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USA Bassin Coffeen/Otter Lake Spring Division

Monday, March 01, 2010

USA Bassin director Dan Blanton kicked of the Coffeen/Otter Lake spring and summer division this past Saturday. It was a very chilly morning, which took a while to warm up. There was a lot of rod dippin throughout the morning hours with temps at take of around 20 degrees with a NNW breeze. However it did warm somewhat in the early afternoon hours but the wind picked up. The water temp at the ramp was about 40 degrees, several degrees cooler than earlier in the week. There were 15 boats that took the Coffeen challenge. There were 5 new teams added to the division. One of those teams took the win. On with the stats!

First place went to new USA Bassin members Shawn Hemken and Chad Satterlee both of Walshville, IL. Chad and Shawn keyed in on the south end of the lake keeping their boat positioned deep while casting towards the shore. They reported catching their 5 fish limit weighing 10.64 lbs at a depth of 6 feet. They reported catching their fish using spinner baits attached to their Seaguar line. I asked what type or make of spinner bait and they reported, “whatever is the cheapest”. Way to go guys and welcome to USA Bassin! 

Second place went to another new USA Bassin team Jim Koontz of Hillsboro, IL and Mark Viehweg of Litchfield, IL. This team is new to USA Bassin but far from new to Coffeen Lake. Jim and Mark were fishing Sunday so I limited my questions. They did report fishing the main lake area in the weeds. Their 5 fish limit weighed in at 10.53 lbs. Jim and Mark also took a check for 2nd big bass weighing in at 2.91 lbs. The team also reported culling through a number of 16-inch fish. Welcome to USA Bassin guys! 

Third place went to the consistent fish catching and check cashing team of Jon Rinderer of Greenville, IL and Scott Sautman of Pocohontas, IL. Scott was at the Bass Pro Shops helping promote their sponsor so Jon had to fish with an alternate. I apologize I didn’t get his name. If you would like to send his name I will update the article. These guys brought 4 fish to the scales weighing 9.81 lbs anchored by big bass of the day weighing 3.26 lbs. Jon reported culling through numerous 17-inch fish and not being able to pick up that last slot fish. They reported the key to their fish was a rattletrap in the weeds. They said they fished from cemetery cove to the tracks.

Rounding out the top five places out of the money were 4th place going to the team of Glenn Wells and Donnie Chandler receiving an E-Factor Lure gift pack, 5th place was the team of Joe Gray and Joe Schreiber receiving a gift pack from the Poorboy Baits Company.

There were 10 limits brought to the weigh-in. There was a total of 66 fish brought to the scales weighing 121.59 pounds. The next USA Bassin spring tournament will be held on Coffeen Lake on March 27. The tournament hours are 7am-3pm. 

As always any questions, suggestions, or comments please email.

See ya on the water!

Mike Evanoff