May 6, 2006
Mark Twain Lake, Perry, MO.
Rutledge and Mace win Mark Twain
Bass Pro Crappie Masters held its second leg of the Missouri State Championship at Mark Twain Lake on May 6th, 2006, where 214 Anglers competed in the national qualifier and 2nd leg of the Missouri State Championship. 42 teams were from out of state representing 12 different states.
A cool front moved in during the pre-fishing week and left a chilly tournament day morning that brought gusty winds during the day. Most anglers stated they were catching a lot of fish, yet the larger ones were hard to come by.
Team Ned Rutledge and Travis Mace weighted in 6.30 lbs on seven fish to be named Mark Twain Lake Champions. First place brought them 2 Arctic Cat 4 wheelers valued at over $12,000.00. The team stated they "fished the mud lines and landed a lot of fish, We stayed in the spot all day and slowed our lines down. We found the fish to be on the bottoms." While big fish eluded most anglers, team Rutledge and Mace also landed a 1.39 lb crappie to take 2nd place big fish honors.
Second place team of Joseph Hartley and Ken Wilson brought in 5.94 lbs. and $3,000.00. Hartley and Wilson said they found the same conditions with fish on the bottom.
Charles Rogers and Kevin Rogers took third place and $1,500.00 with a total of 5.64 lbs. "We fished with 10 ft. outlaw poles with 8oz orange heads and chartreuse jigs. We fished cedar trees all day long".
Just a handful of teams weighed a big fish, including the top three teams. John Martens and Steve Perotti won the big fish competition with a crappie weighing 1.5 lbs.
A tie for fourth place was between team Jeff Mayfield and Robbie Mayfield and team Lynn Beckwith and Daniel Lynn with each having 5.38 lbs.
Team Greg Webster and Aaron Nelson aligned themselves at the top of the Missouri State Championship qualifying totals. Their 2 event weight of 13.99 lbs. combined ousted team Dianne Stevens and Lonnie Stevens whose two day total equaled 13.53 lbs.
The Kid’s Rodeo was held Saturday morning at South Fork Resort, where 28 kids fished the stocked pond. The Missouri Conservation Department had stocked the pond well and most children were catching very nice fish. Favorite bait of the morning seemed to be hot dogs, which also became lunch as South Fork Resort cook hotdogs and provide food for the parents and children whom participated.
Mark Twain tournament was a National Qualifier with the top 20 teams qualifying for the National Championship worth $150,000.00 in cash and prizes. Bass Pro Crappie Masters next national qualifier tournament is held at Lake Rathbun, Centerville, IA. on May 20th, 2006.
Local sponsors bringing this National Qualifier tournament to the area include: South Fork Resort; Lake Village Motel; The Junction Restaurant & Lounge, Motel & Convenience Center; The Junction Hobbie Hut and Wholesale Bait; Mark Twain Lake Chamber of Commerce; Rustic Oak Cabin Restaurant; Chigger Hill Bait & Tackle; Jake's Sports Bar; Breadeaux Pizza; Paris National Bank; Redmon's Corner Café; Pepsi of Quincy; KWWR 96FM; West Perry Boat & Motor; DaNancy's Restaurant; Sid's National Bar & Grill; Lick Creek Outfitters; Hickman's Food Center; Bubba's; Cannon Dam Opry.
We also thank our National Sponsors: BASS PRO SHOPS, TRACKER BOATS, NITRO BOATS, ARCTIC CAT, MERCURY MOTORS, MINN KOTA, HUMMINBIRD, KEELSHIELD, GRIZZLY JIGS, TURBOSET, FISHERGIRL, ROAD RUNNER by BLAKEMORE, BIOSONIX, BUGBAND, PEROTTIBILT, MR. CRAPPIE, SLIDER, AMERICAN ANGLER, PORCUPINE ATTRACTANT, HYDROGLOW, SURE LIFE, BAGLEY BAITS, SPIKE-IT, KIGHT RIFLES, FISH HEDZ, KODIAK SCENTS, BOBBY GARLAND, KEEPALIVE, EMMROD, STANLEY WEDGETAIL, KASTAWAY KULIS , BUDWEISER, CRAPPIE UNLIMITED, MONSTER CRAPPIE, LOKINETS, THE WOODSHED, KASSWINNS, KASTAWAY.
Bass Pro CrappieMasters is a national tournament trail covering 12 states . For more information contact www.crappiemasters.net or crappiemasters@aol.com
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