Weather once again plays a major role in the catch ratio for anglers on Patoka Lake, during the SAF High School Fishing State Championship. Clouds and rain came thru the area on Friday and the fish bit pretty well as some teams reported having a really good practice. Then the front passed and high, clear, blue-bird skies and no wind was all that was left for Saturday. Is was a really pretty day, but the fish di not cooperate very well.
Ryan Seitz and Brady Osborn brought in just one of the nine limits to be weighed on Saturday. Their weight was 15-06 pounds and good enough for the win. Just ounces behind them, was the team of Joe Childs and Mason Willis with a solid bog of 14-11 pounds. Finishing third was the team of Wesley Warnock and Richard Vanness with 14-06 pounds. Connor Moon and Peyton Attinger finished fourth with 13-06 pounds and Wesson Vint and Hunter Duracz weighed 13-01 for fifth place. A tie for sixth between the teams of Judd Linette and Logan Taylor, along with Rylan Holly and Gatlen Olson at 12-10 rounded out the top seven teams that qualified for the National Championship in June at Lake Hartwell. There was also a tie for overall Big Bass at 4-06 pounds. Joe Childs and Mason Willis brought in a 4-06 lunker, as did Casen Owens and Jayden Reardon. Each team received a new Lew’s Reel and a bag of sponsor products for their efforts.
Anglers reported catching several of their fish while bed fishing, using soft plastics. Other anglers said they caught their fish on Ned Rigs, Tokyo Rigs, Drop Shots and Carolina Rigs, along with crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits in less than 10 feet of water. Congratulations to all the winners.
To see the full results and more pictures from this event CLICK HERE.