Steve Weisman-GNWC
10-08-2004, 06:29 PM
Oldakowski, Westman Move into Lead on Day II of Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup National Championship
By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
Rain and a strong northwest wind could not stop the Gander Mountain
Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) teams as they continued to bring in six-fish limits on Day II of the three-day National Championship on the Lake of the Woods.
Taking the lead on Day II with a two-day limit weight of 44.64 pounds was the team of Dave Oldakowski from Ham Lake, MN and Sean Westman from Andover, MN. Their first day weight of 21.93 pounds was good enough for second place, and they followed that up with 22.71 pounds to forge into over a four-pound lead heading into Saturday's final day.
Meanwhile, Frank Wood from Mason City, IA and Lance Thoe from Clear Lake, IA made an even stronger move on Day II that took them from 10th place on Thursday to the runner-up spot on Friday and a combined weight of 40.10 pounds.
The first day leader Larry Booghier from Springfield, OH and Tom Moulton from Cambria, WI, who had a weight of 23.77 pounds on Thursday, slipped to third place with a two-day weight of 40.01 pounds. Lack of a big kicker fish made the difference, but they were still well within striking distance of the leaders.
Big fish of the day was a 10.4 pounder taken by Mark Lemke from Davisburg, MI and Lary Axsom from Pontiac, MN. That lunker gave them the largest single day basket of the tournament at 25.60 pounds and moved them into 8th place overall.
"This is incredible!" noted Gander Mountain GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer. "This is what happens when you combine an incredible fishery with some of the best walleye anglers in the country. It will be really be interesting tomorrow because the weather is going to change again with sunny skies, and very light winds are predicted."
Barringer noted that the title is still definitely up for grabs. "Lemke and Axsom showed that today when their big basket moved them from 48th place to 8th place."
As one of the competitors noted on stage, "It's kind of like playing a slot machine. Sometimes you hit it right, and when you do, it can be a jackpot."
With the winds on Thursday and Friday, the teams were limited to fishing the Rainy River and were not able to fish the Lake of the Woods. With mild weather predicted for Saturday, Barringer shared a thought about the big waters. "Everybody knows what is out there - big 'eyes! They're kind that can turn a tournament around. However, it becomes a guessing game, because there will only be eight hours left, and that means there will be no room for mistakes."
Those interested in checking out the standings or simply learning more about the circuit can access the Gander Mountain GNWC website at www.walleyecup.com. "We're also putting the results on the Walleye Central Live Leader Board," added Barringer. "So, people at home can follow the action right along with the spectators at the weigh-in. I anticipate a great crowd tomorrow when we give away two fully rigged Skeeter Boats and $10,000 dollars in cash to the winners."
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
Rain and a strong northwest wind could not stop the Gander Mountain
Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) teams as they continued to bring in six-fish limits on Day II of the three-day National Championship on the Lake of the Woods.
Taking the lead on Day II with a two-day limit weight of 44.64 pounds was the team of Dave Oldakowski from Ham Lake, MN and Sean Westman from Andover, MN. Their first day weight of 21.93 pounds was good enough for second place, and they followed that up with 22.71 pounds to forge into over a four-pound lead heading into Saturday's final day.
Meanwhile, Frank Wood from Mason City, IA and Lance Thoe from Clear Lake, IA made an even stronger move on Day II that took them from 10th place on Thursday to the runner-up spot on Friday and a combined weight of 40.10 pounds.
The first day leader Larry Booghier from Springfield, OH and Tom Moulton from Cambria, WI, who had a weight of 23.77 pounds on Thursday, slipped to third place with a two-day weight of 40.01 pounds. Lack of a big kicker fish made the difference, but they were still well within striking distance of the leaders.
Big fish of the day was a 10.4 pounder taken by Mark Lemke from Davisburg, MI and Lary Axsom from Pontiac, MN. That lunker gave them the largest single day basket of the tournament at 25.60 pounds and moved them into 8th place overall.
"This is incredible!" noted Gander Mountain GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer. "This is what happens when you combine an incredible fishery with some of the best walleye anglers in the country. It will be really be interesting tomorrow because the weather is going to change again with sunny skies, and very light winds are predicted."
Barringer noted that the title is still definitely up for grabs. "Lemke and Axsom showed that today when their big basket moved them from 48th place to 8th place."
As one of the competitors noted on stage, "It's kind of like playing a slot machine. Sometimes you hit it right, and when you do, it can be a jackpot."
With the winds on Thursday and Friday, the teams were limited to fishing the Rainy River and were not able to fish the Lake of the Woods. With mild weather predicted for Saturday, Barringer shared a thought about the big waters. "Everybody knows what is out there - big 'eyes! They're kind that can turn a tournament around. However, it becomes a guessing game, because there will only be eight hours left, and that means there will be no room for mistakes."
Those interested in checking out the standings or simply learning more about the circuit can access the Gander Mountain GNWC website at www.walleyecup.com. "We're also putting the results on the Walleye Central Live Leader Board," added Barringer. "So, people at home can follow the action right along with the spectators at the weigh-in. I anticipate a great crowd tomorrow when we give away two fully rigged Skeeter Boats and $10,000 dollars in cash to the winners."
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