Savanna, Ill. — Iowa angler JJ Patton cashed in on his home waters advantage to win the Federation Nation Northern Divisional bass fishing tournament on the Mississippi River today.
The tournament launched out of the Illinois side of Pool 13, but the Eldridge, Iowa, angler frequently fishes the same pool, which gave him a slight edge over fellow river fisherman Mark Dove of North Vernon, Ind. Dove held a 5-ounce lead over Patton yesterday, but Patton caught the bigger sack today and won by 6 ounces with a total of 38 pounds, 6 ounces.
Fishing in his second divisional, Patton was a co-angler who credited his partners with giving him a chance to fish his areas. “They respected that I am kind of a local,” said the 42-year-old family doctor. “I can’t say enough about the partners I had this week for them to put their trust in me and go to my fish and let me catch them. I made great friends with all three of them (Larry Paul, Kevin Fassbind and David Junk) and that is part of what this is all about. You meet new people and it was great.”
The Elite Anglers of Iowa club member caught limits of largemouth every day to win this tournament even though he had to fish from other anglers’ boats. “You just have to work together and make this like a team tournament even though obviously it is not,” Patton said. “If you have a good day and get along well and respect each other’s equipment, you will be better off.”
Patton relied on three lures -- a 1/4-ounce white/gold Brovarney Baits Swim Jig with a 5-inch white Yamamoto single tail grub; a black/blue vibrating spin jig and 1/4-ounce black/brown Arkie Jig by A.C.T. Custom Lures with a beaver-style trailer--to catch fish from one primary area. “I am not exactly sure what the fish were doing,” he said. “There was quite a bit of bait there but it was really a nothing bank. It was probably something most guys would drive by and not even fish. But having fished around here, and I kind of knew what to look for and I found them.”
Winning the divisional and finishing as the top angler on his state team also earned Patton a berth in the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship (FNC) to be held on Wheeler Lake in Alabama Oct. 25-27. Other state winners qualifying for the FNC are Dove of Indiana; Curt Samo, Illinois; Jamie Sochocki, Michigan; Jonathan Patrick, Minnesota; Eddie Levin, Ohio; Corey Peterson, South Dakota; and Brady Farrell, Wisconsin.
Iowa won the team championship for the second straight year with 312 pounds, 9 ounces, while the host Illinois squad finished second with 243-6.
BFN Northern Division Championship
8/8/2012 - 8/10/2012
Mississippi River - Savanna Marina - Savanna, IL
STANDINGS ANGLER DAY 3
Today's Activity Accumulative
Name City, State # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz PTS
1. JJ Patton Eldridge, IA 5 5 13- 2 15 15 38- 6 0
2. Mark Dove North Vernon, IN 5 5 12- 7 15 15 38- 0 0
3. Curt Samo Rochelle, IL 5 5 12- 0 15 15 35- 1 0
