View Full Version : Wissota FLW league final question
Jason Halfen UL
03-11-2009, 10:52 AM
I've sent an e-mail to Sonny asking this question, but have yet to receive a reply. I'm hoping that someone here might know the answer, or that Sonny could answer this during his WC chat session tonight.
My question is about the FLW league finals at Lake Wissota. I ask this question as a guide with a number of years of experience on Wissota, and also as a FLW competitor who hopes to qualify for the championship.
Wissota has a 14-18" protected (100% release) slot, with only one fish over 18" allowed per angler. That means that an FLW tournament boat could have up to 2 fish over 18" (one per competitor). Fish under 14" are allowed in possession by the local regs, but FLW rules state that fish must be over 14" to be weighed.
After conversations with our local fisheries biologist (who issued the tournament permit), it is clear that the 14-18" release slot will be in force for FLW tournament anglers. No provision has been made for relaxing that release slot for the event.
So my question is: what does FLW plan to have for its bag limit on Wissota for the finals? 2 fish over 18" (essentially a big fish contest), or will sub-14" fish be allowed in the bag?
Dean IOWA
03-11-2009, 11:33 AM
If that is true, it is going to make for an interesting tournament. I wonder if this was overlooked when deciding on the location.
tzonetom
03-11-2009, 12:05 PM
He's right. I fish there fairly regular. Cathing a fish under 14" was difficult the 4 times I fished it last year.
I was wondering the same thing awhile back when I saw that. Maybe the regs were change for this year. It is a pretty good place to fish. No shortage of eyeballers.
Alumacraft1
03-11-2009, 02:18 PM
I was wondering the same. I fished a tournament where some fish were DQd. Besides who hold up a 13 incher for the crowd?
I was wondering the same. I fished a tournament where some fish were DQd. Besides who hold up a 13 incher for the crowd?
No one.
Is it hard to catch the two over 18's there? Think they might hold those up? Yes?
Juls
Jason Halfen UL
03-11-2009, 03:34 PM
No one.
Is it hard to catch the two over 18's there? Think they might hold those up? Yes?
Juls
Juls, it can be, especially at that time of year.
During the past 3 seasons, my late summer-early fall guide trips have averaged about 1"over" per full day trip. That average is backed up by real catches and real measurements. The fish are there....my May/June "primetime" trips peak at 6-7 overs per trip.
Without the "unders" in the bag this September, there will be a lot of zeros in the field.
Other species will be on fire at that time. Smallies will be throwing themselves at boats, tournament boats will hook up a bunch of muskies, and the big crappies will be around as well. Finding those "overs" on a consistent basis will be the challenge.
what an excellent scenario for a championship, bring your A game or get a big zero. i am sure some you have had a tuff bite at wissota , but these anglers will be qualifying buy being good at adapting to at least three different situations to get here.:cheers: and to suggest the FLW did'nt research the lake laws? oh boy...:cookoo:
KHedquist
03-11-2009, 08:54 PM
I missed the interview with Sonny, any info on the above topic?
dingbat
03-12-2009, 05:06 AM
but these anglers will be qualifying buy being good at adapting to at least three different situations to get here.:cheers:
Boy you got that right. Here in Michigan we get to adapt to three different methods of open water trolling.
The winning combination will probably be three different color blades.
tzonetom
03-12-2009, 07:11 AM
I've done pretty well on Wissota with jigs and cranks. I haven't trolled once out there.
It is a fun place to fish, they'll catch lots of walleyes, and yes, sometimes those 18"+ are hard to get in there.
mrbreeze
03-12-2009, 07:23 AM
Huh. Makes AIM's catch-record-release idea seem like not too bad of a plan doesn't it?
I'm sure this was fully researched, so I look forward to FLW's plan. My assumption is that two 18 inchers per team might, in fact, be the plan.
I missed the interview with Sonny, any info on the above topic?
http://www.walleyecentral.com/articles/?a=2066
Alumacraft1
03-15-2009, 07:10 AM
If any finds out anymore info please inform. Im basing my decision on the FLW League on this. Now that Spring Valley is cancelled this gives me time to do more research. Good luck to you all this year. Be safe out there.
tzonetom ul
03-15-2009, 10:47 AM
If any finds out anymore info please inform. Im basing my decision on the FLW League on this. Now that Spring Valley is cancelled this gives me time to do more research. Good luck to you all this year. Be safe out there.
I wouldn't worry about that. You need to get there first. Not as easy as it sounds...trust me.