Steve Weisman
04-10-2005, 07:24 PM
Vernon, Warnke Take GNWC Opener at Mosquito Creek
By Steve Weisman
GNWC Publicity Director
Sorting through numbers was the name of the game for the teams fishing the Ohio Region of the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) at Sunday's opening tournament at Mosquito Creek.
The team of Kevin Vernon from Westerville, OH and Derik Warnke from Aurora, OH made the most of their 6-fish limit weight of 13.29 pounds to capture the $1600 first place check.
Vernon and Warnke echoed the sentiments of many of the competing teams saying, "It was tough and took a lot of work to get a limit." Even so, 43 of the 46 teams weighed fish, and 15 teams brought six-fish limits to the stage.
Lyle Heidenwith, GNWC Tournament Director, was pleased with the efforts of the teams' efforts. "They all gave a great effort. I think the Ohio Region is going to be a lot of fun this year."
Heidenwith continued, "It was tough work for these teams, and team after team talked about the numbers of short fish they caught. It took a lot of persistence to get a limit."
Mike and Tom Defibaugh from Bellefontaine, OH took second place and a check for $800 with a 6-fish limit weight of 12.41 pounds, while Joe and Darren Dossi from Louisville, OH cashed a check for $520 with their third place six-fish weight of 11.78 pounds.
The big walleye of the tournament was taken by William Christopher from Smithville, PA and Edward Thomas from Farmington, PA with a 5.50-pound walleye.
Although the teams tried a variety of presentations, the presentation that seemed to trigger the fish was casting plugs.
The Yo So Close Award for the three teams just finishing out of the money went to Chuck Sadatose from Brockport, PA and Rick Fike from Farmington, PA in 13th place; William Christopher from Smithville, PA and Edward Thomas from Farmington, PA in 14th place; and John Cook from Dayton, OH and Marc Colwell from Springfield, OH in 15th place.
Heidenwith added, "I think the Ohio Region is going to be an exciting circuit. Last year at the first tournament we had 18 teams, so having 46 teams this year is a great way to start the season."
Next up on the Ohio Region is the Lake Erie qualifier on April 30. 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 said, "I encourage people to check out our website at www.walleyecup.com. With the season now underway, I think people will find it extremely interesting to see how the teams do in each of the seven regions."
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
GNWC Publicity Director
Sorting through numbers was the name of the game for the teams fishing the Ohio Region of the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) at Sunday's opening tournament at Mosquito Creek.
The team of Kevin Vernon from Westerville, OH and Derik Warnke from Aurora, OH made the most of their 6-fish limit weight of 13.29 pounds to capture the $1600 first place check.
Vernon and Warnke echoed the sentiments of many of the competing teams saying, "It was tough and took a lot of work to get a limit." Even so, 43 of the 46 teams weighed fish, and 15 teams brought six-fish limits to the stage.
Lyle Heidenwith, GNWC Tournament Director, was pleased with the efforts of the teams' efforts. "They all gave a great effort. I think the Ohio Region is going to be a lot of fun this year."
Heidenwith continued, "It was tough work for these teams, and team after team talked about the numbers of short fish they caught. It took a lot of persistence to get a limit."
Mike and Tom Defibaugh from Bellefontaine, OH took second place and a check for $800 with a 6-fish limit weight of 12.41 pounds, while Joe and Darren Dossi from Louisville, OH cashed a check for $520 with their third place six-fish weight of 11.78 pounds.
The big walleye of the tournament was taken by William Christopher from Smithville, PA and Edward Thomas from Farmington, PA with a 5.50-pound walleye.
Although the teams tried a variety of presentations, the presentation that seemed to trigger the fish was casting plugs.
The Yo So Close Award for the three teams just finishing out of the money went to Chuck Sadatose from Brockport, PA and Rick Fike from Farmington, PA in 13th place; William Christopher from Smithville, PA and Edward Thomas from Farmington, PA in 14th place; and John Cook from Dayton, OH and Marc Colwell from Springfield, OH in 15th place.
Heidenwith added, "I think the Ohio Region is going to be an exciting circuit. Last year at the first tournament we had 18 teams, so having 46 teams this year is a great way to start the season."
Next up on the Ohio Region is the Lake Erie qualifier on April 30. 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 said, "I encourage people to check out our website at www.walleyecup.com. With the season now underway, I think people will find it extremely interesting to see how the teams do in each of the seven regions."
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.