoma; and some other great items from Culprit and Kick N Bass.
Fourth place went to 2 familiar Rally faces. Gary Schutt (Rocketman) and Chuck Billhimer (XChamp) brought in a 5 fish bag weighing 13.98 lbs. A 3.82 Smallmouth and the days second largest bass was included and brought in by XChamp. Their winnings included prize money; baits from Lucky Craft, M&N Tackle, Buck Creek, SOB, BA’s, AA’s, and Hurricoma; and some other great items from Culprit and Kick N Bass.

Two more area fisherman, brother Tim and Ken Austin took 5^th place with 6 fish weighing 11.71 lbs. Their winnings included baits from AA’s Optimum series, Buck Creek, SOB, BA’s, AA’s, and Hurricoma; and some other great items.

There was a tie for 6^th place between the team of Tom Kababik (Biker) and Roger Osborne (wantafish) and the Bonzai Bait Company team of Tom and Steve Richardson. Both teams brought in 4 fish limits that weighed 8.94 lbs. Biker and wantafish took the tiebreaker as the had the biggest single fish which weighed 3.08 lbs. Their winnings included baits from Buck Creek, SOB, BA’s, AA’s, and Hurricoma; and some other great items.

Trophies were given out to each of the fore mentioned big bass winners. Mike Jankowski also won a custom built JR Rod for the days largest bass.

The Intepid IBBT 2002 Staff

Standing L-R: Chris Leiting (iowabasser), Chuck Campbell (Fluker), Mark Adamsen (Gunny A), Dale Jones, Jim Johns (KSBasser); Kneeling: Norman Corkle (Cranky®)