It was a rough lake as 85 boats launched out of Lorain and Vermillion to find their fishing spot. My team, each year, consists of myself and my two sons, Jason and Ryan. Unlike the fishing charter where I am captain and one of them is my first mate, my son Ryan is captain and Jason and I are the mates. Ryan spends a lot of time researching, and pre-fishing at the end of his work day to try to find the biggest fish and to put our program together. After 3 finishes in in the top 5 spots 3 years in a row, he really does his homework. Last year we placed 1st and missed it by a half of inch this year. Our 5 fish totaled 146 & 1/4 “. It’s just an awesome day to be out with my sons and finish every year in a respectable place. Gary Pongracz has put this memorial tournament together for many years in honor of his father who passed away and all fallen soldiers. The first time we were in this tournament we took 1st place with the only child in the tournament. It was myself, son Ryan and grandson Kaya who was 8 at the time and now going on 17 and spends all of his time getting ready for football in the weight room. Ryan will be in several tournaments this year as I will be doing fishing charters. Once my season is over, I will join him in the GOTL cold water tournament in Cleveland where we finished in 2nd place last fall and will be fishing in the fall brawl. It’s just the start to the 2019 season despite the cold and rain during the first couple of weeks in May. Better to be lucky than good.😂😎