South Dakota Region-Oahe (Gettysburg)

[Steve Weisman-GNWC]

Christenson, Molengraaf overcome high winds to win Lake Oahe Tournament

By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
A good old fashioned South Dakota sandstorm! With 40-mph southerly winds, that’s what the teams on the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) had to face on Lake Oahe west of Gettysburg, Sunday, June 6.
In spite of the weather, the teams who were able to master boat control in the four-foot waves caught their six-fish limit with ease.
Leading the way and claiming the $1200 first place check was the team of Shane Christenson from Bruce, SD and James Molengraaf from White, SD with a six-fish limit weight of 18.0 pounds. Their 6.59 kicker walleye not only made the difference in the standings, but also earned them the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award of $400 in Berkley products.
Second place and a check for $600 went to Cory Jueneman and Brent Beitelspacher from Mobridge, SD with six fishing weighing 15.59 pounds, while Todd Steffensen and Tim Tesch from Watertown, SD took the $500 third place check with a six-fish weight of 15.58 pounds.
According to Gander Mountain GNWC Tournament Director Greg Liebel, the conditions were brutal. "Yesterday was a beautiful day, and the prefishing was tremendous. It was literally a sandstorm today. I know that boat control in these conditions made all the difference for the top teams."
Christenson and Molengraaf headed south of the West Whitlock area and worked the sand flats up and down the shoreline in 20’ of water. They pulled Shad Raps and Husky Jerks and as Christenson noted, "It was a real rough ride, but it was worth it!"
The second place team worked the same area but used lead core to pull Shad Raps and Husky Jerks. However, they started the day fishing in the 24’ they had found the fish in during pre-fishing. They kept moving shallower because the inside bait kept getting the hits until they were able to position themselves so they could cover the 10’ to 20’ depths.
Steffensen and Tesch used bottom bouncers and a combination of spinners and plain hooks tipped with minnows, nightcrawlers and leeches. They worked a 1/2 stretch from a point along the shoreline in 15’ to 18’ about seven miles south of tournament headquarters.
Special awards were also presented. The "Yo So Close" award of a Yo Net folding net valued at $80 went to the teams that placed just out of the money. They include Shane Spooner from Watertown, SD and Aaron Bjerke from Bradley, SD in 8th place; Bob Stalley and Jennifer Stalley from Pierre, SD in 9th place; and Curtis Rees, III from Fort Pierre, SD and Scott Berry from Rockford, IL in 10th place.
The winner of the Gander Mountain "Need More Stuff" drawing of $200 for a Gander Mountain Shopping Spree was the team of Kevan Paul and Johnathon Graber from Chariton, IA.
For complete results, check out the Gander Mountain GNWC wwebsite at www.walleyecup.com.
After three tournaments, the team of Christenson and Molengraaf has a one point lead in the race for the South Dakota Region Team of the Year with 28 points, followed by Steffensen and Tesch with 29 points.
Next up for the South Dakota teams will be the Lake Thompson tournament on Sunday, June 27.
Anglers interested in signing up for the final qualifier or simply wanting more information on the GNWC circuit can call 1-800-890-FISH (3474), or they can email the GNWC at info@walleyecup.com.
Title Sponsor for the GNWC is Gander Mountain. Other major national sponsors include Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, the Sportsman Channel, Berkley, Aqua Innovations, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, VIB"E" Lure Company, TowTector Shield and UpNorthOutdoors.com.

[The sandman]

My partner and I fished the tournament and placed 10th. I had never been on this part of Oahe before so it was an interesting three days of prefishing. I drove each day from Pierre (75 miles) and got to know 1804 quite well. Saw a fox den with all the little ones, deer, numerous pheasants, Turkey Vultures, and one lost calf runnng outside the fence row.

This area provides numerous options for fishing. I ran North from Whitlocks to an area called the islands the first day and caught one 17 inch Walleye and lots of big Silver Bass. The second day I went south to nearly Sutton Bay. I fished the west side points and bays and caught several nice Walleyes with two methods, trolling lead core and using bottom bouncers and plain hooks with minnows or leeches. Iv'e never seen so many fish on a depth finder. I was excited for the tournament. The next day my partner went with and we returned south with NO success. We still marked a ton of fish but no takers.

Yesterday was tournament day and blowing pretty hard. We went north, a good 10 miles, in 4 footers to the islands. Within minutes we had our first fish 17 incher and and another two in the next hour with the biggest a 4+ pounder. Second biggest fish of the tournament. We were excited but the wind kept getting stronger and boat control became tough. My partner ran the boat and I set the lead core lines. We trolled Frenzy deep divers, into the waves and took several over the front of the boat. Thank goodness for bilge pumps. We had a 20 foot Skeeter so this was no small boat. We decided we better try to get back. Now I know why I wanted a windshield. What a pounding, but we got back to where we could see the launch.

We did not catch another fish. The winners had 18 lbs in these conditions. Great job. I had a great time meeting the wonderful residents of the Gettysburg area, talking with the other tournament fishermen, seeing the sights, getting advice form the locals, spending time on the water, and eating at Bob's On The Hill. Get the small steak not the 32 ouncer.

Thanks to all who helped make this tournament a success. South Dakota fishing is always exciting.