The Illinois Walleye Trail began its 14th year conducting tournaments. The 2009 season opener was held at Hennepin, Illinois November 2, 2008. The teams were treated to a complimentary dinner, provided by Hennepin Marine, Saturday evening before the rules and orientation meeting.
The teams arrived Sunday morning and found ideal weather conditions, daytime temperature high in the mid 70’s and light and variable wind. Water conditions were ideal, 1′ to 1 1/2′ clarity and surface temperatures around 49 degrees.
The Saugers must have heard about the Saturday night dinner because the feedbag was on. The 51 teams brought in 46, 6 fish limits to the scales, weighing a total of 553 pounds for the 287 fish. With $7250.00 payout money on the line, plus loyalty sponsorship monies, the team of Jim Melton, Wyoming Illinois and Rick Funcannon, Lacon Illinois, brought in a limit scaling 17.45 pounds, earning them $2750.00 plus $250.00 loyalty bonus compliments of Hennepin Marine as the first highest placing Lund boat owners. Capturing second place, Max Actis. Spring Valley Illinois and Mike Stuckert Spring Valley Illinois weighed a limit of 16.01 pounds, earning them $1425.00 along with a $100.00 gift certificated from Hennepin Marine for the second highest placing Lund boat owners. Third place honors went to the father and son team of Steve Skupien and Jeremy Skupien, Frankfort, Illinois for a limit weighing 15.88 pounds, earning them $1000.00. Compliments of EZEE Step, Princeton, Illinois Paul Dimock and Guy Lopez received the $100.00 for highest placing boat with EZEE Step equipment, they also were the fourth place team with a limit weighing 15.04 pounds for an additional $775.00. Big Fish honors went to John Smith Monmouth, Illinois and Dave Hall Oglesby, Illinois with a 3.5 pound Sauger earning them $510.00 plus a 10th place finish for an additional $200.00.
We would like to thank our fine sponsors, Hennepin Marine, Lund Boats, Mercury Marine. EZEE Step, and Cabela’s.
The Illinois Walleye Trail next tournament will be at Henry, Illinois November 23, 2008. Complete results, point standings, and applications can be found at http://www.prairielandeyes.com or contact Bob Kidd 309-527-6328 or email [email protected]