4. Steven Houdek Calmar, IA 5 5 10-13 15 15 34-11 0
5. Harry Heins Monona, IA 5 5 11-14 13 13 32-15 0
6. Greg Heindselman Lewistown, MO 5 5 12- 3 14 10 31- 0 0
7. Jonathan Patrick El Dorado, IA 5 5 13-13 13 13 30-15 0
8. Eddie Levin Westerville, OH 3 3 5-15 13 13 29- 0 0
9. Blair Gordon Marion, IA 3 3 5-11 13 13 28-10 0
10. Brady Farrell Fort Atkinson, WI 5 5 12- 0 13 12 28-10 0
11. Bryan McNeal Enon, OH 4 4 8- 1 13 13 28- 7 0
12. Brad Teel Independence, IA 2 2 3-11 12 12 28- 4 0
13. Jamie Sochocki Bridgeport, MI 2 2 3-15 12 12 28- 1 0
14. Andy Sommerfelt Denver, IA 4 4 8-15 12 12 27-15 0
15. Larry Paul North Vernon, IN 5 5 9- 8 12 12 27- 6 0
16. Rick Billings Rochester, MN 5 5 13- 7 10 9 26-13 0
17. Larry Gargus Lapeer, MI 1 1 3-12 10 10 26- 6 0
18. Thad Takes independence, IA 2 2 3-13 12 11 26- 5 0
19. Corey Peterson Yankton, SD 4 4 7-13 13 13 25- 7 0
20. Joe Patock Lakeville, MN 2 2 3-12 12 12 25- 5 0
21. Brian Searcy Muscatine, IA 3 3 8- 6 10 10 25- 5 0
22. Monty Fralick Martin, SD 2 2 4- 6 10 10 25- 4 0
23. Brandon Rose Saginaw, MI 2 2 5- 2 11 11 24-15 0
24. Chuck Steinbauer Branerd, MN 4 4 10-11 10 10 24- 7 0
25. Chuck Heming Quincy, IL 5 5 10- 6 11 11 24- 3 0
26. Michael S Nesbitt St. Paris, OH 1 1 2- 1 11 11 23-11 0
27. Aaron Hochstedler Greentown, IN 2 2 3- 4 12 12 23- 1 0
28. Kevin Fassbind Cottage Grove, WI 2 2 4- 9 9 9 22-14 0
29. Ron Mehr Paynesville, MN 2 2 4- 8 10 10 22-12 0
30. Dave Whalen Bloomington, IL 2 2 5- 5 11 11 22-11 0
31. Paul Amstutz Gambler, OH 2 2 4-10 11 11 22- 8 0
32. Wade Stout Sauk City, WI 3 3 6- 2 10 10 22- 1 0
33. Evan Gutshall North Canton, OH 3 3 6- 9 10 10 21-11 0
34. Ted Prisbe Harsens Island, MI 3 3 5-12 10 10 21- 5 0
35. Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, MI 3 3 5-13 10 10 20-11 0
36. Bill Donaldson Maineville, OH 3 3 7- 8 8 8 20-10 0
37. Tony Puelz Garnavillo, IA 1 1 1-15 8 8 20- 8 0
38. Peter Saele Lockport, IL 4 4 8- 9 9 9 20- 4 0
39. Walter Hart Washington Court Ho 3 3 6- 5 9 9 19-15 0
40. Josh Wiesner Fon du Lac, WI 5 5 5- 0 11 11 19-12 0
41. Erhardt Tulgestka Posen, MI 4 4 12- 9 8 8 19-10 0
42. Thomas Kiefer Fowlerville, MI 3 3 7-14 8 8 19-10 0
43. Terry Fitzpatrick Waukon, IA 2 2 5- 7 8 8 19- 6 0
44. Jesse Reynolds Muscatine, IA 0 0 0- 0 9 9 19- 2 0
45. Greg Sochocki Bridgeport , MI 5 5 11- 7 9 9 19- 0 0
46. Timothy Peterson Springfield, SD 4 4 8-11 9 9 18-13 0
47. Jeff Brown Wentworth, SD 1 1 1-11 9 9 18-11 0
48. Chad Ekroth Yankton, SD 1 1 2- 5 8 8 17-15 0
49. Tim Hartman Effingham, IL 1 1 2- 6 8 7 17-12 0
50.Craig Dahlin Horton, MI 2 2 4- 9 8 8 17-10 0
BFN Northern Division Championship
8/8/2012 - 8/10/2012
Mississippi River - Savanna Marina - Savanna, IL
STANDINGS BY TEAM DAY 3 Today's Activity Accumulative
Name City, State # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz
ILLINOIS
1. Curt Samo Rochelle, IL 5 5 12- 0 15 15 35- 1
2. Greg Heindselman Lewistown, MO 5 5 12- 3 14 10 31- 0 3. Chuck Heming Quincy, IL 5 5 10- 6 11 11 24- 3
