Organizers Deem Grand Lake St. Marys Rough Fish Removal Tournament a Success
We asked them to “Get the Carp Outta Here” and boy did they ever. The second annual tournament aimed at reducing the number of rough fish in Grand Lake St. Marys was a big success according to tournament Co-Chairman Dan Manning. In 2011 the participants took out 8,142 pounds of carp during the 48 hour tournament, this year with fewer participants they took out 1,974 carp weighing 12,831 pounds—that’s incredible, Manning said, more than six ton in two days.
Co-Chair Donna Grube said they changed the date of the tournament from mid-June to May in hopes of getting those carp before they have a chance to spawn. She said they later learned that during the spawn time tournaments will attract more bow hunters but less fishermen because during spawning time the carp aren’t very interested in eating so the fishermen know they can’t compete with bow hunters for those top prizes. She said it was suggested they offer prizes in both categories next year to draw more participants. She added that is something the committee will certainly consider for 2013.
Grube said the tournament would not be possible without the support of the tournament sponsors and the dozens of volunteers. Manning said special thanks go out to the Celina Moose, HAB Aquatics, KCI, the Grand Lake Chapter of Ducks Unlimited & the Lake Development Corporation for their prize and money donations.
The Winners were:
Tournament Total
$500 for Most Fish: Brian Moorman 168
$250 2nd Place: Ryan Smith 135
$100 3rd Place: John Flemming 119
$500 for Biggest Fish: Christopher Law 19.4 pounds
2nd Place Prize Package Robert Hicks 15.8 pounds ($400 Bow Fishing system)
$100 3rd Place Bobby Early 14.4
Daily winners were:
Day 1 Winners
Most Fish Adult
- $100 Brian Moorman 104
- $ 50 John Flemming 61
- $25 Tim Black 58
Most Fish Youth
- $37.50 Katie Lake 8 (tie 1st place)
- $37.50 Andrew Peoples 8 (tie 1st place)
- $5 Ian Moorman 4 (tie 3rd place)
- $5 Michael Schnarre 4 (tie 3rd place)
Biggest Fish Adult
- $100 Christopher Law 19.4
- $50 Robert Hicks 15.8
- $25 Bobby Early 14.4
Biggest Fish Youth
- $50 Brady Becker 11.9
- $25 Katie Lane 11.3
- $10 C.J. Vanderhorst 9.3
Day 2 Winners
Most Fish Adult
1. $100 Ryan Smith 135
2. $50 Jordan Chapman 67
3. $25 Brian Moorman 64
Most Fish Youth
1. $50 Andrew Peoples 54
2 $25 Katie Lake 17
3 $10 Ian Moorman 11
Biggest Fish Adult
1. $100 Ryan Smith 13.4 Pounds
2. $50 Dusty Musk 13.2 Pounds
3. $25 Christopher Law 13 Pounds
Biggest Fish Youth
1. $50 Brady Becker 12.2 Pounds
2. $25 Andrew Peoples 12 Pounds
3. $10 Andrew Peoples 11.8 Pounds