Indiana Slab Masters
Established in November 2010 For Fun And Friendly Competition in a Club Environment
2013 Brookville Lake Tournament Story
This year's Brookville Lake Tournament had all the makings for a very close finish. Lots of crappie being caught close to the same size, and a Indiana Slab Master Membership that is getting more competitive every tournament. The Weather conditions were tough. A major cold front with heavy spring rains were quickly changing the water temperature and clarity. In the end, the winners won in dramatic fashion. With 3 minutes left to go in the tournament the team of Nate Noblitt and Lonnie Phillips caught the biggest fish of the tournament, a 1.47 lb. slab to give them the heaviest weight and become first time winners with a total of 6.09 lbs. Nate and Lonnie were spider rigging Lake Fork Sickle Tail baits tipped with crappie minnows in 20' of water fishing 14' down. Congratulations on your first win! Nate and Lonnie received prize money for first place, the big fish pot money and a $ 50.00 B'n'M gift card for the win!
Finishing in second place was the always tough team of Tom Hankins and Glenn Gill with a total weight of 5.64 lbs. Tom and Glenn were spider rigging in 4'-11' of water using Lake Fork Live Baby Shad and tubes tipped with bass minnows. Tom and Glenn have been in one of the top 3 positions in each of the 2013 tournaments so far, and are leading in the B'n'M Points Race. This finish will solidify their lead. Congratulations on your 2nd place finish!
Finishing in 3rd place was the team of Ron Bilbrey and Damon Phillips with a total weight of 5.60 lbs. Damon was unable to make it to this tournament and in order for Ron to collect the team points for the B'n'M Points race, Ron had to fish this event alone. Ron was spider rigging in 16' of water using Crazy Angler Baits tipped with minnows, with his 16' B'n'M Pro Staff Trolling rods, using Driftmaster rod holders. Great job fishing in the tough conditions alone and claiming your 1st top 5 finish of the year! Ron is our new Tournament Director for 2013, and has done an excellent job and the entire club has appreciated Ron's efficiency so far this year!
Finishing in 4th place and breaking into the top 5 for the first time this year was the team of Bret Cunningham and Josh Kleber with a total weight of 5.47 lbs. Bret also fished the tournament alone due to B'n'M Points Race rules. Bret was spider rigging in 9' of water 3'-4' down using Nothead Tackle baits. Bret gave his first and foremost thanks to God for blowing him off his spot and blowing him right into the his better fish. Congratulations on your first top 5 finish of the year!
Finishing in 5th place also for their first top 5 of the year was the team of Jim Raymer and Doug Sikora. Jim and Doug were vertical jigging with B'n'M Sam's Super Sensitive rods and fishing with Bobby Garland orange/chartreuse and Southern Pro Capps and Coleman black/chartreuse tubes tipped with shiners and bass minnows in 12'-20' of water. Great job to all the winners!
On a final note I would like to send out our thoughts and prayers to Royce Glick from the team of Don and Royce Glick. Royce had a medical emergency with his heart yesterday during the tournament, and after some very frantic moments in the boat, an ambulance got Royce to Reed Hospital in Connersville where he was transferred to Columbus Hospital on Sunday.
I would also like to thank all of the Indiana Slab Masters sponsors for 2013. B'n'M Poles, Southern Pro Tackle, Lake Fork Tackle, Driftmaster, Crazy AnglerTackle, West Side Bait and Tackle, Cumberland Crappie Custom Rod Holders, Hooked Fishing, Crappie Pro Tackle, and Juiced Up Baits. Our next event is at Patoka Lake on May 11, 2013. Keep and eye on the website for all the important information about this event. This tournament is a week before the Crappie USA tournament being held on May 18th, 2013. This was done intentionally to give our members the best chance of being the most competitive in this national event. Until then, good luck and good fishing!