Ortiz Takes $50,000 Victory in Close South Dakota Tournament

Pierre, SD...It was a close race, but In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) pro Bill Ortiz, Dodgeville, WI claimed the $50,000 first prize. Fishing Lake Sharpe, a 65 mile stretch of the Missouri River in South Dakota, Ortiz proved that consistency pays.

The Lowrance Midwest Pro-Am was his first victory, capped by the Storm Heavyweight 14.69 pound catch on the final day. He made the right decisions because the state regulated “slot” forced anglers to bring in only two walleyes per day over 18 inches; the other four were 15 to 18 inches. Ortiz is a fifth-year pro, winning an average of $2,725 each of the first four years on tour.

Ortiz trolled Hipple Lake, a backwater of the river, just below Pierre, concentrating on the “beach” area in 6 to 10 feet. He ran bottom bouncers and spinners with Northland Rattle beads on long rods. Several top pros worked the same area with a combination of tactics. The main river by Farm Island was also a popular spot in the 10 to 15 foot depths, either jigging or trolling crankbaits.

Second place, only a pound back at 34.26 pounds was pro Michael Dahl, Fargo, ND, who weighed one fish less than his tournament limit. He won $15,000. Claiming third and $10,000 was pro Brian Ney, Baudette, MN, with 33.72 pounds. The winning amateur was Ed Steidler, Bismarck, ND. He won a Lund 17-foot walleye boat with a 50-hp Mercury on an Eagle trailer.

The third day started out under gray skies and 10 mph westerly winds, but by mid-morning the cold front cleared the skies and winds forecast for 20 to 35 quickly built to 45 mph and stronger. About 40 anglers who were 30 to 45 miles down river elected the safe and professional course of action and drove to local access points instead of forcing a 3 to 5 hour journey in waves as high as six feet. Many anglers decided to fish “close” because of the forecast.

Advancing the most places from day one to win the $1,000 Coleman Cool Under Pressure award was rookie pro Kevin Merrill, Pierre, SD. He moved up 85 places. Amateur Greg Abbott, Canton, SD advanced 98 places and won $600. The Storm Heavyweight $500 award went to Ortiz. Abbott won a Plano tackle box loaded with $300 of Storm crankbaits for his part of the Storm Heavyweight award. Ortiz also won the T-H Marine Live Release $500 award for releasing the most walleyes of his catch. Overall, more than 90 percent of the 2,063 walleyes weighed were released.

Bass Pro Shops big fish, 5.79 pounds, on the final day went to amateur Glenn Crose, Marion, IA. It was the largest of the tournament and paid $2,500. Abbott’s 4.56-pounder paid $1,200. Third place went to Bob Allen, Gillette, WY with a 2.93 pound walleye, and fourth was worth $950 for Tom Sperling, Mandan, ND. He had a 2.91-pounder.

Pierre guide John “Cherokee” Hight was honored with the PWT Key award for his valuable boat patrol work during the event. Rick Jorgenson and Susan Winthers received the PWT Host award for the significant contributions of the Pierre Chamber of Commerce in organizing the Lowrance Midwest Pro-Am.

The next tournament, the second in the Dee Zee Western division, will be May 31, and June 1 & 2, on Lake of the Woods in Baudette, MN.

PWT sponsors include: Aqua Vu, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley PowerBait, Blue Fox Tackle, Carhartt, Coleman, Cotton Cordell, Daiichi hooks, Dee Zee truck accessories, Dodge trucks, Eagle Claw, Eagle Trailers, Energizer auto and marine batteries, Guest chargers, Lindy Little Joe, Lowrance Electronics, Lund Boats, Mack’s Lure, Marinco, Mercury Outboards, Master Lock, MinnKota, Rapala Lures, Northland Tackle, Oceanwave sunglasses, Pinnacle rods and reels, Plano, Pugsley’s, the official PWT sandwich, Raytheon Marine, Shimano rods, Storm Lures, Stren fishing lines, T-H Marine, Veryfine, the official PWT beverage and the Pierre Chamber of Commerce 800-962-203