Domonkos demolishes co-angler field on Lake Erie

Ohio native mounts huge comeback, wins Stren Northeast title by nearly 5 full pounds

CLEVELAND – Heading into the finals, co-angler Jeff Domonkos of Middleburg, Ohio, found himself in third place, a daunting 7 pounds behind leader Stephen Semelsberger Jr., and needing a drastic turn of events if he was to have any hope of capturing a tournament title in Saturday’s final day of Stren Series action.

“My goal was to catch between 20 and 21 pounds today if I was to have any chance at all at the title,” said Domonkos.

Well, Domonkos got his wish. Not only did the Ohio native engineer a furious comeback with a 20-pound sack during today’s competition, but he also netted an improbable tournament title as well as the largest stringer of the finals – in any division.

“It’s a wonderful experience,” said Domonkos of his victory. “I only caught three fish yesterday, and I knew I was really in a hole. We battled 6- and 7-foot swells today. But in the end, I managed to catch a pretty big bag. And that’s what it takes to win tournaments like this.”

For his efforts, Domonkos won nearly $35,000 in cash and prizes, including a brand-new Ranger boat. And he couldn’t have been happier.

“This is the most money I’ve ever won and one of the biggest wins of my career,” he said. “But I’ll tell you what, it really boils down to having great pros. Joe (Balog) was great today. He put me on fish, and that’s all you can ask.”

Domonkos said he borrowed a Poor Boy’s Drop Shot Goby from Balog and used a combination of Erie Darters to secure victory.

“It was just a great week,” he said. “It’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”

Semelsberger falls short of title

Although Stephen Semelsberger Jr. of Mount Airy, Md., had almost a 4-pound lead heading into the finals, rough conditions on Lake Erie tempered his catch, and that was just enough to lose out on a title. However, Semelsberger wasn’t complaining.

“I had a great time,” said Semelsberger, who netted $3,700 in prize money. “My wife surprised me and flew up here from Maryland to watch me in the finals, and that was really special.”

Semelsberger, who ultimately finished with a two-day catch of 27 pounds, 5 ounces, gave credit to Domonkos’ performance as well.

“Jeff just caught them today. He did a really great job,” he said. “I honestly didn’t think anyone would get a 20-pound bag. But give him credit. I just came up a little bit short.”

Larry Drewett of Sterling, Va., finished in third place with a catch of 21 pounds, 9 ounces, winning a $3,320 payday in the process.

“I had a great week and some really great partners,” said Drewett. “So I’m happy.”

Meanwhile, Rob Webber of Elyria, Ohio, finished in fourth place ($2,320) with a catch of 17 pounds, 14 ounces, while Dick Parker ($1,820) of Amherst, Ohio, finished in fifth place with a total catch of 16 pounds, 6 ounces.

Best of the rest

Rounding out the top 10 co-angler finalists at the Lake Erie event:

6th: Tim George of Kittanning, Pa., 16-4

7th: Matt Scholzen of Racine, Wis., 16-0

8th: Robert Sweeney of Baltimore, Md., 14-6

9th: Blaine Bucy of Weirton, W. Va., 8-1

10th: Michael McMahon of Hackettstown, N.J., 8-0

Coming up

The next Stren Series event is a Midwest Division contest on the Mississippi River at Fort Madison, Iowa, Aug. 9-12.

The next Northeast Division tournament, the third event of the 2006 season, will be held on the Potomac River in La Plata, Md., Aug. 16-19.