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Contact: Michelle Cernosek
(800) 982-5233

MANSFIELD, RIEDINGER MARK TWAIN CHAMPS

August 5, 2007 - The Missouri State Championship was held on Mark Twain Lake in Perry, MO. along with the third leg of the championship and a national qualifier. With hot temperatures and high humidity anglers combated the heat and lake tournament day. Higher winds moved in for the Championship day making the waters tough and rough. During pre fishing and both tournament days, most angler stated they were catching 50-70 fish but getting the large one was scarce.

Day one and the national qualifier was won by American Angler and Grizzly Jig team of Wade Mansfield and Reggie Riedinger. The team had the top weight of the two days with a seven fish total of 6.95 lbs. The team fished flats and next to creek channels in 18” to 6 foot waters using Grizzly Jigs, Southern Pro and Mid South jigs. They stated they used a variety colors changing them a lot. On Championship day they damaged their trolling motor leaving them with only the ability to tie to trees with the high winds. Their first place finish moved them up to 5th place in the points race and earned the team $5100.00 cash.

Second place on day one went to Charles and Travis Bunting with a total weight of 6.53 lbs. on seven fish. Second place earned the team $2600.00 dollars. Third place was taken by Bill and Dan Kayser with a total weight of 6.46 lbs. Third place earned them $1350.00. Big fish was won by Anglers Port Marina team of Russell Beck and Tim Logan with a 1.46 lb. crappie.

The combined weight of all three legs of the Missouri State Championship was won by Steve Coleman and Ronnie Capps with a three lake total of 21.73 lbs. They won a Minn Kota trolling motor their efforts. They placed 12th overall on day but 2nd in the points race for the day giving their third Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters Angler Team of the Year victory and 2007 points race champions. They will be award a Tracker Pro Team 190 TX boat for their victory at the 2007 National Championship on Reelfoot Lake in Tiptonville, TN.

Bass Pro Shops paid $27,000.00 cash and over $33,000.00 in cash and prizes during the two day event to over 25% of the teams.

Local sponsors bringing this tournament to the area include: Pepsi Refreshment Servives of Quincy, Busch Golden Eagle Distributing Corporation, Mark Twain Landing, South Fork Resort, The Junction, KWWR Country 96, Roadhouse Seafood & BBQ, Chigger Hill Bait & Tackle, Hickman’s IGA, West Perry Boat & Motor, Cannon Dam Opry, Rustic Oak Cabin Restaurant, Redmon’s Corner Café, The Paris National Bank, Sid’s National Bar & Grill, Moberly Motor Co., DaNancy’s Restaurant, Breadeaux Pizza and Jake’s Sports Bar.

Special thanks to our National Sponsors that include: Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, Nitro Boats, Mercury Motors, Minn Kota, Humminbird, American Angler, RoadRunner by Blakemore, Mr. Crappie Hooks, Hydro Glow Fish Lights, Grizzly Jig Company, Biosonix, Bugband, Perotti Bilt, Mr. Crappie Wally Marshall Signature Series Crappie Rods, Slider, KeelShield, SureLife, Spike-It, Kodiak Scents, Bobby Garland, KeepAlive, Emmrod, Budweiser, Monster Crappie, Kasswinns, Kastaway Kulis, Osage Tackle, Pro Lure Tackle, Proplite, The Re-Action System, Cocoon Sunwear, Fish-Flo2, Fisherman’s Pro, Culprit, Net-n-Buddy, Tech Tackle, Tempress, Grip N Check, Foodsource, Lip-Ripperz and Coldstream Fisheries.