Steve Weisman-GNWC
06-27-2004, 11:41 PM
Pulse, Handel Take Final South Dakota Tournament at Lake Thompson
By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
How would you like to catch a 30" walleye and have to release it because you already had two others in the live well just as large? That's what Lee Pulse from Kimball, SD and Scott Handel from Chamberlain, SD had to do at Sunday's Lake Thompson Tournament on the South Dakota Region of the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC).
However, it didn't matter as Pulse and Handel ran away from the rest of the competition with a six-fish weight of 21.44 pounds and a check for $1400. Their 9.10-pound walleye also earned them the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award of $400 in Berkley products.
Second place and a check for $700 went to the team of Shane Christenson from Bruce, SD and James Molengraaf from White, SD with six fish weighing 17.60 pounds.
Shane Spooner from Watertown, SD and Aaron Bjerke from Bradley, SD collected the third place check of $540 for bringing four fish to the scales weighing 16.70 pounds.
According to Gander Mountain GNWC Tournament Director Greg Liebel, the bite was early and short-lived. "Most of the teams caught their fish in the first hour when we had some wind and during the rain. When the wind died down, the fish, for the most part, just shut off."
Pulse and Handel worked 18-20' using lead core line to pull Reef Runners' Little Rippers, while Christenson and Molengraaf also used Reef Runners, but also tried jointed Shad Raps.
"I'd say at least half of the teams pulled plugs in the deeper water," noted Liebel. "These teams showed how important it is to be on top of the fish when the bite is going."
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 Mike Kayser from Mitchell, SD and Jeremy Kayser from Alexandria, MN in 11th place; Brand Leonard from Estherville, IA and Mel Reilching from Watertown, SD in 12th place; and Darold and Flo Swank from Pierre, SD in 13th place.
The winner of the Gander Mountain "Need More Stuff" drawing of $200 for a Gander Mountain Shopping Spree was the team of Clint Schroedermeier from Davis, SD and Colin Beitelspacher from Sioux Falls, SD.
For complete results, check out the Gander Mountain GNWC wwebsite at www.walleyecup.com.
The team of Christenson and Molengraaf won the South Dakota Region Team of the Year with 30 points, 18 points ahead of their nearest competitor.
Next up for the South Dakota teams will be the South Dakota Regional Championships at Lake Kampeska August 21-22.
Anglers interested 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.
By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
How would you like to catch a 30" walleye and have to release it because you already had two others in the live well just as large? That's what Lee Pulse from Kimball, SD and Scott Handel from Chamberlain, SD had to do at Sunday's Lake Thompson Tournament on the South Dakota Region of the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC).
However, it didn't matter as Pulse and Handel ran away from the rest of the competition with a six-fish weight of 21.44 pounds and a check for $1400. Their 9.10-pound walleye also earned them the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award of $400 in Berkley products.
Second place and a check for $700 went to the team of Shane Christenson from Bruce, SD and James Molengraaf from White, SD with six fish weighing 17.60 pounds.
Shane Spooner from Watertown, SD and Aaron Bjerke from Bradley, SD collected the third place check of $540 for bringing four fish to the scales weighing 16.70 pounds.
According to Gander Mountain GNWC Tournament Director Greg Liebel, the bite was early and short-lived. "Most of the teams caught their fish in the first hour when we had some wind and during the rain. When the wind died down, the fish, for the most part, just shut off."
Pulse and Handel worked 18-20' using lead core line to pull Reef Runners' Little Rippers, while Christenson and Molengraaf also used Reef Runners, but also tried jointed Shad Raps.
"I'd say at least half of the teams pulled plugs in the deeper water," noted Liebel. "These teams showed how important it is to be on top of the fish when the bite is going."
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 Mike Kayser from Mitchell, SD and Jeremy Kayser from Alexandria, MN in 11th place; Brand Leonard from Estherville, IA and Mel Reilching from Watertown, SD in 12th place; and Darold and Flo Swank from Pierre, SD in 13th place.
The winner of the Gander Mountain "Need More Stuff" drawing of $200 for a Gander Mountain Shopping Spree was the team of Clint Schroedermeier from Davis, SD and Colin Beitelspacher from Sioux Falls, SD.
For complete results, check out the Gander Mountain GNWC wwebsite at www.walleyecup.com.
The team of Christenson and Molengraaf won the South Dakota Region Team of the Year with 30 points, 18 points ahead of their nearest competitor.
Next up for the South Dakota teams will be the South Dakota Regional Championships at Lake Kampeska August 21-22.
Anglers interested 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.