To say “It was a tough day on the pond” may be one of the biggest understatements of the year!
34 teams came out to do battle, not only against each other, but also against a VERY stingy Mark Twain lake.
Only a total of 35 fish were brought to the scales and NO team managed a five fish limit!
Taking the top spot today was the team of Travis Wilson and Caleb Shoemacker. Travis and Caleb pointed their boat to the East and ran down towards the dam area of lake. The team quickly found success fishing a big worm on main lake points in 5 to 15 feet of water and had 3 quality fish in the box by 9am. As the day went on both quality and quantity of bites dropped to almost zero. The team tried changing tactics and locations, even running back through the points where they started the day, but keepers 4 and 5 never showed up. Travis and Caleb brought their 3 keepers to the scales, not thinking their weight would even put them in the check line, when the weight was called, 3 fish for 10.42 pounds, I told Travis they had taken the lead he was like, “Say What?”.
Finishing in the runner-up position was the salty team of Keith Hendrix and Greg Zumwalt. Like the winning team, Keith and Greg found early success, fishing main lake spots on the lower portion of the lake. The teams bait of choice was a Junebug colored Trick Stick from Big Bite Baits, fished in 8 to 12 foot depths. The teams 3 fish weighed in at 10.19 pounds. Included in their bag was the second big bass of the tournament, weighing 4.79 pounds. Keith also picked up Highest finishing Skeeter Honors fishing out of his 2021 ZXR20. Keith and Greg are sponsored by 154 Marine, Hobbie Hut, Mark Twain Lake Lure Company, Indian Creek Marina, JC Auto and Truck Parts, Dyna Gro Seed, Gene Larew and Jack’s Harbor Marine. Keith also wanted to let everyone know that Fall is right around the corner and Mark Twain Lake Lure Company has the spinnerbaits and vibrating jigs you will need. Go to www.marktwainlakelures.com to check them out!
Rounding out the top 3 was the defending points champions Charlie Kunkle and Keith Williams. Charlie and Keith focused on isolated brush piles near drop-offs on the lower end of the lake in 7 to 18 feet of water. Their baits of choice were a big worm and a finesse jig. Keith said you had to have confidence in the spot, as it took as long as 30 minutes to get a bite. Charlie and Keith brought the most fish to the scales, 4 for 9.38 pounds.
Finishing in the 5th spot with 2 fish for 7.44 pounds was the team of Steve Weber and Sam Phillips. In their 2 fish bag was the Napa Auto Parts Big Bass weighing 4.89 pounds. Steve said the fish was fooled by a Carolina rigged creature bait.
Our next and final 2023 Mark Twain Lake tournament Sponsored by 154 Marine will be Sunday, August 6th. Registration and weigh-in at 154 Marine. 6am take-off at Robert Allen Ramp. This is an open tournament with no membership required.
We will also begin taking deposits for the 2024 season. Pending dates are; 5/5, 6/2, 6/30, 7/14, 8/11.
Host lodging for Joe Bass Team Trail at Mark Twain Lake is Country Inn Resort. (573)267-3800.
Photos
Results
| Place | Team Members | Fish | Pnlty | B/F | TotWgt | Pts | Payout |
| 1 | Travis Wilson – Caleb Shoemacker | 3 | 4.5 | 10.42 | 220 | $2,130.00 | |
| 2 | Keith Hendrix – Greg Zumwalt | 3 | 4.8 | 10.19 | 219 | $1,480.00 | |
| 3 | Charlie Kunkle – Keith Williams | 4 | 3.7 | 9.38 | 218 | $690.00 | |
| 4 | Dennis McFetridge – Scott McFetridge | 3 | 3.7 | 7.85 | 217 | $400.00 | |
| 5 | Steve Weber – Sam Phillips | 2 | 4.9 | 7.44 | 216 | $450.00 | |
| 6 | Jim Coyner – *Mike Watawa | 2 | 4.4 | 6.86 | 215 | $184.00 | |
| 7 | Preston Hartung – Justin Anderson | 2 | 5.13 | 214 | |||
| 8 | Jason Kiser – Deno Ek | 1 | 4.5 | 4.54 | 213 | ||
| 9 | Steve Chiaurro – Richard Dannegger | 2 | 3 | 4.48 | 212 | ||
| 10 | Dominic Perotti – Nick Perotti | 2 | 4.24 | 211 | |||
| 11 | Don McFetridge – Gary McFetridge | 2 | 4.14 | 210 | |||
| 12 | Ron Mellinger – Colton Mellinger | 2 | 0.5 | 3.77 | 209 | ||
| 13 | Jake Morrison – Richard Morrison | 1 | 2.7 | 2.66 | 208 | ||
| 14 | Chad Denningmann – Kurt Denningmann | 1 | 2.5 | 2.54 | 207 | ||
| 15 | Alan Hoyt – John Summers | 1 | 2.5 | 2.49 | 206 | ||
| 16 | Eric Power – Chris Power | 1 | 2.4 | 2.44 | 205 | ||
| 17 | Josh Gebhardt – Ross Lord | 1 | 2.3 | 2.26 | 204 | ||
| 18 | Gary Koenig – Robin Hessling | 1 | 1.8 | 1.83 | 203 | ||
| 19 | Brad Dooley – Gerry Salfen | 1 | 1.8 | 1.77 | 202 | ||
| 20 | Rick Beard – Rian White | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Matt Bryant – Andrew Bergfeld | 0 | 20 | |||||
| Joel Eversmeyer – Jeremy O’Dell | 0 | 20 | |||||
| Lonnie Franklin – Bob Peneston | 0 | 20 | |||||
| Gary Grzybinski – Mick Buchanan | 0 | 20 | |||||
| Tom Herndon – Jason VanBeers | 0 | 20 | |||||
| Tom Jasper – Tanner Worley | 0 | 20 | |||||
| Matt McCullough – Scott Arensmann | 0 | 20 | |||||
| David Meyers – Steve Schaefer | 0 | 20 | |||||
| Donnie Palmatory – *Kenny Grothoff | 0 | 20 | |||||
| Jason Rehg – Rustin Ryan | 0 | 20 | |||||
| Wayne Werle – Nick Werle | 0 | 20 | |||||
| Michael Wible – John Rucker | 0 | 20 | |||||
| Justin Wright – Pat Estes | 0 | 20 | |||||
| Phil J Zimmerman – Phil M Zimmerman | 0 | 20 |
*alternate