On August 6th the IBN High School Series went to Pool 13 out of Savanna Illinois. Water levels on the Mississippi River had been a little high but over the week just before the tournament the water levels were dropped over 3 feet. This would definitely have an effect on the positioning of the fish on the river.

All of the teams were in the water and ready to go and takeoff began at 6:00 am. The weather cooperated with slightly overcast skies with no rain forecasted.

When the teams came in you could tell that fishing was tough for most of the field. Word was that only a few limits were coming to the scale.

Half way through the weigh in the Durand Bulldogs, Joey Erickson and Robert Oakley, held the hot seats with a limit of fish weighing 9.26 lbs. Then, Macomb High Schools, Wally Bloomer and Charles Thomas came to the scale with a solid bag. Their 5 fish limit of 13.19 lbs. which included a Big Bass at 2.79 was more than enough to take over the hot seats. With only a few teams left to weigh in they seemed to be confident with their weight. The last team to weigh in were brothers Nolan and Colen Turner, Turner Home School, and they had a limit of fish. As the scale stopped at 8.21 lbs. giving the Turners the third place spot, Wally and Charles held on to the top honors for the event.

Charles and Wally 1st Place

The Pool 13 event also established 5 more Teams that have now qualified for the IBN High School Series State Championship next June. The 5 teams qualifying at this event are;

1. Joey Erickson and Robert Oakley Durand Bulldogs

2. Nolan Turner and Colen Turner Turner Home School

3. Sean Cook and Tommy Zobel Joliet Central

4. Trace Bogner and TBD Midland H S

5. Kolt Lawyer and TBD Macomb H S

Wally and Charles already qualified for their spot at the Jacksonville event. Congratulations to all the qualifying teams. For more information about the IBN High School Series visit us on Facebook or go to www.illinoisbassnation.com or www.bassmaster.com .

Our next event will be at Lake Shabbona on August 27th. By Frank Labanowski, IBN Youth Director