Team Verdict built on its 2009 success with a very strong outing at the Manistee Splash.  With a very tough bite for the fleet the entire week leading up to the event in the waters around Manistee, the we decided to make the run back into Ludington waters in hopes a better success.  As luck would have it, the better fishing that we gambled on was there waiting for us.  Although the bite was still difficult, requiring us to capitalize on our bites, but we were able to put together two days of limit catches of ten fish.  Although our day one weight was only 92#, it put us in position to move up on day two with the day's third largest cooler of over 130# including a king that tipped the scales at 25.25#.

Our day one catch put us too far behind to catch up to the all the leaders, but we were able to catapult ourselves from our 11th place position from day one all the way up to 3rd in the pro division.  Our 25.25# king netted us second in the big fish category (and it was also the second largest fish caught overall on the 2009 Tournament Trail), and also helped us to become Manistee Port Champions for the 333 Championship Series!

Team Verdict poses its 2009 Manistee port champion award for its first place finish in the 333 Championship Series. Pictured (from left to right) front row: Jeff Stolz. Back row: Jeff Miller, Tim Pratcshler, Lance Jambeck, and Ryan Hacker.

The Team's success can be attributed to great execution by the crew to box ten fish each day even in the tough conditions.  With the help of quality products from Traxstech, Yeck Lures, KRW Flies, and Eyefull Custom Rods we were had all the right equipment and lures to get the job done when it mattered most.  Additionally, we could not have succeeded without the help of our friends on Polecat III, Hammbone, and Wood Wrocker.