2006 Lake Egypt
SIZEMORE AND
GROUNDS
1st AT F.O.C.A.S. 2006 KICKOFF
1ST PLACE TEAM AND 1ST BIG BASS:
BRENT SIZEMORE AND
HUNTER GROUNDS
F.O.C.A.S. kicked off their 2006 season with their usual
opener at Lake of Egypt in Southern Illinois just outside of Marion, IL. This
privately owned 2900 acre lake has a power plant situated on one end of the
impoundment and much of the other end lies in the Shawnee National Forest. It is
a very convoluted lake with a great deal of shoreline. It offers all kind of
fishing habitat from multiple points, rocky banks, heavy weed growth, standing
timber, lay downs, and humps and drops. One tough resident rule is a no fishing
rule within 10 feet of docks. Other than that it has a very good history of
producing good stringers of fish all season long and this tournament was no
exception.
There were 70 boats present at a cold morning take off. All
the docks and boat decks had a covering of frost and conditions were slippery.
Reports of good catches were abundant. There were indications that it would take
a big bag to get a check. During the morning registration a sack lunch was given
to each team and their take off positions. A short pre tournament meeting was
held and everyone was sent out to see what they could
achieve.
When check in time came there had been plenty of fish caught across the day by the reports coming in at the weigh in stand. Egypt has a slot limit. You can weigh in 4 fish per two man team from 12 inches but not touching 14 inches and then fish that touch or go over 16 inches. FOCAS has a fish limit so there was a combination of fish that could be weighed in for a limit. Besides the numerous limits brought to the stand they also reported catching fish all day that fell into the slot. Some spoke of this with frustration. It can be very difficult throwing back a fat 15 7/8 inch fish.
It was going to be a day however for the locals. Many of the top finishing names are well know fisherman from the area. The top finisher was a repeat fisherman from last year’s event.
1ST PLACE TEAM AND 1ST BIG BASS:
BRENT SIZEMORE AND
HUNTER GROUNDS
Hunter Grounds of Johnston City, IL teamed up this year with Brent Sizemore of Carter, IL and their weight far exceeded their next competitor. Early on they were only catching short fish but as the cloud cover came in the bite picked up for them. They were using jerk baits and Carolina rigs. Their best 5 fish hit the scales at 19.28 pounds and was anchored with the day’s Big Bass at 5.27 pounds. They caught the lunker on a Carolina rigged full size Brush Hog. To give you and idea of the quality of 4 of their fish one of their limit fish was below the slot and under 14 inches. So the rest of them were certainly quality fish. Hunter is sponsored by Tim Grounds Championship Calls. The day’s effort earned them a check for 1st Place of $2074.80 and a Big Bass check for $420.00.
2ND PLACE
TEAM-JERRY BATE AND SCOTT KIRK
In 2nd Place was Jerry Bate of Ziegler, IL and Scot Kirk of Sesser, IL. Jerry is sponsored by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Harrison Sporting Goods, Motorguide, and Dunn’s Sporting Goods. They caught their fish on spinner baits. They had one early and the rest latter in the day. Fishing all over the lake they found their fish in 45 degree water and they had 6 over 16 inches and lost one good fish as well. The fish they brought to the scales rang the dial at 16.16 pounds with their big fish being a 3.66 pounder. It was good for a check for $1117.20.
3RD PLACE
TEAM:
KYLE RADAKE AND ERIC NISWONGER
The 3rd Place team was made up of Kyle Radake and Eric Niswonger both of Cape Girardeau, MO. They have had a strong winter season on Lake of Egypt and continued on with this strong opening tournament. They were pretty concerned about 10:30 AM when things were not going to well. But after the clouds built up their bite came on for them. After 1:30 they caught 4 of their 5 keepers off one point on jigs in about 19 feet of water. With five good fish they tipped the scales at 16.07 pounds and their big fish was 3.76 pounds. They are sponsored by Southern Pro Lures from Arkansas, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses and Sporting Wear, and Fautz Hunting and Fishing from Cape Girardeau, MO. In addition Kyle is a reporter for Mid America Outdoors.com. There stringer earned them a check for $778.00.
Additional winners were as follows:
4th PLACE CLARK AND CLARK
5 FISH 15.83 LBS.
$512.00
5TH PLACE ATCHISON AND JENKEL
5 FISH 14.93 LBS.
$300.00
6TH PLACE GROUNDS AND MCKINNEY
5 FISH 14.68 LBS.
$246.00
7TH PLACE ZIEGLER AND ZIEGLER 5 FISH
14.63 LBS.
$192.00
8TH PLACE STROEBEL AND SHOOT
5 FISH 14.29 LBS.
$100.00
2ND PLACE BIG BASS MIKE GOESMAN
4.95 LBS.
$280.00
F.O.C.A.S. will have our next tournament on Saturday March
25, 2006 at Lake of the Ozarks and will be coming out of PB2. Our next
tournament in Illinois will be at Rend Lake on Saturday April 15,
2006.
Thanks to all who participated
either as anglers
or workers.