Catfish Tournament Season in Full Swing
Joe McCormick and Brent Torres hauled in five cats totaling 31.32 pounds to win the season-opening Ottawa Moose tournament, followed by Brian Espy and Kenny Luttrell, 27.86 lbs; Dan and Tiffany Dippel, 29.33; Mike Crickman and Buck Emmerling, 27.44; and Frank and Mark Sanders, 23.84.
The Illinois River tournaments resume with the Valley Bar & Grill tourney 6 a.m.-noon Sunday, June 23 at Barto Landing, according to the trail site, http://ivct.webs.com.
The $100 entry fee pays for 80 percent payout, lunch and chances at prizes.
Other tournaments: Maria’s Archway Tap 6a.m.-noon June 29 from any boat launch; Jack’s Bar Catfishing Tournament, 6 a.m-noon July 7, Barto Landing; Side Tracks Bar & Grill Catfishing Tournament, Hennepin boat ramp, 6 a.m.-noon July 21; and the Happy’s Super Service, trail point system championship from Barto Landing 6 a.m.-noon Aug. 11.
Illinois Valley Catfish Trail is a nonprofit tournament trail, Crickman and trail members note.
* While the Illinois Valley trail took a break last week, the Tri-County series at Peoria had 30 teams entered and a first-place total of 34.30 pounds June 15. That series’ next tournament is July 13 from Creve Coeur.
Source: News Tribune