2004 cARLYLE 



Mark Dill and Tim Pruett
Weigh In At 18.55lbs. on Carlyle Lake



   The fourth F.O.C.A.S. tournament of the season on Carlyle Lake had a delayed launch due to the rain, thunder and lightning passing over the 72 boats who competed on Saturday,June 12th. Forty-five of the teams brought fish to the scales at the end of the day. Six teams brought in a limit, but the grand total was only 98 fish being weighed.





    Bringing in one of those limits was the team of Mark Dill and Tim Pruett, both of Freeburg, IL. Catching all five mid lake, four on spinner baits and one on jig, they weighed in at first with 18.55 lbs. They worked wood cover in about two feet of water. This earned them $1,350 for their days work. In that limit was the winning First Place Big Bass at 5.83 lbs. caught on a white and chartreuse spinner bait adding another $432.00 plus a Wizard Rod, donated by F.O.C.A.S. sponsor Wizard Rods, Climax, MO. This team is sponsored by Superior Mortgage, Swansea, IL. Their grand total for the day was $1,782.





    Father and son team of Gerald and JJ Zmudzinski from Waterloo, IL and Tamaroa, IL took 2nd Place with a weight of 15.77 lbs.  Working the bushes in Allen Branch they had five of their seven keepers of the day before 8:30 AM. by using white or white and chartreuse spinner baits and red shad worms. Second place earned them a check for $970.00, plus another $288.00 for their 4.88 lb. Second Big Bass. This team lists their sponsors as their wives, Diane and Dawn, who were probably very proud of their winning team when they brought home at total of $1,258, plus and Outlaw Rod, from F.O.C.A.S. sponsor A to Z Outlet, Collinsville, IL.





    Third place, husband and wife team, Bob and Melody Swisher of Mulkeytown gave credit to God for their best day they have ever had on Carlyle Lake. Using tubes and spinner baits in the brushes in the mid lake area they caught 25 fish all day and brought five of those into the scale for 12.55 lbs. Leading the Spouse/Youth Division for Angler of the Year points the last three tournaments this team took home a check for $610. They are sponsored by Rend Lake Sporting Goods.

The following are the other winning positions for the event.





4TH PLACE, PHILLIPS AND BOSS, 5 FISH, 10.08 LBS $470.00






5TH PLACE, DAVIS AND WISSEHR, 5 FISH, 9.52 LBS $320.0O






6TH PLACE ,BRAND AND HEINEMAN ,4 FISH, 9.47 LBS $230.00





7TH PLACE, HELF AND REICHART, 4 FISH, 9.28 LBS $170.00





8TH PLACE, EBBMEYER AND STARK, 5 FISH ,8.74 LBS $120.00

     The day that started with rain, ended with a weigh-in in the hot sun, but the anglers enjoyed the free brats and draw prizes which is how all F.O.C.A.S. tournaments end. Thanks to all our sponsors who are generous and supportive and help make our events a success. Also, special thanks to the sponsors who fish our circuit with us, Todd Taylor (Taylor Marine, Belleville), John Winkelman ("Fishin' With Big John), Bill and Kim Slaton ( Open Season, Belleville), Robert Nosbisch (A to Z, Outlet,Collinsville) and Jim Jenkins ( Millstadt Storage, Millstadt.)

    For more information on tournaments and other F.O.C.A.S. events call
(618) 235-6373 or visit our web site at www.focasoutdoormagazine.org. F.O.C.A.S. continues to be "Fishin' With A Mission."