History was made on May 31 as the Ultimate Challenge one pole event was held at Bucksaw Marina on Truman Lake. Sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine, Toyota Tundra, Blakemore Lures Road Runner, Spike It, Food Source, Clinton Tourism, Bucksaw Marine and Missouri Tourism the Ultimate Challenge brought 186 anglers out to compete for the title of The Ultimate Challenge Champion and $30,000.00 in cash and prizes. Rain during pre fishing with strong winds gave way to two beautiful fishing days for competition.
Day one brought plenty of excitement as teams took to the waters leaving from Bucksaw marina by trailer or boat after a live well check. Teams were tight lipped about their tactics and strategies during day one. Weighing in to take the day one lead was Proplite/Cajun Fryer team of Richard and Kyle Lindsey a grandfather and grandson team with a total of 8.90 lbs on seven fish. Second was Tracy McIntosh and John Woods with 8.47 lbs. Third after day one was Kent Braun and Russel Brown with 8.44 lbs. Fourth was Ed Bauman and Joe Fiddler with 8.42 lbs. Fifth was Bobby Garlands Ned Rutledge and Travis Mace with 8.39 lbs. Sixth was Charles Rogers and Kevin Rogers with 8.31 lbs. Seventh was Paul Gregory and Don Gregory with 8.22 lbs. Bass Pro Shops Mr. Crappie Wally Marshall and Jeff Heuman were eighth with 8.03. Nineth place was David Cox and Steve Hockett with 8.02 lbs. Tenth place was Mac Cantrell and Lige Bunderland with 7.91 lbs. Thirty six teams were within 2 lbs of the leader going into the second day. Big fish for the day was 1.96 lb crappie caught by Ted Ellsworth and Eric Hueste and held on to win the big fish competition for $1000.00. The top ten teams would take the hot seat on day two weighing in last.
Day two reversed the order the launch and anglers went to catch up with the leaders.
Robert Gier and Larry Jones had the top day two weight of 8.87 lbs. Followed by Steve Rogers and Jeff Lewis with 8.82 lbs, Charlie Rogers and Kevin Rogers with 8.72 lbs, Mr. Crappie Wally Marshall and Jeff Heuman with 8.59 lbs. and Marty Snider and Jackie Albin with 8.54 lbs.
Marty Snider and Jackie Albin began the final portion of the weigh in taking the hot seat after their strong 8.54 lbs on day two for a total weight of 16.15. The team gave up the hot seat to day one's third place team of Kent Braun and Russel Brown who weighed in 7.77 lbs for a total of 16.21 lbs. Mr. Crappie Wally Marshal and Jeff Heuman then took the hot seat with a strong day two of 8.59 lbs. and a total weight of 16.62 lbs. Charlie Rogers and Kevin Rogers took over the hot seat with a second day weight of 8.72 lbs and a total of 17.03 lbs. With the top four teams left to weigh in it came down to the final couple teams. Day ones Second place team of Tracy McIntosh and John Woods who weighed in 8.30 lbs. for a total of 16.77. Last up to the scale was day one leader of Richard Lindsey and Kyle Lindsey who weighed in 7.02 lbs for a total weight of 15.92 making Kevin and Charles Rogers The Ultimate Challenge Champions of 2008.
The Ultimate Challenge Champion father son team of Kevin Rogers and Charles Rogers won $7,000.00 dollars for their first place finish, $3000.00 Champion bonus and Bass Pro Shops VIP card. The team said they pre fished the osage area 90% of the time and had 4 coves but their 8-9 boats there all the time so they moved to the grand area and it paid off. They fished fast around trees with multible limbs pitching and straight jigging Bobby Garland jigs on Road Runner heads with custom blades. The Champion team fished all depths from 4 foot to 14 foot.
Second place went to Tracy McIntosh and John Woods with their 16.77 lbs on two days. The team stated they were casting and dipping deep banks with BnM Poles, Souther Pro Jigs and Road Runner. They were fishing very fast on day one and slowed down the second day as they felt they were moving away from areas to fast. The won $4,000.00 for second place and were presented a special Road Runner Gold Series award from Blakemore Lures for the top team using the Road Runner Gold Series.
Third place went to the grandfather-grandson team and day one leaders Richard Lindsey and Kyle Lindsey. The team fished slow around stumps working them 7-8 times before moving on, working the tree as if it was the only tree around. The team used Rocky Top jigs and Bass Pro Shops Slurpy jigs. The team fished 4 foot deep in 10-12 foot waters most of the time and fished the same osage area both days. The team earned $2,000.00 for their efforts.
Bass Pro Shops Mr. Crappie Wally Marshall and Jeff Heuman took fourth place moving up 4 spots after day one with a total weight of 16.62 lbs. The team was jigging with Mr. Crappie Signature Series Rods using Crappie Thunder jigs in 9 foot of water.
Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters paided down cash 20 places and prizes to 27th place. The tenth place team won $1,000.00 and the 20th place team won $500.00 for one of the best payouts in history. The event was Mc'd by Brad and Bryan of KMMO radio and filmed by Revive the Outdoors with Cody and Cody of the Sportsman Channel and will be televised at a later date.
