By Steve Weisman
A total of 54 anglers fished the second annual Iowa Ice Classic held on West Okoboji’s Little Emerson Bay on Saturday, February 7. Anglers could weigh their best 10 bluegills. Payouts went to the top 10 teams and special plaques to the top five teams.
Winning the Classic and a check for $550 was David Booth with a 10-bluegill limit weight of 5.05 pounds. Second place and a check for $375 went to Tony Ruter with a 10-bluegill weight of 4.88 pounds. Third place and $275 went to Jesse Vanwyk with a weight of 4.76 pounds. Fourth place and $225 went to Eric Pearson with a weight of 4.75 pounds, while fifth place and $200 went to John Wittkamp with a weight of 4.72 pounds.
Big fish of the tournament was a .73-ounce bluegill caught by Shawn Sievers. For his efforts, Sievers received a check for $2000 from big fish sponsor Roadside Minnows, along with another $270 from the optional Big Fish Pot for a total of $2270.
The weights were extremely close with only a little over six ounces separating the top 10 competitors.
Tournament director Ryan Hale was ecstatic with the number of contestants, along with the quality of fish and numbers of fish caught. “We had 54 competitors with men, women and youngsters – both veteran and novice anglers. Competitors came from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.” Three competitors were 16 and younger, with Carson Vanderweide garnering 10th place with weight of 4.43 pounds.
Hale also added, “Congratulations to all of our competitors today, and a big thank you to the Iowa Ice Classic sponsors: Roadside Minnows, Clam, Vexilar, Cold Snap, & Oak Hill Outdoor.”
(photo submitted) Top placers in the second annual Iowa Ice Classic. (L to R) David Booth, 1st place; Tony Ruter, 2nd place; Jesse Vanwyk, 3rd place; Eric Pearson, 4th place; John Wittkamp, 5th place.
(photo submitted)
(L) Shawn Sievers receives the Big Fish check for $2270 from tournament director Ryan Hale.
