JEFF SCRIMAGER and WAYNE SHAW BEST THE FIELD!
Shelbyville Lake, April 9, 2006, by Mike Black

JEFF SCRIMAGER of Mattoon, Ill. and his team partner, WAYNE SHAW of Urbana, Ill. won the first 2006 Illini Team Trail Buddy Circuit – Bass Tournament on Sunday, April 9, 2006 on Lake Shelbyville. Competing against 67 teams, they brought 3 fish to the scales weighing 11.73 lb. caught on Rattletraps and D.T. 12 crank baits with a very slow presentation in 1 - 7 ft. feet of water.  They won first place prize money plus trophies by “Tender’s Engraving” of Lerna, a Solar Bat Bonus check for having on Solar Bat Sunglasses during the weigh-in, the ITT Decal Bonus, and also the Hamby’s Protector Bonus.

Big Bass of 5.64: Team of Robert Rice and Justin Rice (father & son team) of Normal, Ill. This team each received a nice tackle pack donated by “Affordable Tackle” of Odin.

2^nd Place: Rod Cooke and Kim Sapetti, (father & daughter team) both of Chatham, 2 fish, 6.43 lb. – This team also qualified for the Ranger Cup Bonus Money of $500.00.

3^rd Place: Robert Rice and Justin Rice, 1 fish, 5.64 lb.

4^th Place: Jason Waldschmidt of Pontiac, Ill. and Fred Meyers of Bloomington, Ill., 2 fish, 3.15 lb.

5^th Place: Jim Stevens of Springfield, Ill. and Craig Drone of Taylorville, Ill., 1 fish, 2.85 lb.

6^th Place: Travis Boley of Weldon, Ill. and Terry Potts of Clinton, 1 fish, 2.59 lb. They also received each a gift certificate from Wessel’s Bass Pro of Teutopolis.  

The 7^th Place team of Jerry Martoglio of Bloomington and David Fritts of Hudson, Ill. received a nice tackle pack donated by “Prairie Outfitters” of Charleston, Ill. 

This tournament’s highlighted sponsors were “The City of Sullivan” & “MinnKota Trolling Motors.” Before early morning take-off coffee donated by “Standard Coffee” (Darrell Juvinall) and donuts donated by ITT were available to the anglers. During weigh-in, there was soda pop, compliments of ITT and bottled water/ice, compliments of Howy’s Lakeside Food Mart of Sullivan. Drawing prizes were sponsor donated by Ranger Boats (Jason Parsons IL Rep); Setyr Fishing Rods (Lory Pontane); Solar Bat Sunglasses; Dual Pro Charging System, Mercury Outboards, and Mossy Oak Fishing Line.

There were a total of 12 bass weighed in that weighed a total of 37.38 lb. (All were released alive)

This is the sixth year for the Illini Team Trail whereas after six events on Lake Shelbyville, 40% of the average field will compete for a Classic Grand Prize of a new 2007 188 VS Ranger Boat, Ranger Trail Trailer, & a Mercury 150 H.P. Optimax Motor.

Tournament dates are May 21, June 25, July 16, August 13, August 27 and Classic - September 23 & 24. All tournaments are held on Lake Shelbyville and will weigh-in at 3:00 p.m. at Eagle Creek Ramp area & the Classic Lake will be announced later. For more information about the Trail, you may call Mike & Penny Black at 217/923-3098 or on the web site at www.illiniteamtrail.com.

Illini Team Trail Sponsors: Ranger Boats; Mercury Outboards; MinnKota Trolling Motors; Dual Pro Batteries/Battery Chargers; Lowrance; Hamby’s Keel Protector; The City of Sullivan; Reynolds Towing Service Inc. of Champaign; Miles Chevrolet of Decatur; Bedford Sales of Morris; Buell’s Marine of Canton; Lake Sara Marina Inc. of Effingham; Midwest Marine Inc. of Rantoul; Solar Bat Sunglasses; Setyr Fishing Rods; BassFan/BassFan Army; Affordable Tackle of Odin; Wessel’s Grocery & Bass Pro of Teutopolis; Prairie Outfitters of Charleston; Standard Coffee; Mossy Oak Fishing Line; Rejuvenade; Howy’s Lakeside Food Mart of Sullivan; Tenders Rubber Stamps Engraving of Lerna; Red’s Muffler Shop of Urbana; Black’s Insurance of Toledo; and Gateway Inn of Sullivan.