Brett Boldrey and Mike Pitchford best the field!
Rend Lake, Sep. 22-23, 2007, by Duke Jenkel

Skies:  Sunny
Wind:  South Southwest 5 mph (both days)
Temperature: Low 66 High 90 (both days)

The 2^nd annual Chad Morgenthaler Bass Tournament took place on September 22^nd and 23^rd at Rend Lake in Ina , IL .  68 teams of anglers took to the water on a gorgeous Saturday morning in search of five Rend Lake heavyweight bass.  At the conclusion of Day 1 anglers Dan McDowell and Eric Ballinger set the mark at 15lbs and 15 oz, right behind them was the team of Brett Boldrey and Mike Pitchford with 15 lbs 7oz, setting the stage for a very interesting Day 2.  The team of McDowell and Ballinger also had the day’s biggest fish.

Day 2 began with anglers enjoying more beautiful weather.  It was evident to see that again the Rend Lake bass had cooperated as many anglers brought five fish limits to the scale.  When the dust settled it was the team of Brett Boldrey and Mike Pitchford who took the win with a two day total of 27 lbs and 9 oz.  In a big move, the team of Neil McCord and Stephen Sizemore caught 15 lbs 8 oz on day 2 to move into second place. 

A special thanks to all of those who competed as well as to the major sponsors:

Jasper Engines and Transmissions
Franklin County Tourism Bureau
Ranger Boats
Yamaha Motors
Rend Lake Resort

The top Three places were:

First Place Photo (Brett Boldrey and Mike Pitchford)

Brett Boldrey and Mike Pitchford caught the tournament winning stringer of 27 lbs 9 oz  On both days the team reported catching fish all day.  They targeted rocks in the 3- 8 foot zone in the mid-lake region using Bagley crankbaits and a shaky head. They stated they caught fish all day long during both days of the tournament.  B & B Labradors sponsor their team.  

Second Place Photo (Neil McCord and Stephen Sizemore)

The team of Neil McCord and Stephen Sizemore came in second with 26 lbs 10oz.  They caught their fish targeting rock and wood in the mid-lake region, using crankbaits and spinnerbaits.  They caught fish all day long on both days.

Third Place (Lonnie Bowlin and John Mocaby)

The team of Lonnie Bowlin and John Mocaby hauled in a two-day catch totaling 25 lbs and 4 oz, good enough for third place.  They caught their fish in the mid-lake and upper end areas of the lake in 1-3 feet of water targeting rock and wood with spinnerbaits and crankbaits.  The team reported catching their fish in the afternoons on both days of competition.  Ziegler Feed Store, Benton Carpet and Harrison ’s Sport Shop sponsor this team.  

Day 1 Big Bass  Dan McDowell and Eric Ballinger

Day 2 Big Bass  Ron Robinson and Matt Swalls

1st  Brett Boldrey Mike Pitchford                          27lbs 9oz
2nd Neil McCord and Stephen Sizemore              26lbs 10 oz
3rd Lonnie Bowlin and John Mocaby                    25lbs 4oz
4th Dan McDowell and Eric Ballinger                  24lbs 2oz
5th Greg Berner and Rick Byrnes                        23lbs 10 oz
6th  Jason Hodge and Bill Draper                         23lbs 5oz
7th  Kenny Hemmin and Gene Thoele                  22lbs 0 oz
8th  Brad Schoenrock and Bill Wooden                21lbs 13oz
9th  Terry Wilson and Bob Craig                          21lbs 11oz
10th Dwayne Neal and Dennis Robbins                21lbs 4 oz