OSHKOSH, Wisc. - Brad Wall of Clarksville, Ohio, went into the final day of the BASS Federation Nation Northern Divisional with a comfortable 8-pound lead, but found the last-day of fishing more difficult.
It wasn't that he couldn't catch fish on Lake Winnebago, where the three-day bass fishing tournament was held. Instead, the issue was getting the bigger fish to bite.
"I had a limit of 2 ½-pounders that I threw back," Wall explained.
Such a decision was forced by Wisconsin's no-cull rule, which mandates anglers stop fishing once the fifth fish has been placed in the livewell. Wall stuck to his plan, which called for jumping from rock pile to rock pile in the northwest corner of the lake, to boat four bass that upped his total to 44 pounds, 14 ounces and sealed his win in the overall individual competition.
"The main factor was breaks on the rocks," he said. "I would throw (onto rock piles) in 5 feet of water with my boat in 8 feet. You had that good drop, with a hard bottom."
The best breaks were those that included beds of muscles.
"A lot of hits happened if you could throw over the muscle beds," he said. "They would hit it on the fall."
Innovative Sports Group (ISG) tubes in several colors were the only lures Wall threw during the tournament. He rigged the tubes on 3/8-ounce jigs, which were tied to 12-pound Seaguar 100 Percent Fluorocarbon. His retrieve was important, but there was no one technique that shined.
"I call it 'freestyling,'" Wall said. "Depending on which way the wind was blowing and how hard it was blowing, I might be dragging it or I might be hopping it along. It just depended on the conditions."
He said the changing weather, which went from hard overcast and calm the first day to partly cloudy on the second day to blue-bird and windy the final day, really didn't play a factor.
"I literally caught fish in practice in every weather condition but pouring rain," Wall said.
The reason the bigger fish didn't provide the opportunity for Wall to put five fish in the livewell on the final day probably could be found in a combination of factors, he said.
First, his area of the lake became progressively crowded through the three days of competition, increasing the pressure on the schools of smallmouth bass. But he also felt bass were simply not feeding as well.
"I think they fed so hard for us during practice, that they weren't hungry today," Wall said.
Wall not only won the overall title, he also earned a ticket to the BASS Federation National Championship scheduled for Kansas' Milford Lake in November by beating out his 11 other team members.
Rounding out the top five were Brady Farrell of Fort Atkinson, Wisc., with 36 pounds, 15 ounces; Brian Hensley of Edwardsburg, Mich., with 36 pounds, 11 ounces; Rick Billings of Rochester, Mich., with 34 pounds, 10 ounces and Bill Ludenia of Brainerd, Minn., with 33 pounds, 8 ounces.
Aside from the individual competitions, the divisional features anglers from eight states, with each competing for individual and team honors.
Joining Wall in earning qualifying berths to the BASS Federation National Championship were Illinois' Jim O'Malley, Brian Hensley of Indiana, Iowa's Terry Fitzpatrick, Kent Miller of Michigan, Minnesota's Rick Billings, South Dakota's Shane Oltjenbruns and Wisconsin's Brady Farrell.
In the team competition, Wisconsin climbed from third on the second day to the top spot with a three-day total of 278-7. It is the state's second consecutive divisional win, and its sixth in the past nine years.
Ohio ended up in third with 271-11, while Minnesota moved to second with 272-4. Wisconsin team members spent hours each night discussing strategy, but one of the local divisional qualifiers really closed the deal.
