Previous Next

Latest News

← Back to Latest News

USA Bassin Coffeen Lake Fall/Winter Division

Monday, November 09, 2009

                 Cordum and Klein

                        take first

                     2nd Big Bass 

USA Bassin Coffeen Fall/Winter Division held tournament number two this past Saturday. Tournament director Dan Blanton done it again, from start to finish another well-run tournament, of course that is with the help of the USA Bassin anglers. There were 21 teams who came out to take the Coffeen challenge. The water temp was about 58 degrees and slightly stained. It was a beautiful day, but a little breezy from the Southeast 10-15 mph. Blue bird skies all day long. A great day to be on the water! On with the stats!

First place went to the team of Terry Cordum of Maryville, IL and Steve Klein of Sorento, IL with a 5 fish limit weighing 9.18 pounds anchored by 2nd Big Bass of the tournament at a weight of 2.99 lbs. Terry and Steve are fishing Sunday so no questions were asked of how they accomplished their win. Good luck on Sunday guys.

Second place went to the check cashing team of Jon Rinderer of Greenville, IL and Scott Sautman of Pocahontas, IL with a 5 fish limit weighing 8.88 pounds. Scott said they keyed in on the famous Coffeen weed beds in about 5 feet of water. They fished the cemetery cove area to the north end of the lake. Scott said they were using billed crank baits ripping the weeds.

Third place went to the team of tournament director Dan Blanton of Caseyville, IL and his partner ME with a 5 fish limit weighing 8.77 pounds. We done what we do best and that is cover water in an attempt to touch EVERY moss reed with the bait we are using. The weed beds held the fish we caught. We caught the majority of them between 5-10 feet of water. We stayed in the cemetery cove area throughout the day using lipless crank baits. 

First Big Bass went to the team of Jack Watkins of Swansea, IL and Bill Dearworth of Troy, IL. Their check came from the fish weighing 3.84 pounds. Jack said he caught the fish on an E-Factor 3/8oz Flesh double willow leaf spinner bait in about 6 feet of water off a weed line in the midlake area.

 Fourth place went to the team of Rick McQuire and Barry Roland with a weight of 8.44 pounds.

I posed this question to several anglers, “This is USA Bassin’s second year here at Coffeen Lake. What do you think about the format of the USA Bassin Tournament circuit and how was the tournament run in general?” Here are several of the angler’s responses.

Jack Watkins stated, “I have been fishing tournaments since 1980. Almost 30 years has given me the opportunity to have seen it done right as well as "not so right". It is nice to show up at a boat ramp and have someone sincerely greet you will a positive attitude and upbeat outlook. In addition the "business" of the tournament was conducted swiftly and effortlessly. Rules and expectations of the event were clear and precisely laid out. Weigh in was speedy and efficient. Apparently there had been some concerns or at least it was unclear to some about the Classic qualifications and when it would be held. This also was clearly and smartly addressed and concerns answered. I found fishing the USA BASSIN Tournament at Coffeen a pleasure to fish. I can assure you that I will participate again at Coffeen and will consider looking at other divisions as well. For sure I will express my pleasure to other anglers as well.”

Angler Bill Dearworth stated, “I liked the format, and the friendly atmosphere that is portrayed, but still being competitive.”

And angler Bill Turner said, “Run very smooth. Fast weighin no standing and holding fish a long time. Good bunch of fisherman talking before and after having a good time.  Low cost not breaking the pocket in bad times. Division, regional and classic good format.”

The next USA Bassin Coffeen Lake Fall/Winter tournament will be held on December 12. The take off time will be 8am. Looking forward to seeing all of you again.

See ya on the water,

Mike Evanoff