A stretch of near record breaking temperatures and then two major storms just days before the season final for the F.O.C.A.S. 2006 season certainly made those attending not sure of what they might be facing coming into the event. Many area communities were dealing with power outages, boil water orders, and storm debris. What effect it might have on the fishing was yet to be seen.

The fifteen boat field arrived early and was on the water ready to go even before the start of the pre meeting. After touching base on the tournament rules and guidelines and everyone participating in the morning prayer the field took off to see how they might be able to out wit the little green monsters. For the fishermen they found it to be a delightful day. A cool morning and comfortable breezes all day in connection with a lower temperature for a high and reduced humidity made for a great day to be out.

After eight hours of fishing the teams began to check in and results were very mixed. The reports were of fish caught but no one claimed to be packing any quality fish. A young man who did well at the Barkley F.O.C.A.S. event and his alternate for this event however did better than any of the rest and took the 1st Place position easily with a 5 fish stringer weighing in at 7.03 pounds. Joey Bardill of Highland, IL and his alternate Larry Dively also of Highland worked the main river in the Grafton area to catch their winning stringer. Joey reported to me that he caught one of their keepers in about 14 feet of water on a jig and that they caught the rest of their fish on spinner baits and crank baits. Their efforts earned them $684.00. Larry is sponsored by Nameoki Marine and Dunn’s Sporting Goods.

1ST PLACE TEAM
JOEY BARDILL AND LARRY DIVELY

Coming in 2nd was a father and son team whom has always done well in F.O.C.A.S. events held on the Alton Pool. Bringing in the only other 5 fish limit were Fred and Brian Hubler of Columbia, IL. Fishing main river points they caught about 12 fish all day. One of their keepers came on a rattle trap and the other 4 on a Senko. Around 11:30 they had a little hot streak and caught a lot of their fish in a relatively short period. Their stringer of 6.43 pounds brought them a check for $456.00.

2ND PLACE TEAM
BRIAN AND FRED HUBLER

The B&R OUTLAW ROD BIG BASS award went to the team of George and Marty Fudge. Fishing a pile of brush collected on a spot where the channel broke they caught the biggest fish for the day on a spinner bait. Besides a B&R Outlaw Rod, the 2.91 pound fish earned them a check for $90.00. They are sponsored by Brush Hawg Lures, Aries Boats, and G&J Marine of Smithton, IL.

B&R OUTLAW ROD BIGG BASS
MARTY AND GEORGE FUDGE

The last person cashing a check for the day was Dennis Shelton with the 2nd Place Big bass at 2.69 pounds for a check of $60.00.

F.O.C.A.S. will be holding our Classic for the 2006 season at Table Rock Lake on August 4 & 5. For official results and point standings Click Here