2008 Northern Divisional 08/13-08/15 Lake Winnebago, Oshkosh Wisc.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. Brad Wall Clarksville, Ohio (OH) 14 44-14
2. Brady Farrell Fort Atkinson, Wisc. (WI) 15 36-15
3. Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, Mich. (IN) 15 36-11
4. Rick Billings Rochester, Minn. (MN) 15 34-10
5. Bill Ludenia Brainerd, Minn. (MN) 14 33-08
6. Jim Barczak Fremont, Wisc. (WI) 15 33-05
7. Richard Lindgren Lakeville, Minn. (MN) 15 32-15
8. Chris Johnson Appleton, Wisc. (WI) 12 31-08
9. Todd Thompson Newark, Ohio (OH) 14 30-08
10. Shane Oltjenbruns Neligh, Neb. (SD) 15 29-14
11. Kent Miller Byron, Mich. (MI) 14 29-07
12. Fred Tietz Croton, Ohio (OH) 13 29-04
13. Barry Wolf Green Bay, Wisc. (WI) 13 27-13
14. John Burmeister New London, Wisc. (WI) 13 27-07
15. Bob Bruick Ft Wayne, Ind. (IN) 12 27-04
16. Robert Adams Fredericktown, Ohio (OH) 13 27-00
17. Ted Prisbe Harsens Island, Mich. (MI) 14 26-08
17. Rick Hemesath Ossian, Iowa (MN) 12 26-08
19. Kenny French Brookville, Ind. (IN) 10 25-14
20. Richard Campitelli Athens, Ohio (OH) 12 25-01
21. Jim Powers Crystal Lake, Ill. (WI) 12 24-15
22. Dean Capra Blaine, Minn. (MN) 12 24-12
23. Terry Fitzpatrick Waukon, Iowa (IA) 12 24-09
24. Corey Peterson Yankton, S.D. (SD) 11 24-07
25. Miles Coffin Des Moines, Iowa (IA) 11 24-00
26. Randy Burch Ladysmith, Wisc. (WI) 12 23-06
27. Josh Miller Chippewa Falls, Wisc. (WI) 13 23-03
27. Andy Sommerfelt Denver, Iowa (IA) 11 23-03
29. Troy Sitar Lawrence, Mich. (MI) 12 23-02
30. Chris Jung Chaska, Minn. (MN) 11 23-01
31. Jim O'Malley Elmhurst, Ill. (IL) 10 23-00
32. Nicholas Gross Watkins, Minn. (MN) 13 22-13
32. Eric Burdette Richmond, Ind. (IN) 11 22-13
32. Robert Smith New Hartford, Iowa (IA) 10 22-13
35. Richard Wiehe Mansfield, Ohio (OH) 11 22-12
36. Chip Swindell Bluffton, Ind. (IN) 11 22-06
37. Tom Ondras New London, Ill. (IL) 10 21-08
38. Peter Tuls Grand Haven, Mich. (MI) 8 20-09
39. Geoff Williams New London, Wisc. (WI) 9 20-07
40. Steve Huegerich Coon Rapids, Iowa (IA) 10 19-13
41. Mark Loftis Ivesdala, Ill. (IL) 11 19-11
41. Bobby Nelson Fulton, Ind. (IN) 10 19-11
43. Todd Hahn Heath, Ohio (OH) 10 18-13
43. Steve Strope Orchard, Neb. (SD) 9 18-13
45. Andy Jenkins Elkhart, Ind. (IN) 10 18-12
46. David Demott Otisville, Mich. (MI) 9 18-00
47. Chuck Steinbauer Brainerd, Minn. (MN) 9 17-13
48. Richard Rasmussen Willowbrook, Ill. (IL) 9 17-10
49. Kelly Star Chief Rosebud, S.D. (SD) 9 17-08
49. Garry Williams Swarts Creek, Mich. (MI) 9 17-08
51. Robert Luttke Stevensville, Mich. (MI) 7 17-02
52. Blair Gordan Marion, Iowa (IA) 8 16-13
53. Brian Runyon Mc Arthur, Ohio (OH) 8 16-08
54. Mike Anderson Martin, S.D. (SD) 8 16-07
55. Chad Ekroth Yankton, S.D. (SD) 10 16-06
56. Shawn Kellough Chillicothe, Ohio (OH) 8 16-03
57. Shawn Green Battle Creek, Mich. (MI) 7 16-02
58. Tim Clark Canton, Ohio (OH) 8 15-07
59. Donald Curtis Box Elder, S.D. (SD) 7 15-03
60. Joshua Fouty Newark, Ohio (OH) 9 14-15
60. Chad Kastembauer Mora, Minn. (MN) 8 14-15
60. Chris Timm Campbells Port, Wisc. (WI) 6 14-15
63. Brian Feutz Ada, Mich. (MI) 9 14-12
63. John Grimm Churubusco, Ind. (IN) 7 14-12
