Cordum and Bolton
Devastate Field

Second Major Win on
Ohio River System in Two Weeks
Reported by Jack Watkins

First off every boat that participated was able to bring at least one keeper to the scales. Everyone reported catching lots of short fish but there were also lots of at least 12 inch keepers caught as well with 10 five fish limits being weighed in for the event. The tough part for some had been being able to get on quality fish and not just keepers. The major species being brought to the scales were smallmouth and largemouth but some Kentuckies were present as well. There were a total of 82 fished weighed in for the event.

Dominating the event however were Terry Cordum of St. Charles, MO and Eric Bolton of Farmersville, IL. Last week they had dominated the Team Supreme event out of Galconda and this week they out distanced their nearest competitor by 5 pounds. They opted to run up the Cumberland and fished a Carolina rig using Critter Craws, a finesse worm, and a trick worm to entice their fish to the boat. They had a limit in the boat within 20 minutes of starting the morning and went through 30 keepers across a bite which ended at around 11:00 in the morning. Their main river channel pattern however netted them a five fish stringer which went 15.12 pounds and earned them a check for $912.00. In addition they also had the 2nd Place Big Bass for the day with a 5.03 smallmouth which brought an additional $96.00 to their winnings. They are proudly sponsored by B&R OUTLAW RODS, East Side Marine, Springfield, IL, and Stratus Boats.

1ST PLACE TEAM AND 2ND PLACE BIG BASS
TERRY CORDUM AND ERIC BOLTON

The 2nd Place team decided to go up the Tennessee River and concentrate their efforts. Chris Dam of Belleville, IL and Sean Ellison of St. Charles, MO are regulars at the F.O.C.A.S events. They worked barge tie ups and current breaks in the River to catch 7 keepers for the day and the best five fish lit up the dial at 10.22 pounds. They had a limit early as well having their first 5 in the boat by 8:00 AM but also said the bite really tapered off for them after that. Their main baits were a Pop R and a finesse tube and they earned them a check for $550.00. They are sponsored by Lewis Boat and Marine of St. Charles, MO and Shamel Auto and Tire of Bridgeton, MO.

2ND PLACE TEAM-CHRIS
DAHM AND SEAN ELLISON

Opting to stay on the Ohio River but locking up into the Smithland Pool were Jack Watkins of Belleville, IL and Jerry Rapp of Farmington, MO. They worked one creek and numerous spots and openings on the main River. They threw everything in the tackle box at them and had 6 keepers across the day. They caught them on spinner baits, a jig, a worm, top water, crank baits, and two critical keepers came on an EIRON BREAKER CHATTER HAMMER. The best 5 at 10.04 pounds weighed enough to secure them a check for $364.00. Jack’s sponsors include Leisure Time Pools of Swansea, IL, Scenic River Boats and Motors, Bonne Terre, MO, B&R OUTLAW RODS, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses and Sportswear, Islamorada, FL, and Mid America Outdoors. Com (MAOUT.com).

3RD PLACE TEAM-JACK
WATKINS AND JERRY RAPP

The B&R OUTLAW ROD BIG BASS for the event went to the team of Lillian Stelzer and Ray Contivo both of Columbia, IL. They had run up the Cumberland River and were using a Carolina Rig with a watermelon and red Baby Brush Hog on rip rap when at about 12:30 the lunker smallmouth grabbed on. The 5.05 pound fish earned them a B&R OUTLAW ROD and a check for $144.00.

B&R OUTLAW ROD BIG BASS
LILLIAN STELZER AND RAY CONTIVO

The final 2006 tour event for
F.O.C.A.S. will be held on
Saturday, July 22
at the Piazza Ramp on the
Mississippi River on the Alton Pool.


The F.O.C.A.S. Classic will be held at
Table Rock Lake on August 4 and 5.