Illinois Walleye Trail~3rd Qualifier Results 3/18

[Adam Sandor]

Well, for the first time in quite a few events the Illinois Walleye Trail anglers had some beautiful weather for yesterday's 3rd Points Qualifier on the Illinois River. With all of this abnormal weather we have been experiencing the river seems to be a little ahead of schedule. Water temps are in the mid 60's which is roughly 20 degrees warmer than normal this time year. Resulting in the annual spawning run to be advanced by a week or two.

An astounding 71 teams set out yesterday morning from Barto Landing in Spring Valley, Il. looking for those big girls that have not yet spent their eggs. Naturally the females weigh more than the males, so they are the target this time of year.

Teams were using a variety of tactics from hand lining, pole lining, vertical jigging and trolling lead core in a variety of depth ranges. Many of the teams spoke of 30-40 keeper fish per day with and average size of 15-16".


The IDNR fish hatchery was on site to take all of the tournaments catch back to the hatchery to complete their spawning process. A total of 399 fish were brought to the scales. 91 of those were males and 272 were females and 34 of which had already spawned. Only two walleyes crossed the scale and no dead fish. Out of the 71 teams, 60 weighed a 6 fish limit!!!!


Congratulations to Randy Carroll and Shawn O'Malley for winning this event. Their 13.60 pound basket secured the win for $3,400. They also had big fish of the tournament a 3.22 sauger good for $710!!!!



2nd Place-Ryan Vecchia and Bill Elliot 6-12.99 $1,550

3rd Place-David Kolb and Rick Zachowski 6-12.80 $1,140

4th Place-Gary Merkel and Jason Wrosch 6-12.72 $950

5th Place-Dave Hall and John Smith 6-12.59 $800

6th Place-Chris Clemmons and Bob Hausler 6-12.58 $700

7th Place-Steve Sandor and Paul Durdan 6-12.43 $600 also $500 Lund Boats Contingency

8th Place-Steve Tyszko and Kenny Lookingbill 6-12.32 $500

9th Place-Ken and Dawn Dage 6-12.28 $400

10th Place-Brian Ernat and Doug Schlenz 6-12.23 $350 also $100 gift card Hennepin Marine

11th Place-Max Actis and Mike Stuckert 6-12.13 $300

12th Place-Dave Puetz and Jason Thies 6-12.01 $250

13th Place-P.J. Mathews and Aaron Willet 6-11.95 $220

14th Place-Joe Miller and Mark Barden 6-11.90 $200



I would like to thank all of our sponsors for all of their help: Hennepin Marine, Lund Boats, Mercury Marine, Doc's Custom jigs, Barb's Tackle and Woodstock Line.

Great job Randy and Shawn!!

[paeyes]

Congrats Shawn and Randy!! Well Done!

Kevin O'