Indiana North Tournament Stop #1

A Special Thank-you to owners Scott & Anita McFalls of

Gittin Jiggy With It Bait and Tackle 

For hosting our Friday Night Meeting!

Stone & Shortgen rise to the top on Lake Summit

Summit Lake (New Castle) The chill of the early morning air enveloped Summit Lake as the Fishers of Men Indiana North Division, prepared for their opening tournament. With temperatures lingering at a brisk 28°F, and overcast skies threatening to obscure the sunrise at take-off. The wind began to pick up early in the morning and eventually whipping the surface into frothy whitecaps.

Among the teams fighting the coldness and wind were Todd Stone and Greg Shortgen, a seasoned duo determined to conquer the elements. Armed with their experience and unwavering resolve, they embarked on their quest. Casting their lines into the frigid depths, they braved the chill as they patiently waited for their first bite.

Their perseverance paid off as they hooked their first fish, a feisty contender lured by the tantalizing dance of a Red Eyed Shad. With one catch under their belt, they pressed on, adapting their strategy to the changing conditions. Switching tactics, Stone and Shortgen turned to Alabama Rigs, a move that proved to be a game-changer. Methodically working the waters, they amassed a formidable haul, culminating in a total weight of 19.76 pounds.

But their victory was not without its challenges. As the wind howled and the waves grew more tumultuous, they faced the daunting task of culling their catch multiple times. Yet, their skill and determination prevailed, securing their place at the top of the Smack 'Em Bait and Tackle Ship leaderboard and taking home the first-place plaques sponsored by Raptor Fishing .

In second place trailed Gary Straber and Jeff Hackler, their combined efforts yielding a respectable 10.04 pounds. Despite the fierce competition and the unforgiving conditions, they showcased their angling prowess with each cast and reel.

However, it was Greg Shortgen's impressive 5.06-pound kicker that sealed the win and earned them the coveted title of big bass honors, sponsored by CMA Truck and Auto.

As the tournament drew to a close and the final standings were announced. Shayne Robbins and Garrick Staber claimed third place with 7.11 pounds, while newcomers Travis and Mason Huffman clinched fourth with just over 6.6 pounds.

Reflecting on the day's events, it became evident that the harsh conditions had taken their toll. Over half of the field did not weigh in fish, a testament to the resilience required to thrive in such challenging circumstances.

With the first tournament of the season in the books, the Fishers of Men Indiana North Division, looks ahead to their next challenge. McCordsville beckoned as the next battleground, with Geist Reservoir promising another test of skill and endurance on April 20th.

As the anglers packed up their gear and reflected on the day's triumphs and tribulations, they knew that no matter the obstacles they faced, their passion for the sport would always propel them forward, ready to tackle whatever the waters had in store.

Fishers of Men would like to thank all of our fine sponsors;

BassCat Boats, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Mercury, Fenwick, Realtree Fishing, FireFly Outdoor & Marine, Power-Pole, T&H Marine, FroggToggs, FSB Mortgage and Jacobs Glass.

Indiana North would like to thank all of our local sponsors:

Place	Team	Members	# Fish	Big Fish	Gross	Penalty	Net Wt	Points
1	31892	todd stone Greg Shortgen	5	5.06	19.76	0	19.76	200
2	28918	Gary Straber Jeffery Hackler	5	0	10.04	0	10.04	199
3	24466	Garrick Straber Mikael Robbins	3	0	7.11	0	7.11	198
4	31969	Travis Huffman Mason Huffman	4	0	6.66	0	6.66	197
5	31915	Austin Graber Evan Graber	2	0	2.82	0	2.82	196
6	30414	Michael Zerrien Adam Linkenhoker	1	0	1.66	0	1.66	195
7	30376	David Dale Jeff Light	0	0	0	0	0	194
8	30542	Jerad Schwedler Eric Schwedler	0	0	0	0	0	194
9	30838	Gregory Richardson Tristen Richardson	0	0	0	0	0	194
10	31890	Carl Davis Sharon Davis	0	0	0	0	0	194
11	31893	Chris Whitley Brandon Strait	0	0	0	0	0	194
12	31999	Dave Blankenship Dustin Blankenship	0	0	0	0	0	194
13	32000	Josh Klinghagen Raven Graber	0	0	0	0	0	194
14	31891	Jason Smith Shawn Hamrick	0	0	0	0	0	194
Greg Shortgen & Todd Stone - 19.76 w/ 5.06 Kicker