Father and Son Team of
Zmudzinski and Zmudzinski
Squeak Out First Place

1ST PLACE TEAM-J.J. ZMUDZINSKI AND GERALD ZMUDZINSKI

Rend Lake Proves to be Very Stingy Despite Unseasonable Warm Up

Tax Day Saturday April 15th mark F.O.C.A.S.’ third tournament of the season and their second Illinois lake outing. This event was held on Southern Illinois’ Rend Lake outside of Sesser, IL. This event was marked by a tough cold front passing through the weekend before the tournament followed by a record setting group of high temperatures during the week before the event. The 19,000 acre lake had been reported as being pretty tough during the earlier tournaments held here by groups such as the BFL and the BASS Weekender Series. Many hoped that the high temperatures would increase the fish’s activity and lead to big bags being brought to the scales.

F.OC.A.S. launched this year’s event from the Sailboat Harbor facility. After an orderly morning check end and opening event prayer it was time to send the 56 boat field out to see what they could do on this diverse habitat fishery. They spread out every where across the lake with some going far to the north in the hazardous tree and stump laden shallow head waters. Others head south to the clearer and cooler waters of some of the lower arms by the dam area. Still others opted to go to the Gunn Creek arm to see if they could master those little green fish. At 2:00 they began to filter back and unfortunately Rend Lake proved to continue her stingy way with the anglers.

Out of the 56 boats only 26 boats weighed in fish. After the tally was complete there were 4 five fish limits and they held the first four places in the tournament. There were 62 fish total weighed in so once you factor out the first 4 teams it was a shade less that a 2 fish per boat average. This is in contrast to last year’s event where it took 20 pounds almost to win and at least 10 pounds to cash a check. That is what makes these events interesting. To those who mastered the day the field takes off their hats to your ability to conquer those little green opponents.





1ST PLACE TEAM-J.J. ZMUDZINSKI AND GERALD ZMUDZINSKI

In 1st Place was a pair of well recognized faces in the F.O.C.A.S. circle of friends. The Father and Son team of Gerald Zmudzinski of Tamaroa, IL and J.J. Zmudzinski of Waterloo, IL have fished with F.O.C.A.S. for some time and can end up in the winner’s circle just about during any tournament. Last year they took home checks at the Carlyle event as well as at the Barkley Classic. Rend Lake was their event this year. They worked the southern end of the lake in the clearer water and had a five fish limit which tipped the scales at 13.29 pounds. It was anchored by their best fish of the day which was a 4.41 pound kicker but was just short of making one of the two Big Bass honors of the day. They caught their fish using mostly spinner baits on rocky banks and felt that the strength of their catch came on them finding a rocky shelf a little deeper where the fish were gathered up. One of their keepers did fall to a worm and another to a Brush Hog. They had three of their keepers fairly early but it was not until latter in the day did their better fish come to the boat. They are proudly sponsored by their wives Diane and Dawn who they said they could not do anything with out their support. Well the wives have to be a bit happier seeing that check for 1st Place of $1659.84 come home today.




2ND PLACE TEAM AND 1ST PLACE BIG BASS-
JASON THOMAS AND JEFF NOWLAND

In 2nd Place also with a five fish limit were the team of Jason Thomas of Mt Vernon, IL and Jeff Nowland of Waltonville, IL. Their total weight just fell short of the 1st Place mark with a total weight of 13.14 pounds. That disappointment however was offset by their kicker fish of 5.14 pounds for which they received 1st Place Big Bass Honors and a check for $336.00 and a new B&R OUTLAW ROD. In addition to the 2nd place check for $978.88 it was a good day all around for this team sponsored by Rend Lake Marina. They had worked the midlake region of the lake flipping tubes and Sweat Beavers to the flooded bushes. They caught their fish in about a foot of water most of the time and had 8 keepers across the day with about 2 or 3 short fish as well. The big fish came on a tube at about 11:30.




3RD PLACE TEAM-MIKE GOESMANN AND MIKE ANDERSON

The 3rd Place team took their 5 fish limit from an entirely different part of the lake. Another well known name in Southern Illinois tournament circles is that of Mike Goesmann of Sesser, IL and his partner Mike Anderson of Woodlawn, IL. They worked the northern end of the lake pitching spinner baits to the flood bushes and brush as well as using buzzbaits to amass their 11.27 pound stringer. They went up the Big Muddy on the east side bank to catch their fish which earned them $723.52 for this event. Mike is sponsored by Dunn’s Sporting Goods, Jetta Marine, Mercury Outboards, Wayne’s Props, and Rend Lake Sporting Goods.

Additional winners for this event were the following:

4TH PLACE HUIE AND FEICK 5 FISH 9.96 LBS $425.60

5TH PLACE STEIBEL AND HEINEMAN 4 FISH 9.13 LBS $297.92

6TH PLACE YARBER AND YARBER 3 FISH 9.08 LBS $170.24

2ND PLACE BIG BASS
KIRKSEY AND HUTCHISON 4.45 LBS $224.00

In keeping with the F.O.C.A.S. goal of “Fishin with a Mission” as well as keeping with our efforts to encourage families and in particular youth in participating in the sport of fishing the are proud to announce this year’s date for their KIDS FISHING DERBY.

It will be on Saturday May 6th at Bellevue Park near Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL. It is from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM and admission is free. There are three age divisions 0-7, 8-12, and 13-16. There will be awards in all three categories.

The paint ball booth and archery booth will be set up as well for the youth to participate. In addition this year there is going to be a special children’s drama based on the Wizard of Oz which will be presented. There is certainly some youth in these age categories that you know who would enjoy a day by the lake. Remember if you do not offer positive alternatives to our youth who will offer them to them. Make plans and come out and join a great time for the Kids and the family.

If you have any further questions give a call to (618) 235-6373.