Hawg Hawlers Bass Club Tournament Results
Lake of the Ozarks - April 24-25, 2004
(click any image for a larger view)

1st Place Neil Volkmann & Dave Sona 12 fish, 33.82 lbs	2nd Place Bob Ray & Jeff Owens 8 fish, 17.81 lbs	3rd Place Tom & Mike McGraw 6 fish 18.84 lbs
Saturday Big Bass Neil Volkmann  6.28lbs Sunday Big Bass Phillip Meyer  4.12 lbs

Hawg Hawler Newsletter
04-28 (2004-April)
Written By Greg Heinz - Secretary

A RECORD YEAR:
Last month the ALL-TIME BIG BASS RECORD was beaten. This month the Lake of the Ozarks winners set a record for the HEAVIEST WINNING WEIGHT in 16 years of Hawg Hawler Tournament History. The previous record was set in July of 1994 by Terry Haynie and Gary McFetridge, with 20 fish at Pomme De Terre Lake. Their winning weight was 31.25 lbs. The old second place weight, which is now third place, and was previously the Lake of the Ozarks top weight, was 30.17lbs posted by Tom O’Connor and Rick Armstrong in April of 2000.

Neil Volkmann and Dave Sona set a new record with their winning Ozarks weight of 33.8lbs. Their 12 fish creel was anchored by Neil’s 6.28lb Big Bass (Saturday and overall). Neil and Dave were fishing up the Little Niangua River, in muddy water. The story was that they went to Wal-Mart on Friday night before the tournament and couldn't find that secret lure, so they settled for a 5-pak of Neon Black Lizards for 60 cents. That is what they caught the majority of their fish on. They also caught fish on watermelon lizards with red flake. Neil’s Big Bass came on the trailer hook of a white spinnerbait (yes, white...in muddy water)….oh, yes, and it was on his first cast, too.

Phillip Meyer had the Big Bass for Sunday, at 4.12lbs. It was caught on a spinnerbait also.

General Report:
Aside from that, there were a number of other 3+ lb fish that were brought to the scales. The BIG fish were biting. Other lures that worked included c-rig lizard, white spinnerbaits, crawdad colored Wiggle Warts, and Super Flukes (in that order). It seemed that most fish were preparing to move onto the beds. A number of boats were sight fishing with tubes, and working fish a long time before they took the bait (tubes/lizards). Full results are available in the “results” area.

Husbands vs. Wives:
Just for the record, this was definitely a tournament for the WIVES. Of the husband/wife teams who fished, not one husband weighed in more weight then his wife. Specifically Darla Ketcherside outfished John, Tina Ritrovato outfished Frank, and Sam Boehm outfished Paul. Gary and Donnie blanked. Congratulations Ladies.

BBQ at Oz:
The BBQ came off without a hitch, even in the rain. It seems there was some confusion with the 11am starting time (see 2004 schedule), but hopefully everyone got to eat. For the first time we actually had a close approximation of the amount of food (usually we have enough left over to feed a small army, but not this time). This year Lori purchased the food, and was nearly right on the money. There was plenty to eat for everyone with only a small amount left over. Lori, if you play your cards right, you could have that job again.  Big Thanks go out to Bob Treadway, Terry Stanek, Lori Luzynski, Gary and Donnie Eubanks, and the rest of the BBQ crew, for a job very well done (in the rain).


Mark Twain next:
Mark Twain Lake is the site for the next Hawg Hawler Tournament. We will be taking off from the “U” ramp access. This is the ramp over what is called “Northfork”, just west of highway 107. Hope to see everyone there.