Steve Weisman
04-17-2005, 07:15 PM
GNWC Teams Catch Big 'Eyes at Detroit River Tournament
By Steve Weisman
Grand National Walleye Cup Publicity Director
A two-week postponement at Detroit River paid big dividends for the teams fishing the Michigan Region of the Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC). Instead of battling floating debris and high waters, the anglers had excellent weather conditions and were able to concentrate on getting the big 'eyes to bite.
A total of 32 teams brought six-fish limits to the scales, and three walleyes weighed over 10 pounds.
Leading the way was the team of Jeremy and Justin Watkins from Carlisle, IN with a six-fish limit weight of 38.55 pounds. They cashed a check for $1800 for their efforts.
Mark and Steven Ehrke from Grand Blanc, MI brought home the second place check of $900 with their six-fish limit weight of 37.74 pounds.
Third place and a check for $600 went to the team of Steve Velete from Belleville, MI and Keith Krych from St. Claire Shores, MI. Their six-fish limit weighed 36.34 pounds.
Big Fish honors and $420 in cash went to Joe Lockman from Middleville, MI and Andy Vanderweide from Hudsonville, MI with an 11.26-pound walleye. They boated the 'eye about noon. They were also pulling deep diving Husky Jerks.
With the wind not a factor, the teams were able to fish their choice of waters from the Detroit River, to Canadian waters to Lake Erie. The Watkins team found success north of Rattle Snake Island pulling deep diving Husky Jerks at .9 to 1.2 mph in 30-32 foot of water. They caught most of their fish between 8-11:30 a.m. and found that frequently changing baits and colors seemed to trigger the fish.
The Ehrke duo worked the 45-55 foot depths around Niagara Reef pulling both Reef Runner Rip Sticks and deep diving Husky Jerks. However, they kicked the speed up to between 1.5 and 1.7 mph.
Velete and Krych also found success near Niagara Reef. However, they went to crawler harnesses with chartreuse blades and white beads. Speed and depth were crucial as pulled them at less than 1 mph in 35 foot of water.
GNWC Tournament Director Lyle Heidenwith was ecstatic with the results of the Detroit River tournament. "These teams really put on a show. The nice thing is the teams didn't have to battle bad weather or high water. This is a great fishery and even though the teams found the bite to be slow, they still caught fish."
The Yo So Close Award, provided by AMFYOYO, manufacturer of the innovative stowable folding landing net, went to the three teams just finishing out of the money. They include Dennis Osborn from Warren, MI and Kevin Kasak from Sterling Heights, MI in 15th place; Mike Harris from Rothbury, MI and Bill Murhead from Traverse City, MI in 16th place; and Don Howard from Davison, MI and Patt Marr from Merrill, MI in 17th place.
Next up on the Michigan Region is Houghton Lake on Sunday, May 15. For those interested in entering this or any of the remaining qualifiers, call 1-800-890-FISH (3474), or email the GNWC at info@walleyecup.com.
GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer added, " I encourage people to check out our website at www.walleyecup.com. I think people will find it extremely interesting to see how the teams do in each of the seven regions. Today's tournament is a great way for the Michigan teams to start the season. The growth in this circuit is incredible."
Major national sponsors for the GNWC include Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Lowrance Electronics, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, Aqua-VU, Aqua Innovations, Towtector Shield, VIB"E" Lure Company and UpNorthOutdoors.com.
By Steve Weisman
Grand National Walleye Cup Publicity Director
A two-week postponement at Detroit River paid big dividends for the teams fishing the Michigan Region of the Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC). Instead of battling floating debris and high waters, the anglers had excellent weather conditions and were able to concentrate on getting the big 'eyes to bite.
A total of 32 teams brought six-fish limits to the scales, and three walleyes weighed over 10 pounds.
Leading the way was the team of Jeremy and Justin Watkins from Carlisle, IN with a six-fish limit weight of 38.55 pounds. They cashed a check for $1800 for their efforts.
Mark and Steven Ehrke from Grand Blanc, MI brought home the second place check of $900 with their six-fish limit weight of 37.74 pounds.
Third place and a check for $600 went to the team of Steve Velete from Belleville, MI and Keith Krych from St. Claire Shores, MI. Their six-fish limit weighed 36.34 pounds.
Big Fish honors and $420 in cash went to Joe Lockman from Middleville, MI and Andy Vanderweide from Hudsonville, MI with an 11.26-pound walleye. They boated the 'eye about noon. They were also pulling deep diving Husky Jerks.
With the wind not a factor, the teams were able to fish their choice of waters from the Detroit River, to Canadian waters to Lake Erie. The Watkins team found success north of Rattle Snake Island pulling deep diving Husky Jerks at .9 to 1.2 mph in 30-32 foot of water. They caught most of their fish between 8-11:30 a.m. and found that frequently changing baits and colors seemed to trigger the fish.
The Ehrke duo worked the 45-55 foot depths around Niagara Reef pulling both Reef Runner Rip Sticks and deep diving Husky Jerks. However, they kicked the speed up to between 1.5 and 1.7 mph.
Velete and Krych also found success near Niagara Reef. However, they went to crawler harnesses with chartreuse blades and white beads. Speed and depth were crucial as pulled them at less than 1 mph in 35 foot of water.
GNWC Tournament Director Lyle Heidenwith was ecstatic with the results of the Detroit River tournament. "These teams really put on a show. The nice thing is the teams didn't have to battle bad weather or high water. This is a great fishery and even though the teams found the bite to be slow, they still caught fish."
The Yo So Close Award, provided by AMFYOYO, manufacturer of the innovative stowable folding landing net, went to the three teams just finishing out of the money. They include Dennis Osborn from Warren, MI and Kevin Kasak from Sterling Heights, MI in 15th place; Mike Harris from Rothbury, MI and Bill Murhead from Traverse City, MI in 16th place; and Don Howard from Davison, MI and Patt Marr from Merrill, MI in 17th place.
Next up on the Michigan Region is Houghton Lake on Sunday, May 15. For those interested in entering this or any of the remaining qualifiers, call 1-800-890-FISH (3474), or email the GNWC at info@walleyecup.com.
GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer added, " I encourage people to check out our website at www.walleyecup.com. I think people will find it extremely interesting to see how the teams do in each of the seven regions. Today's tournament is a great way for the Michigan teams to start the season. The growth in this circuit is incredible."
Major national sponsors for the GNWC include Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Lowrance Electronics, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, Aqua-VU, Aqua Innovations, Towtector Shield, VIB"E" Lure Company and UpNorthOutdoors.com.