Steve Weisman-GNWC
08-07-2004, 05:24 PM
Lotz, Daughenbaugh Take the Lead on Day I of Illinois State Championship of Walleye Fishing
By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
Steve Lotz from Lena, IL and Dave Daughenbaugh from McConnell, IL took the Day I lead on Saturday at the Illinois State Championship of Walleye Fishing held on the Mississippi River at the Quad Cities.
Their six-fish limit weight of 12.73 pounds gave them almost a two pound lead heading into the second and final day's action on Sunday.
Sitting in second place with a 6-fish limit weight of 10.84 pounds was the overall regular season Illinois Team of the Year Rob Roush from Des Moines, IA and Mike Heller from West Des Moines, IA.
Rick Holmes and Randy Reuter from Platteville, WI held down third place with five fish weighing 10.64 pounds. They also were in the lead for the Berkley Big Fish Award with a 2.86-pound walleye.
The Illinois State Championship of Walleye Fishing, which is the second of eight such tournaments on the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) circuit, found Day I to be a day of "What if..." for many of the teams as they tried to lock through to the Clinton Pool. However, they found the lock broken and had to readjust their first day strategy.
"That adds even more drama for tomorrow's action." said Gander Mountain GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer. "The teams who wanted to lock through had some big fish going during pre-fishing, but will they be able to get there?"
So, for those teams who had counted on locking through, Saturday's tournament action was actually a day of pre-fishing to find active fish. "That's what makes fishing tournaments so intriguing," added Barringer. "Steve and Dave have a nice lead after Day I and have to feel good about Saturday's results. However, to win this Championship, they are going to have to have a repeat performance of today."
Sunday's action follows the same format as Saturday with take-off at 7 a.m. and weigh-in at 3 p.m. at the Sunset Park boat ramp. "We had a good crowd today, and I look for a great crowd on Sunday. The second day's weigh-in promises a lot of action, and we'll find out whether teams will be able to lock through or not. I think the crowd will enjoy seeing whether our leaders will be able to hold on and claim the title of champions of the Illinois State Championship of Walleye Fishing or whether another team will be able to make a run at them. With the tournament ending tomorrow, the teams will share their secrets. This will make it a great opportunity for the public to learn more about fishing this portion of the Mississippi River."
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.
By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
Steve Lotz from Lena, IL and Dave Daughenbaugh from McConnell, IL took the Day I lead on Saturday at the Illinois State Championship of Walleye Fishing held on the Mississippi River at the Quad Cities.
Their six-fish limit weight of 12.73 pounds gave them almost a two pound lead heading into the second and final day's action on Sunday.
Sitting in second place with a 6-fish limit weight of 10.84 pounds was the overall regular season Illinois Team of the Year Rob Roush from Des Moines, IA and Mike Heller from West Des Moines, IA.
Rick Holmes and Randy Reuter from Platteville, WI held down third place with five fish weighing 10.64 pounds. They also were in the lead for the Berkley Big Fish Award with a 2.86-pound walleye.
The Illinois State Championship of Walleye Fishing, which is the second of eight such tournaments on the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) circuit, found Day I to be a day of "What if..." for many of the teams as they tried to lock through to the Clinton Pool. However, they found the lock broken and had to readjust their first day strategy.
"That adds even more drama for tomorrow's action." said Gander Mountain GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer. "The teams who wanted to lock through had some big fish going during pre-fishing, but will they be able to get there?"
So, for those teams who had counted on locking through, Saturday's tournament action was actually a day of pre-fishing to find active fish. "That's what makes fishing tournaments so intriguing," added Barringer. "Steve and Dave have a nice lead after Day I and have to feel good about Saturday's results. However, to win this Championship, they are going to have to have a repeat performance of today."
Sunday's action follows the same format as Saturday with take-off at 7 a.m. and weigh-in at 3 p.m. at the Sunset Park boat ramp. "We had a good crowd today, and I look for a great crowd on Sunday. The second day's weigh-in promises a lot of action, and we'll find out whether teams will be able to lock through or not. I think the crowd will enjoy seeing whether our leaders will be able to hold on and claim the title of champions of the Illinois State Championship of Walleye Fishing or whether another team will be able to make a run at them. With the tournament ending tomorrow, the teams will share their secrets. This will make it a great opportunity for the public to learn more about fishing this portion of the Mississippi River."
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.