LARRY MOREHEAD and JEFF STROUD Take the win!
Shelbyville Lake, July 16, 2006, by Mike Black

LARRY MOREHEAD of Decatur, Ill. and his team partner, JEFF STROUD of Warrensburg, Ill. won the 2006 Illini Team Trail Buddy Circuit – Bass Tournament on Sunday, July 16, 2006 on Lake Shelbyville. Competing on a very hot summer day against 62 teams, they brought 5 fish to the scales weighing 15.13 lb. They won first place prize money and plaques by “Tender’s Engraving” of Lerna, Ill., the ITT Decal Bonus, and Solar Bat Bonus, for a total of $2,260.00. Unfortunately Larry’s boat was in the shop so did not qualify for the Ranger Cup Bonus. Congratulations to this team!

Big Bass of 5.55: Team of Jason Waldschmidt of Pontiac, Ill. and Fred Meyers of Bloomington. This team each received a nice tackle pack donated by “Affordable Tackle” of Odin, Ill., plaques and prize money of $310.00.

2^nd Place: Travis Boley of Weldon, Ill. and Terry Potts of Clinton, Ill., 5 fish, 14.87 lb. This team was Ranger Cup Qualified for an additional $500.00. 

3^rd Place: John Theison of Danvers, Ill. and Don Seals of Paris, Ill., 5 fish, 14.56 

4^th Place: Toby Shafer of Sullivan, Ill. and Dennis Shiley of Tolono, Ill., 4 fish, 13.98 lb.

5^th Place: Bob Milanec of Champaign, Ill. and Butch Jones of Westfield, Ill., 5 fish, 13.69 lb.

6^th Place: Brian Plank of Pontiac, Ill. and Ron Houser of Bloomington, Ill., 5 fish, 13.46 lb. They received each a gift certificate from Wessel’s Bass Pro of Teutopolis and prize money.

Big Bass, 2^nd – 5^th place finishers received prize monies for their placing and plaques by “Tender’s Engraving” of Lerna.    

The 7^th Place team of John Wright of Shelbyville, Ill. and Rodney Egelston of Champaign, Ill., 5 fish, 12.65 lb. Each received a nice tackle pack donated by “Prairie Outfitters” of Charleston, Ill.  

This tournament’s highlighted sponsors were “Midwest Marine” of Rantoul, Ill. & “Lowrance Electronics”. 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, 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 160 bass weighed in that weighed a total of 395.15 lb.

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 Tournament dates are August 13 and August 27. The Classic - September 23 & 24 will be held on the Ohio River, Golconda, Ill. All tournaments are held on Lake Shelbyville and will weigh-in at 3:00 p.m. at Eagle Creek Ramp area. 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