4. Dave Whalen Bloomington, IL 2 2 5- 5 11 11 22-11
5. Peter Saele Lockport, IL 4 4 8- 9 9 9 20- 4
6. Tim Hartman Effingham, IL 1 1 2- 6 8 7 17-12
7. Mark Loftis Ivesdale, IL 1 1 4- 9 7 7 17- 3
8. David Junk Quincy, IL 0 0 0- 0 7 7 17- 2
9. Tom Ondras Manhattan, IL 2 2 5- 8 7 7 16-12
10. Brian Marsinko Streater, IL 0 0 0- 0 7 7 15- 2
11. Scott Dooley Raymore, IL 1 1 2- 1 6 6 12-13
12. Mark Klemp Villa Park, IL 1 1 2- 6 4 4 9-13
13. Michael Lowry Huntley , IL 2 2 3-10 2 2 3-10
14. Aaron Ellerbrock Newark, IL 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
INDIANA
1. Mark Dove North Vernon, IN 5 5 12- 7 15 15 38- 0
2. Larry Paul North Vernon, IN 5 5 9- 8 12 12 27- 6
3. Aaron Hochstedler Greentown, IN 2 2 3- 4 12 12 23- 1 4. Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, MI 3 3 5-13 10 10 20-11 5. Mark Nies Cannelton, IN 0 0 0- 0 6 5 16- 2
6. Gordon Lamb Georgetown, IN 1 1 1-10 7 7 16- 0
7. James Sampson Depauw, IN 1 1 1-14 6 6 12- 0
8. Terry McWilliams Greenfield, IN 3 3 5- 1 6 6 11-12 9. Tony Wilson Cincinnati, OH 0 0 0- 0 5 4 10- 4
10. Kyle Sommer Fort Wayne, IN 0 0 0- 0 3 3 7- 1
11. Steve Quiggins Fortville, IN 1 1 2- 4 3 3 6- 8
12. Caleb Taylor Whitestown, IN 2 2 5- 4 2 2 5- 4
13. Eric Durcholz Brandenburg, KY 1 1 2- 1 2 2 4- 2
14. Blake Albertson Bloomington, IN 1 1 1-14 1 1 1-14
IOWA
1. JJ Patton Eldridge, IA 5 5 13- 2 15 15 38- 6
2. Steven Houdek Calmar, IA 5 5 10-13 15 15 34-11
3. Harry Heins Monona, IA 5 5 11-14 13 13 32-15
4. Blair Gordon Marion, IA 3 3 5-11 13 13 28-10
5. Brad Teel Independence, IA 2 2 3-11 12 12 28- 4
6. Andy Sommerfelt Denver, IA 4 4 8-15 12 12 27-15
7. Thad Takes independence, IA 2 2 3-13 12 11 26- 5
8. Brian Searcy Muscatine, IA 3 3 8- 6 10 10 25- 5
9. Tony Puelz Garnavillo, IA 1 1 1-15 8 8 20- 8
10. Terry Fitzpatrick Waukon, IA 2 2 5- 7 8 8 19- 6
11. Jesse Reynolds Muscatine, IA 0 0 0- 0 9 9 19- 2 12. Bryan Freyermuth Muscatine, IA 1 1 2-12 5 5 11- 2 13. Taylor Ambort Long Grove , IA 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 13. Nate Holub Robins, IA 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
MICHIGAN
1. Jamie Sochocki Bridgeport, MI 2 2 3-15 12 12 28- 1 2. Larry Gargus Lapeer, MI 1 1 3-12 10 10 26- 6
3. Brandon Rose Saginaw, MI 2 2 5- 2 11 11 24-15
4. Ted Prisbe Harsens Island, MI 3 3 5-12 10 10 21- 5 5. Erhardt Tulgestka Posen, MI 4 4 12- 9 8 8 19-10
6. Thomas Kiefer Fowlerville, MI 3 3 7-14 8 8 19-10
7. Greg Sochocki Bridgeport , MI 5 5 11- 7 9 9 19- 0
8. Craig Dahlin Horton, MI 2 2 4- 9 8 8 17-10
9. Jeffrey Fellows Howell, MI 3 3 6-14 7 7 14- 6
10. Timothy Hahn Sanford, MI 0 0 0- 0 3 3 7- 7
11. Doug Ratliff Commerce Twp, MI 1 1 1- 9 2 2 3-15
12. Mike Paul Atlanta, MI 0 0 0- 0 1 1 2- 7
13. Danny Sprague Hastings, MI 1 1 2- 3 1 1 2- 3
14. CJ Hatton South Lyon, MI 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
MINNESOTA
1. Jonathan Patrick El Dorado, IA 5 5 13-13 13 13 30-15 2. Rick Billings Rochester, MN 5 5 13- 7 10 9 26-13
