Internet Buddy Bass Tournament: IBBT 2002

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®)