65. Brian Alexander Avon, Ind. (IN) 8 14-09
66. Randy Jo Keith Monticello, Ill. (IL) 7 14-08
67. Vaughn Capasso Carol Stream, Ill. (IL) 7 14-07
68. Kevin Rebouche Frankfort, Ill. (IL) 8 14-05
69. Jeremy Crawford Palo, Iowa (MN) 7 14-02
70. Don Bryan Mission, S.D. (SD) 6 14-01
71. Ed Rounsaville Indianapolis, Ind. (IN) 6 13-14
72. Ryan Brant Forest Lake, Minn. (MN) 6 13-11
73. Bob Sanquist Richmond, Minn. (MN) 8 13-08
74. Tom McMahon Calamus, Iowa (IA) 7 13-00
75. Brad Rockwood Knoxville, Iowa (IA) 7 12-11
76. William Geach East Jordan, Mich. (MI) 7 12-10
76. David Thompson Washington, Ill. (IL) 6 12-10
78. John Wenger Peru, Ind. (IN) 6 12-09
79. Allan Hall Brandon, S.D. (SD) 7 12-06
80. Shane Cowan Pierre, S.D. (SD) 6 11-14
80. Bob Garman Center Point, Iowa (IA) 5 11-14 $1,000.00
82. Jim Sullivan Strunberry Point, Iowa (IA) 6 11-10
83. Bill Parbs Brown Deer, Wisc. (WI) 5 10-12
84. Tim Partin Springboro, Ohio (OH) 5 10-06
85. Derald Bachmann Winner, S.D. (SD) 5 9-05
86. Steve Teel Walker, Iowa (IA) 4 9-01
87. Michael Nolan Grosse Ile, Mich. (MI) 5 8-14
88. Scott Miller Peru, Ill. (IL) 4 8-02
89. Michael Rubino Hoffman Est, Ill. (IL) 4 8-00
90. Edward Bohn Alsip, Ill. (IL) 3 6-15
91. Harry Heins Monona, Iowa (IA) 3 6-05
92. Eric Varner Carlock, Ill. (IL) 4 6-02
93. Paul Sacks Waterford, Mich. (MI) 3 5-04
94. Eric Stiles Gren Bay, Wisc. (WI) 2 3-13
95. Tracy Yourdon Elkhart, Ind. (IN) 2 3-09
96. Thomas Logue Tyndall, S.D. (SD) 2 3-07
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Bob Garman Center Point, Iowa (IA) 4-07 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 40 322 684-03
2 24 267 559-01
3 24 277 574-01
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88 866 1817-05
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
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State Lbs-Oz
1 WISCONSIN 278-07
2 MINNESOTA 272-04
3 OHIO 271-11
4 INDIANA 232-12
5 MICHIGAN 209-14
6 IOWA 195-12
7 SOUTH DAKOTA 189-11
8 ILLINOIS 166-14
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
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WISCONSIN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brady Farrell Fort Atkinson, Wisc. 15 36-15
2 Jim Barczak Fremont, Wisc. 15 33-05
3 Chris Johnson Appleton, Wisc. 12 31-08
4 Barry Wolf Green Bay, Wisc. 13 27-13
5 John Burmeister New London, Wisc. 13 27-07
6 Jim Powers Crystal Lake, Ill. 12 24-15
7 Randy Burch Ladysmith, Wisc. 12 23-06
8 Josh Miller Chippewa Falls, Wisc. 13 23-03
9 Geoff Williams New London, Wisc. 9 20-07
10 Chris Timm Campbells Port, Wisc. 6 14-15
11 Bill Parbs Brown Deer, Wisc. 5 10-12
12 Eric Stiles Gren Bay, Wisc. 2 3-13
MINNESOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Rick Billings Rochester, Minn. 15 34-10
2 Bill Ludenia Brainerd, Minn. 14 33-08
3 Richard Lindgren Lakeville, Minn. 15 32-15
4 Rick Hemesath Ossian, Iowa 12 26-08
5 Dean Capra Blaine, Minn. 12 24-12
6 Chris Jung Chaska, Minn. 11 23-01
7 Nicholas Gross Watkins, Minn. 13 22-13
8 Chuck Steinbauer Brainerd, Minn. 9 17-13
9 Chad Kastembauer Mora, Minn. 8 14-15
10 Jeremy Crawford Palo, Iowa 7 14-02
11 Ryan Brant Forest Lake, Minn. 6 13-11
12 Bob Sanquist Richmond, Minn. 8 13-08
OHIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brad Wall Clarksville, Ohio 14 44-14
2 Todd Thompson Newark, Ohio 14 30-08
3 Fred Tietz Croton, Ohio 13 29-04
4 Robert Adams Fredericktown, Ohio 13 27-00
5 Richard Campitelli Athens, Ohio 12 25-01
6 Richard Wiehe Mansfield, Ohio 11 22-12
7 Todd Hahn Heath, Ohio 10 18-13
8 Brian Runyon Mc Arthur, Ohio 8 16-08
9 Shawn Kellough Chillicothe, Ohio 8 16-03
10 Tim Clark Canton, Ohio 8 15-07
11 Joshua Fouty Newark, Ohio 9 14-15
12 Tim Partin Springboro, Ohio 5 10-06
INDIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, Mich. 15 36-11
2 Bob Bruick Ft Wayne, Ind. 12 27-04
3 Kenny French Brookville, Ind. 10 25-14
4 Eric Burdette Richmond, Ind. 11 22-13
5 Chip Swindell Bluffton, Ind. 11 22-06
6 Bobby Nelson Fulton, Ind. 10 19-11
7 Andy Jenkins Elkhart, Ind. 10 18-12
8 John Grimm Churubusco, Ind. 7 14-12
9 Brian Alexander Avon, Ind. 8 14-09
10 Ed Rounsaville Indianapolis, Ind. 6 13-14
11 John Wenger Peru, Ind. 6 12-09
12 Tracy Yourdon Elkhart, Ind. 2 3-09
MICHIGAN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Kent Miller Byron, Mich. 14 29-07
2 Ted Prisbe Harsens Island, Mich. 14 26-08
3 Troy Sitar Lawrence, Mich. 12 23-02
4 Peter Tuls Grand Haven, Mich. 8 20-09
5 David Demott Otisville, Mich. 9 18-00
6 Garry Williams Swarts Creek, Mich. 9 17-08
7 Robert Luttke Stevensville, Mich. 7 17-02
8 Shawn Green Battle Creek, Mich. 7 16-02
9 Brian Feutz Ada, Mich. 9 14-12
10 William Geach East Jordan, Mich. 7 12-10
11 Michael Nolan Grosse Ile, Mich. 5 8-14
12 Paul Sacks Waterford, Mich. 3 5-04
IOWA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Terry Fitzpatrick Waukon, Iowa 12 24-09
2 Miles Coffin Des Moines, Iowa 11 24-00
3 Andy Sommerfelt Denver, Iowa 11 23-03
4 Robert Smith New Hartford, Iowa 10 22-13
5 Steve Huegerich Coon Rapids, Iowa 10 19-13
6 Blair Gordan Marion, Iowa 8 16-13
7 Tom McMahon Calamus, Iowa 7 13-00
8 Brad Rockwood Knoxville, Iowa 7 12-11
9 Bob Garman Center Point, Iowa 5 11-14 $1,000.00
10 Jim Sullivan Strunberry Point, Iowa 6 11-10
11 Steve Teel Walker, Iowa 4 9-01
12 Harry Heins Monona, Iowa 3 6-05
SOUTH DAKOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Shane Oltjenbruns Neligh, Neb. 15 29-14
2 Corey Peterson Yankton, S.D. 11 24-07
3 Steve Strope Orchard, Neb. 9 18-13
4 Kelly Star Chief Rosebud, S.D. 9 17-08
5 Mike Anderson Martin, S.D. 8 16-07
6 Chad Ekroth Yankton, S.D. 10 16-06
7 Donald Curtis Box Elder, S.D. 7 15-03
8 Don Bryan Mission, S.D. 6 14-01
9 Allan Hall Brandon, S.D. 7 12-06
10 Shane Cowan Pierre, S.D. 6 11-14
11 Derald Bachmann Winner, S.D. 5 9-05
12 Thomas Logue Tyndall, S.D. 2 3-07
ILLINOIS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jim O'Malley Elmhurst, Ill. 10 23-00
2 Tom Ondras New London, Ill. 10 21-08
3 Mark Loftis Ivesdala, Ill. 11 19-11
4 Richard Rasmussen Willowbrook, Ill. 9 17-10
5 Randy Jo Keith Monticello, Ill. 7 14-08
6 Vaughn Capasso Carol Stream, Ill. 7 14-07
7 Kevin Rebouche Frankfort, Ill. 8 14-05
8 David Thompson Washington, Ill. 6 12-10
9 Scott Miller Peru, Ill. 4 8-02
10 Michael Rubino Hoffman Est, Ill. 4 8-00
11 Edward Bohn Alsip, Ill. 3 6-15
12 Eric Varner Carlock, Ill. 4 6-02