JIM & MATT CARROLL take the win!
Shelbyville Lake, May 21, 2006, by Mike Black

JIM & MATT CARROLL, a father and son team, both of Hillsboro, Ill. won the 2006 Illini Team Trail Buddy Circuit – Bass Tournament on Sunday, May 21, 2006 on Lake Shelbyville. Competing against 69 teams, they brought 5 fish to the scales weighing 13.90 lb. caught on a green Zoom craw in about 6 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, Hamby’s Keel Protector Bonus; and were Ranger Cup qualified for $1,000, for a total of $3,700.00.

Big Bass of 6.54: Team of Jeff Scrimager of Mattoon, Ill. and Wayne Shaw of Urbana, Ill. This team also received a tackle pack and a certificate donated by “Affordable Tackle” of Odin.

2^nd Place: Travis Boley of Weldon, Ill. and Terry Potts of Clinton, Ill., 5 fish, 13.82 lb. 

3^rd Place: Josh & Melvin Argo, both of Taylorville, Ill. 5 fish, 12.96 lb.

4^th Place: Greg Coleman of Butler, Ill. and Dave Riggs of Coffeen, Ill., 5 fish, 12.49 lb.

5^th Place: Jason Jacobs of Gays, Ill. and Marion Cordes of Sullivan, Ill., 5 fish, 12.44 lb.

6^th Place: Jeff Scrimager and Wayne Shaw, 4 fish, 12.33 lb.
They also received each a gift certificate from Wessel’s Bass Pro of Teutopolis.  

7^th Place team of Toby Shafer of Sullivan, Ill. and Dennis Shiley of Sidney, Ill., 5 fish, 12.29, received tackle packs donated by “Prairie Outfitters” of Charleston, Ill.  

This tournament’s highlighted sponsors were “Bedford Sales” of Morris, Ill. & “Dual Pro” Batteries/Battery Chargers. Before early morning take-off coffee donated by “Standard Coffee” (represented by  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, Ill. 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 151 bass weighed in that weighed a total of 366.46 lb. There were 11 (5) fish limits weighed in that day.

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.

Next scheduled Tournament dates are 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; 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.