South Dakota Region-Big Stone Results

Waiting 'Em Out Pays Big Dividends at South Dakota Region's Big Stone Lake Tournament

By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
Sometimes it pays to sit on a spot and wait 'em out! That decision paid big dividends for the team of John Kottke from Brookings, SD and Kevin Marso from Volga, SD as they took the $1400 first place check at the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) at Big Stone Lake on Sunday.
Although they only weighed two walleyes, they were beauties and weighed a combined 11.64 pounds. Kottke and Marso 6.04 pounder also earned them the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award of $400 in Berkley products.
Jim Hartman and Brandon Finch from Milbank, SD weighed a six-fish limit of 10.80 pounds, good for second place and a check for $700.
Taking third place and a check for $540 with three fish weighing 8.97 pounds was the team of Dave Anderson from Saulk Rapids, MN and David Krupa from St. Joseph, MN.
Greg Liebel, Gander Mountain GNWC Tournament Director noted the mid-week cold front had a lot to do with the tactics of the teams. "A lot of the teams decided with this drastic of a cold front that it was best for them to sit on a spot and wait the fish out."
Kottke and Marso did just that. According to Kottke, they found walleyes on a rocky hump during prefishing. Knowing that the fish were there, they decided to use slip bobbers and minnows and wait them out.
Hartman and Finch, meanwhile, went with jigs and minnows in 10-12' of water. However, no pattern developed on color, so it was a matter of trying "everything in the tackle box." Plus, it was a narrow window of opportunity because when the wind came up by early afternoon, their bite was over.
Anderson and Krupa worked bottom bouncers and spinners tipped with nightcrawlers to catch their three walleyes.
The "Yo So Close" award of a Yo Net folding net valued at $80 went to the team that placed just out of the money. They include Todd Steffensen and Tim Tesch in 12th place; Darold and Flo Swank in 13th place; and Tony Brown and Kurt Hannasch in 14th place.
The team of Chad Fuller and Matt Pederson was the winner of the Gander Mountain "Need More Stuff" drawing of $200 for a Gander Mountain Shopping Spree.
Liebel was equally impressed with the crowd at the weigh-in. "Even though it was a nice day for fishing, by weigh-in time we had a down pour. However, the crowd stuck around to see the results. That takes real dedication. We also had tremendous volunteer help from the local Ortonville walleye club and other folks interested in tournament fishing."
For complete results, check out the Gander Mountain GNWC wwebsite at www.walleyecup.com.
After two tournaments, the team of Kevin Molengraaf from Volga, SD and Lewis Valentz from White, SD has the lead in the race for the South Dakota Region Team of the Year.
Next up for the South Dakota teams will be a trip west to Lake Oahe at Gettysburg on Sunday, June 6. "Gettysburg could be quite a tournament. I think we will see some really nice baskets of fish come to the scales," added Liebel.
Anglers interested in signing up for the final qualifier or simply 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 with other major national sponsors including Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, the Sportsman Channel, Berkley, Aqua Innovations, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, VIB"E" Lure Company, TowTector Shield and UpNorthOutdoors.com.

Waiting 'Em Out Pays Big Dividends at South Dakota Region's Big Stone Lake Tournament

By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
Sometimes it pays to sit on a spot and wait 'em out! That decision paid big dividends for the team of John Kottke from Brookings, SD and Kevin Marso from Volga, SD as they took the $1400 first place check at the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) at Big Stone Lake on Sunday.
Although they only weighed two walleyes, they were beauties and weighed a combined 11.64 pounds. Kottke and Marso 6.04 pounder also earned them the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award of $400 in Berkley products.
Jim Hartman and Brandon Finch from Milbank, SD weighed a six-fish limit of 10.80 pounds, good for second place and a check for $700.
Taking third place and a check for $540 with three fish weighing 8.97 pounds was the team of Dave Anderson from Saulk Rapids, MN and David Krupa from St. Joseph, MN.
Greg Liebel, Gander Mountain GNWC Tournament Director noted the mid-week cold front had a lot to do with the tactics of the teams. "A lot of the teams decided with this drastic of a cold front that it was best for them to sit on a spot and wait the fish out."
Kottke and Marso did just that. According to Kottke, they found walleyes on a rocky hump during prefishing. Knowing that the fish were there, they decided to use slip bobbers and minnows and wait them out.
Hartman and Finch, meanwhile, went with jigs and minnows in 10-12' of water. However, no pattern developed on color, so it was a matter of trying "everything in the tackle box." Plus, it was a narrow window of opportunity because when the wind came up by early afternoon, their bite was over.
Anderson and Krupa worked bottom bouncers and spinners tipped with nightcrawlers to catch their three walleyes.
The "Yo So Close" award of a Yo Net folding net valued at $80 went to the team that placed just out of the money. They include Todd Steffensen and Tim Tesch in 12th place; Darold and Flo Swank in 13th place; and Tony Brown and Kurt Hannasch in 14th place.
The team of Chad Fuller and Matt Pederson was the winner of the Gander Mountain "Need More Stuff" drawing of $200 for a Gander Mountain Shopping Spree.
Liebel was equally impressed with the crowd at the weigh-in. "Even though it was a nice day for fishing, by weigh-in time we had a down pour. However, the crowd stuck around to see the results. That takes real dedication. We also had tremendous volunteer help from the local Ortonville walleye club and other folks interested in tournament fishing."
For complete results, check out the Gander Mountain GNWC wwebsite at www.walleyecup.com.
After two tournaments, the team of Kevin Molengraaf from Volga, SD and Lewis Valentz from White, SD has the lead in the race for the South Dakota Region Team of the Year.
Next up for the South Dakota teams will be a trip west to Lake Oahe at Gettysburg on Sunday, June 6. "Gettysburg could be quite a tournament. I think we will see some really nice baskets of fish come to the scales," added Liebel.
Anglers interested in signing up for the final qualifier or simply 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 with other major national sponsors including Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, the Sportsman Channel, Berkley, Aqua Innovations, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, VIB"E" Lure Company, TowTector Shield and UpNorthOutdoors.com.

[ScottL]

Congratulations John & Kevin. John if you read this drop me a line. I spent the opener on the "dead sea" without any success, next time your at the cabin let me know.

Regards,

Scott Lee

Since there is six times as much water as dry land on earth, any fool
can plainly see the good Lord meant for man to fish six times as much as he works.

[ScottL]

Congratulations John & Kevin. John if you read this drop me a line. I spent the opener on the "dead sea" without any success, next time your at the cabin let me know.

Regards,

Scott Lee

Since there is six times as much water as dry land on earth, any fool
can plainly see the good Lord meant for man to fish six times as much as he works.