Steve Weisman-GNWC
07-25-2004, 11:12 PM
Michigan Teams Trigger Big 'Eyes at Saginaw Bay
By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
After a week of strong north winds, the walleyes took to the bottom, but the results were still the same for the teams who fished Sunday's Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) tournament at Michigan's Saginaw
Bay: limits of big walleyes.
Scott Cain from Midland, MI and Jeff Haag from Traverse City, MI took top honors with a five-walleye limit weight of 37.90 pounds. They also captured the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award and $400 in Berkley products for their 8.68-pound walleye.
Second place and a check for $800 went to Al Toorigny from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada and Steve Velte from Belleville, MI with a five-fish limit weight of 32.52 pounds.
Bert Murlick and Bret Bremer from Saginaw Bay, MI used their third place finish at Saginaw Bay to lock up the Michigan Team of the Year honors. Their five walleyes weighed 30.29 pounds and also garnered them a check for $500.
"What a great way to end the regular season on the Michigan Region," said Gander Mountain GNWC Tournament Director Gary Bowman. "We had 27 teams weigh limits, and we weighed some really nice baskets of fish. Cain and Haag won by more than five pounds."
Cain noted at the weigh-in, "This is great-a great time, and I'm definitely happy." His partner, too, had reason to celebrate because it was Haag's first ever-competitive tournament. "I'll definitely do this again," Haag added.
So, how did the teams trigger these bottom-hugging fish? Slow, slow, slow. Cain and Haag worked spinners, bottom bouncers and in-line weights in 27' off Point Augres at speeds ranging from 1.0-1.2 mph. They found that silver blades and chartreuse beads triggered more fish than any other color and nightcrawlers were the bait of choice.
Toorigany and Velte worked northeast of Buoys 1 and 2 in 35' of water. Their presentation was the same, but they found purple beads to make the difference for them. They also trolled as slow as .8 mph and up to 1.2 mph.
Murlick and Bremer found success in front of the Marina in 32' to 35' of water. They also worked the same live bait presentation. However, they found the walleyes to be more active during the afternoon, catching fish at up to speeds of 1.5 mph. "These two really made a good team. They worked hard together, and I congratulate them for taking the Team of the Year honors," noted Bowman.
Bowman continued, "Saginaw Bay was a great tournament at a great fishery. Part of that goes to the Arenac County Walleye Club. They provided volunteer help, but more importantly, are very instrumental in the quality of this fishery. Each year they release walleye fry into these waters, and this past spring they released 469,512 fry."
Additional awards were also given. The "Yo So Close" award of a Yo Net folding net valued at $80 went to the three teams that placed just out of the money. They include Nathan Seiferlein from Davison, MI and Ed Clements from Bay City, MI in 12th place; Mark Lemke from Davisburg, MI and Lary Axson from Pontiac, MI in 13th place; and Scott Pettipas and Steve Elmer from Midland, MI in 14th place.
Frank Majdecki, Sr., and John Fletcher from Bay City, MI were the winners of the Gander Mountain "Need More Stuff" drawing of $200 for a Gander Mountain Shopping Spree.
Next up for the Michigan teams will be the Michigan State Championship of Walleye Fishing at Lake Leelanau on August 28-29.
For complete results of Sunday's Saginaw Bay tournament, check out the Gander Mountain GNWC website at www.walleyecup.com.
Anglers interested in 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 with other major national sponsors including Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, the Sportsman Channel, Berkley, Aqua Innovations, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, VIB"E" Lure Company, TowTector Shield and UpNorthOutdoors.com.
By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
After a week of strong north winds, the walleyes took to the bottom, but the results were still the same for the teams who fished Sunday's Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) tournament at Michigan's Saginaw
Bay: limits of big walleyes.
Scott Cain from Midland, MI and Jeff Haag from Traverse City, MI took top honors with a five-walleye limit weight of 37.90 pounds. They also captured the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award and $400 in Berkley products for their 8.68-pound walleye.
Second place and a check for $800 went to Al Toorigny from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada and Steve Velte from Belleville, MI with a five-fish limit weight of 32.52 pounds.
Bert Murlick and Bret Bremer from Saginaw Bay, MI used their third place finish at Saginaw Bay to lock up the Michigan Team of the Year honors. Their five walleyes weighed 30.29 pounds and also garnered them a check for $500.
"What a great way to end the regular season on the Michigan Region," said Gander Mountain GNWC Tournament Director Gary Bowman. "We had 27 teams weigh limits, and we weighed some really nice baskets of fish. Cain and Haag won by more than five pounds."
Cain noted at the weigh-in, "This is great-a great time, and I'm definitely happy." His partner, too, had reason to celebrate because it was Haag's first ever-competitive tournament. "I'll definitely do this again," Haag added.
So, how did the teams trigger these bottom-hugging fish? Slow, slow, slow. Cain and Haag worked spinners, bottom bouncers and in-line weights in 27' off Point Augres at speeds ranging from 1.0-1.2 mph. They found that silver blades and chartreuse beads triggered more fish than any other color and nightcrawlers were the bait of choice.
Toorigany and Velte worked northeast of Buoys 1 and 2 in 35' of water. Their presentation was the same, but they found purple beads to make the difference for them. They also trolled as slow as .8 mph and up to 1.2 mph.
Murlick and Bremer found success in front of the Marina in 32' to 35' of water. They also worked the same live bait presentation. However, they found the walleyes to be more active during the afternoon, catching fish at up to speeds of 1.5 mph. "These two really made a good team. They worked hard together, and I congratulate them for taking the Team of the Year honors," noted Bowman.
Bowman continued, "Saginaw Bay was a great tournament at a great fishery. Part of that goes to the Arenac County Walleye Club. They provided volunteer help, but more importantly, are very instrumental in the quality of this fishery. Each year they release walleye fry into these waters, and this past spring they released 469,512 fry."
Additional awards were also given. The "Yo So Close" award of a Yo Net folding net valued at $80 went to the three teams that placed just out of the money. They include Nathan Seiferlein from Davison, MI and Ed Clements from Bay City, MI in 12th place; Mark Lemke from Davisburg, MI and Lary Axson from Pontiac, MI in 13th place; and Scott Pettipas and Steve Elmer from Midland, MI in 14th place.
Frank Majdecki, Sr., and John Fletcher from Bay City, MI were the winners of the Gander Mountain "Need More Stuff" drawing of $200 for a Gander Mountain Shopping Spree.
Next up for the Michigan teams will be the Michigan State Championship of Walleye Fishing at Lake Leelanau on August 28-29.
For complete results of Sunday's Saginaw Bay tournament, check out the Gander Mountain GNWC website at www.walleyecup.com.
Anglers interested in 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 with other major national sponsors including Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, the Sportsman Channel, Berkley, Aqua Innovations, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, VIB"E" Lure Company, TowTector Shield and UpNorthOutdoors.com.