RESULTS - December 9, 2017 "Sam Snow Memorial - Let it Snow” Big 8 Team Tournament at Joliet, Illinois

[FJR1]

Team Anthony Hartung-Cory Bohmann win December 9 “Sam Snow Memorial - Let it Snow” Big 8 Team Tournament at Joliet; Chad Bettisch-Bill Hodge take 2nd; Chuck Ferczok-Connor Reno finish 3rd; Bohmann-Hartung also win Most-Carp Contest followed by Reno-Ferczok; Anthony Hartung recaptures 19-2 One-Eyed Jack to take Big Fish honors!

Oh, the weather outside was frightful, but a few carp took a biteful at the December 9, 2017 “Sam Snow Memorial - Let it Snow” Big 8 Team Tournament at Joliet, Illinois.


Despite some slick roads, some blowing snow, some carp that were still acclimating to winter conditions, and temperatures that hovered at the 32° freezing point all day, twelve robust and capable anglers participated in the event.

The December event is named in honor of Sam Snow who first initiated our Joliet carp tournaments. Sam passed away in August 2015. He was among the early leaders of the Carp Anglers Group, serving as Illinois chair and organizing many events through CAG and his Midwest Carp Anglers Association (MCAA).

There was a little twist to the tournament parameters this year as the competition had us grouped into six, two-man teams. Those who rode to the event together and had access to just one vehicle over the course of the tournament were automatically teamed. The rest of us drew names at 6:30 a.m. to determine team groupings. Teams, order of peg choice, and actual choice of peg grouping follow:

Tony Donato-Emilio Montoya, 1st choice, pegs 1-4
Cory Bohmann-Anthony Hartung, 2nd choice, pegs 9-12
Chuck Ferczok-Connor Reno, 3rd choice, pegs J-1 to J-2
Chops Krople-Jim Snyder, 4th choice, pegs J-11-14, later moved to J-3-6
Jeff Conroy-Frank Rink, 5th choice, pegs, 13-16
Chad Bettisch-Bill Hodge, 6th choice, pegs 5-8

Although there was disparity in numbers between the top three teams and the remaining partnerships, all tournament teams captured fish. Most carp were netted prior to 1:00 p.m. as of 24 of 27 were recorded from 7:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Anthony Hartung and Cory Bohmann made great use of their pegs 9-12 location and easily won the tournament Championship with a Big 8 total of 74-5 (19-2, 10-8, 9-3, 9-1, 8-6, 7-11, 7-10, 2-12). Their bag of eight carp was anchored by the now famous “One-Eyed Jack,” a 19+ pound, one-eyed carp that has been caught in that general area several times. This time, Anthony pulled it in! Congratulations, Cory and Anthony!





Anthony and Cory also won the optional Most-Carp Contest with nine (19-2, 10-8, 9-3, 9-1, 8-6, 7-11, 7-10, 2-12, 2-11) to take home the medals and related monetary prize.

In addition, the team’s 2 pound, 11 ounce catch at 7:45 a.m. was First-Carp of the day for Cory and yielded yet another medal for Team Bohmann-Hartung!

Despite having the last peg choice of the tournament, Chad Bettisch and Bill Hodge made the event’s final outcome very interesting, as they, too, had a full scorecard of eight fish. Their 53-3 total (8-9, 8-5, 8-3, 7-8, 6-14, 6-6, 5-5, 2-1) from pegs 5-8 put them at Second Place in the final results. Nicely done, Bill and Chad!

Chuck Ferczok and Connor Reno chose the smallest of the peg groupings at pegs J-1 and J-2, jus north of the Jackson Street Bridge. Despite being crammed into that small space, Connor and Chuck achieved a podium finish with five carp totaling 34-15 and Third Place honors (weights in decimals: 9.42, 8.68, 6.34, 5.40, 5.09). Well done, Chuck and Connor!

Team Reno-Ferczok also took home the medals for second place in the optional Most-Carp Contest!

Jeff Conroy and Frank Rink could coax just two carp from their pegs 13-16 location. Their 7-3 and 11-14 totaled 19-1.



 

Team Conroy-Rink did take home a medal, though, as their 11-14 won the Last-Carp award with a 3:16 p.m. capture.

Jim Snyder and Chops Krople put forth a great effort at Jackson Street as they fished two different peg groupings over the course of the event (pegs J-11-14 and pegs J-3-6). Two carp were caught and recorded at 6-6 and 6-3, giving Chops and Jim a 12-9 total for the day.

The often productive pegs 1-4 were “off and on” throughout this tournament season, and, unfortunately, it was a bit “off” for Tony Donato and Emilio Montoya on December 9. Team Montoya-Donato did weigh one fish, however, at 6-11 for a nice effort at a tough peg grouping.

Just three of the 27 tournament carp exceeded 10 pounds as the bigger fish are having a tougher transition to winter feeding:
19-2 - Anthony Hartung-Cory Bohmann
11-14 - Frank Rink-Jeff Conroy
10-8 - Cory Bohmann-Anthony Hartung

Big thanks, as always, to the twelve participating anglers and big congratulations to the winners!

Our next and final event of 2017 will be the “FFF 2018 Big 6 Team Carp Tournament” to be held from 11:00 p.m. on December 31, 2017 through 7:00 a.m. on January 1, 2018. Hope you can make it! —Frank Rink

[(MO) MOCarper]

Pretty incredible all!!!...........good job!!.....Frank- you are incredible to organize all these!.......have you thought of having just a 12-month Joliet tournament?- you could make it the 1-ton tournament.....   :)............