July 24, 1999
Geneva State Park

Doubts arose once again, as a line of thunderstorms moved over Geneva State Park just hours before the scheduled take-off time of 7:00am. 
Fortunately the system passed to the south, yielding to bright skies and a slight breeze.

With the final qualifying event underway on schedule, the 23 teams set off to the fishing grounds 16-22 miles offshore.  Previous reports had the anglers fairing quite well in the 2-3 day practice period.

"We finally hit one at the right time since Port Clinton," said tournament director Dave Kidd.  "The fish are definantly here and on the bite."

As the 4:00 pm weigh-in commenced, it was clear that the predictions were accurate.  It would be a close race to the finish.

After the last fish was weighed, long time Lake Erie Veteran Jim Stedke of Wapakoneta, Ohio and partner Steve Sherbondy of Newbury, Ohio claimed the victory with a five-fish limit weighing 35.29 pounds.  The duo used crawler harnesses and dipsey divers to take their fish from the depths.

"Steve's boat is equipped with a Fish-Hawk which gives the temperature and speed at the bait, allowing us to position the bait right above the thermocline and at the proper speed," Stedke explained from the stage to the more than 75 on-lookers.

The team earned the $735.00, 1st place check, the $600.00 LEMTA bonus, and the $140.00 option 20 cash pool and award plaques.
 

Claiming second, following a third place finish at Fairport Harbor on July 11, was Rich Verbic of Mentor, Ohio and Jon Ondo of Painesville, Ohio with a five-fish limit weighing 34.46 pounds.  The team received the second place plaques along with a check for $435.00 and the additional $200.00 LEMTA bonus. 
 
Third place went to the father/son team of Bill & Jeff Becker of Groveport, Ohio with  their limit weighing 32.67 pounds.  The team earned their plaques and a check for $335.00.

Fourth place went to the team of John Gribble of Perry, Ohio and Matt Peet of Geneva, Ohio weighing a limit of 31.37 pounds, earning them a check for $235.00

Teams finishing in the 5th-10th place spots received merchandise prizes for their efforts.

The Reef Runner Big Fish Pool was won by Don Nagel Jr. of Avon, Ohio and Tom Puskarich of Avon, Ohio. with a walleye weiging a respectable 9.30 pounds.  They took the cash pool worth $220.00 .

After the weigh-in festivities, tournament director Dave Kidd reminded all contestants that the district championship would be held on August 21-22 at Fairport Harbor, Ohio.  There is a mandatory rules meeting on Friday, August 20th at 7:00pm. 

"This event will be open to all anglers, but only those competitors which qualified for the event will receive points", explained Kidd.  The District Championship is actually a double point qualifier for the National event to be held in early October in Baudette, MN.  Only the top ten teams from each district will qualify for the $50,000 event.

Our 1999 circuit sponsors include:

Lake Erie Marine Trades Association, United States Fishing Association, Ranger Boats, Diehard Marine, Levi-Garrett/Kodiak, Johnson/Evinrude Outboards, Fle-fly Manufacturing, Rays Custom Tackle, Kustom Kreations, Reef Runner Fishing Lures, Church Tackle, Stamina Quality Components, Cisco Rod Holders, Akro-Mils, Snagaway Lure Retrievers, Aqua-VU, and Pinpoint Positioning Systems.