IBF Report

Dave Thies of Auburn, Ind. and Todd Boyles of Kendallville

Dave Thies of Auburn, Ind. and Todd Boyles of Kendallville took top honors in the Indiana Bass Federation Open Tournament on Sylvan Lake near Rome City, Ind.

The winners had five bass weighing 12.66 pounds, including a 3.72-pound largemouth, and collected $518 for their efforts.

The father and son team of Lavon and Mike Raber (Wolcottville, Ind.) were second with a five bass limit of 12.19 pounds. Mike Raber had the second big bass of the tournament with a 4.04 pound largemouth. They won $305.

Brandon Gunn, (Sturgis, Mich.) and David Branham (Goshen)

Third place went to Brandon Gunn, (Sturgis, Mich.) and David Branham (Goshen) with a five bass limit weighing 11.47 pounds that was worth $212. They also had the Big Bass of the tournament which weighed 4.11 pounds and which won them another $210.

David Branham (Goshen)

Steve Kline (Albion, Ind.) and Corey Marzion (Rome City)

Fourth place went to locals Steve Kline (Albion, Ind.) and Corey Marzion (Rome City) with a limit of bass weighing 11.03 pounds. They won $141.

Dave Gee (LaPaz, Ind.)

Dave Gee (LaPaz, Ind.) and Chris Howe (Osceola) were fifth with five bass weighing 10.18 pounds to capture the Strike King First Out of the Money Award.

Most of the fish were caught on soft plastics in shallow water although some anglers used lipless crankbaits to catch their fish.

This was also a qualifying event for the TBF National Semi Finals to be held on Patoka Lake October 27-28. The top two teams that are Indiana Bass Federation members in this tournament get to participate in the National Semi Finals. Those teams are Gee and Howe and the team of Randy Forszt (Chesterton, Ind.) and Kevin Kwieran (South Bend).