3. Joe Patock Lakeville, MN 2 2 3-12 12 12 25- 5
4. Chuck Steinbauer Branerd, MN 4 4 10-11 10 10 24- 7 5. Ron Mehr Paynesville, MN 2 2 4- 8 10 10 22-12
6. Jim Severson Sartell , MN 5 5 12-10 7 7 17- 9
7. Ryan Otto Buffalo, MN 5 5 9- 9 8 8 15- 1
8. Zachary David Miller Prior Lake, MN 0 0 0- 0 6 6 12-4
9. Brian Skluzacek Prior Lake, MN 0 0 0- 0 5 5 11-10 10. Allan R Steinbauer Owatanna , MN 0 0 0- 0 5 5 10- 1 11. Dean Capra Blaine, MN 1 1 2- 8 3 3 8- 2
12. Connor Smith Champlin, MN 2 2 4- 8 2 2 4- 8
13. Mike Thompson St. Michael, MN 0 0 0- 0 2 2 3-11
14. Nick Montilino Edina, MN 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
OHIO
1.Eddie Levin Westerville, OH 3 3 5-15 13 13 29- 0 2.Bryan McNeal Enon, OH 4 4 8- 1 13 13 28- 7
3.Michael S Nesbitt St. Paris, OH 1 1 2- 1 11 11 23-11 4.Paul Amstutz Gambler, OH 2 2 4-10 11 11 22- 8
5.Evan Gutshall North Canton, OH 3 3 6- 9 10 10 21-11 6.Bill Donaldson Maineville, OH 3 3 7- 8 8 8 20-10 7.Walter Hart Washington Court Ho 3 3 6- 5 9 9 19-15 8.Chris Lappert Pataskala, OH 1 1 1-14 8 8 17- 1 9.Wilber Presley Grove City, OH 2 2 3- 5 8 8 16- 1 10.Phillip Rummel Mount Vernon, OH 1 1 1-15 4 4 10- 4 11.Rick Nesbitt Springfield, OH 2 2 3-12 4 4 7- 9
12.Tim Mulvey New Albany YEMEN 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4- 7
13.Mason DeJarnette Marysville, OH 2 2 4- 1 2 2 4- 1 14.Alexander Datz Thornville, OH 1 1 3- 1 1 1 3- 1
SOUTH DAKOTA
1.Corey Peterson Yankton, SD 4 4 7-13 13 13 25- 7 2.Monty Fralick Martin, SD 2 2 4- 6 10 10 25- 4 3.Timothy Peterson Springfield, SD 4 4 8-11 9 9 18-13 4.Jeff Brown Wentworth, SD 1 1 1-11 9 9 18-11
5.Chad Ekroth Yankton, SD 1 1 2- 5 8 8 17-15
6.Steve Strope Orchard, NE 1 1 1-10 8 8 17- 9
7.Rex Ryckman Ft. Pierre, SD 2 2 3-14 8 8 17- 0
8.Thomas Logue Tyndall, SD 3 3 7- 4 6 6 12- 0
9.Rod Pieper Yankton, SD 2 2 4- 4 5 5 11- 4
10.Adam Hladky Volin, SD 1 1 1-12 4 4 10-11
11.Troy Diede Sioux Falls, SD 1 1 2-11 3 3 6-15
12.Doug Rowse Elgin, NE 3 3 0- 9 6 6 6-11
13.Trey Doom Avon, SD 1 1 2- 4 1 1 2- 4
14.Tucker Peschl Tyndall, SD 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
WISCONSIN
1.Brady Farrell Fort Atkinson, WI 5 5 12- 0 13 12 28-10 2.Kevin Fassbind Cottage Grove, WI 2 2 4- 9 9 9 22-14 3.Wade Stout Sauk City, WI 3 3 6- 2 10 10 22- 1
4.Josh Wiesner Fon du Lac, WI 5 5 5- 0 11 11 19-12 5.Kyle Carpenter Green Bay, WI 3 3 6- 9 7 7 14-12
6.Ryan Geister Onalaska, WI 2 2 3-14 7 7 14- 8
7.Mike Mc Quitty New Berlin, WI 4 4 7-10 6 6 12- 0
8.Dan White Spring Valley, WI 0 0 0- 0 5 5 10-13
9.Gary Adkins Green Bay, WI 0 0 0- 0 5 5 10- 5
10.Chris Johnson Appleton, WI 1 1 1-12 5 5 10- 0 11.Chris Timm Campbells Port, WI 0 0 0- 0 4 4 9-10 12.Josh Pratt Pulaski, WI 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4- 3
13.Brady McCoy LaCrosse, WI 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
13.Hunter McKinley Rockford, IL 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0