Cold temperatures with high wind speeds at 15 – 25 mph and water 15 feet over pool with muddy and heavy currents challenged crappie anglers on Mississinewa and Salamonie Lakes as they fished the Crappie USA event this past Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Wabash, IN.
More than 70 anglers from several states were competing for the $6,505.00 in cash and prizes. They also had the opportunity to qualify for the Cabala’s Crappie USA Classic. This year’s classic will be held October 26 – 28, 2017 on Kentucky & Barkley Lakes at Paris, Tennessee.
Pro Division Results
Ron Bilbray from Anderson, Indiana and Tom Hankins from Indianapolis, Indiana from claimed first place in the Pro Division with a total weight of 3.18 pounds to earn $1,400.00, plus an additional $500.00 Ranger Cup Bonus, $500.00 Talon Bonus, $430.00 Big Fish and $300.00 Driftmaster Bonus. The team fished both Mississinewa and Salamonie Lakes catching most of their keepers in the area of the dam on Mississinewa in 8 feet of water using assorted artificial baits tipped with minnows to land 9 total fish for the day.
Due to technical difficulties no tournament photos were available, This photo of Bilbray and Hankins are from an earlier tournament.
Kris and Terry Mann, both of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky took second place with a total weight of 2.58 pounds and earned $600.00. The team started on Salamonie and caught two of their keeper fish, then they moved to Mississinewa, near the dam to catch the other five keepers using Crappie Magnets tipped with minnows.
Taking third place were Joe and Janette Carter, both of Gilbert, South Carolina weighing in at 2.05 pounds and earning $400.00. The team pushed yellow and white Jenko crankbaits in the dam area of Mississinewa Lake to catch a total of 4 fish for the event.
Amateur Division Results
Daniel and James Paul, both of Wabash, Indiana took first place in the Amateur Division with a total weight of 4 pounds and earned $1,000.00. The team fished Mississinewa Lake just in front of the dam in 10 – 15 feet of water, targeting pre-spawn females suspended in an area of water that was clearer than the surrounding areas. Team stated that live bait worked best for them to catch 14 fish on Saturday.
Taking second place was Bob Land of LaFontaine, Indiana and Steve Jeffers of Wabash, Indiana weighing in at 3.79 pounds and earning $500.00. The team fished Mississinewa Lake in 16 feet of water using live bait to land 16 total fish for the day.
Patrick Stone of Anderson, Indiana and Kevin Walters of Chesterfield, Indiana took third place of the event weighing in at 2.96 pounds and earned $400.00. The team also fished around the Mississinewa area near the dam in 17 – 20 feet of water using live bait to catch 16 fish for the tournament.
In fourth place was Joseph Rosinski and Luther McDonald, both of Peru, Indiana with a total weight of 2.86 pounds and earned $300.00. The team fished the Mississinewa area, near the dam in 17 – 20 feet of water to land 10 total fish on Saturday.
Montie Moore and Dan Taflinger, both of Kokomo, Indiana took fifth place weighing in at 1.87 pounds and earned $200.00. The team fished the Liston and Red Bridge areas with assorted colors of tube jigs in 8 – 10 feet of water to catch five fish for the day.
“Today was one of the toughest tournament days I can remember. High winds, muddy water, temperatures in the 40’s all contributed to the teams having to really dig deep in their bag of tricks to catch any fish at all. Flood waters dominate the entire lakes area and the high winds and floating debris have added to the challenge this weekend. I appreciated all the teams coming and competing under such horrible conditions” said Darrell Van Vactor, Operations Manager of Crappie USA.
National Sponsors of Crappie USA are: Cabela’s, Ranger Boats, Mercury, Mustad, B ‘n’ M Poles, Minn Kota, Humminbird Electronics, Gamma, Adventure Products EGO Nets, J.R. Mad’s, Charlie Brewer’s Slider Co., Big Bite Baits, TTI-Blakemore Road Runner, Driftmaster Rod Holders, World Fishing Network-WFN, Cumberland Crappie Double Seat Mounts, Church Tackle Company, Crappie Now on-line Magazine, Talon Shallow Water Anchors, Humminbird/Lakemaster Maps, Sunsect Sunscreen & Insect Repellent, Digital EFX Wraps, Gill Rainwear, AWD Baits, Tentnology, Crappie Magnet, Crown Trophy and Jenko Fishing.
The following companies furnish product to help make these events possible: Kodiak Fish Attractants, Rigrap and Keep Alive.
For more information call Crappie USA at 502-384-5924. Be sure to check out their website at: www.crappieusa.com and like their Crappie USA Tournament Trail Facebook Page. Both sites contain information on ourCUSA events, along with special information for crappie anglers everywhere.