Washington Pro Bobby Crow Wins PWT at Mobridge, SD

"Finally," was all Bobby Crow said after winning the Johnsonville Brats/Mercury Pro-Am in Mobridge, SD. The Paterson, Wash. pro walleye angler has fished the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail since 2000. His previous best finish was a second at the 2002 Mercury Championship in Bismarck, ND, on the Missouri River. He has five top-10 place trophies. He edged pro Gary Roach, Merrifield, Minn., by two pounds. Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, Wis., held third all three days. These pro anglers collected prizes of $64,000 (Crow won a Lund/Mercury boat on an E-Z Loader trailer and $30,000), $20,000 for Roach and $13,000 for Kavajecz. The winning amateur, Gale Johnson, Imperial, Neb. towed home a 17-foot Lund/Mercury boat valued at $17,000. A total of $300,000 was awarded at the Bay Resort, following the July 27-29 tournament. Crow's trolling tactics with Reef Runner deep diver crankbaits at 24 to 40 feet over points and humps worked all three days. He fished from the Highway 212 Bridge north about 10 miles. Best colors were "Monkey Puke, Wonder Bread and Wild Thing." As the final event of the MotorGuide West Division, the top pro, John Butts, Dryden, Ontario, won a MotorGuide trolling motor and a SnowSport snowplow. He will lead the west division anglers to the Mercury Championship. The other nine qualifiers are Bob Propst, Jr., Pierre, SD; Larry Snow, Kenora, Ontario; Sheldon Meidinger, Bismarck, ND; Bill Hall, Algona, Iowa; Charlie Johnson, Merrifield, Minn.; Scott Ziegler, North Platte, Neb.; Ross Grothe, Northfield, Minn.; Sam Anderson, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.; Jason Tomich, Omaha, Neb. They head to Milford Lake in Junction City, Kansas in September. The touring pros criss-crossing the walleye world have one more tournament at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. to determine Johnsonville Brats Angler of the Year. Leading after Mobridge is pro Mark Brumbaugh, Arcanum, Ohio. Mike Gofron, Antioch, Ill., slipped to second by three points. The standings are printed, along with many other records, photos and stories on the PWT website, www.professionalwalleyetrail.com. The final day Coleman Big Fish went to pro Daryl Christensen, Montello, Wis. and John Mascarello, Plattsmouth, Neb. Their 5.64 pounder was worth $1,000. The Navionics Spot-on-the-Spot award went to pro Gary Roach for concentrating on one stretch of an old roadbed all three days. He won $500. The Gerbing's Hot Pro award to the pro making a big impact and moving up in the standings went to rookie pro Jason Tomich. He won $500 cash and a $500 Gerbing's heated foul-weather suit. He also qualified for the Championship, making up 10 spots. Moving up the most places after day one, 61, and winning the Coleman Cool Under Pressure award was pro Rick Gardner, Greeley, Col. On the amateur/co-angler side, Troy Wright, Spicer, Minn. won the Coleman honors. John Bergsma, Walker, Mich., won the Dave's Ka-Boom Close Call $500 award for placing 41st. The PWT works closely with the Mobridge Chamber of Commerce (605-845-2387) and the Grand River Casino (605-845-7104) these business partners: Mercury Marine, Lund, The Outdoor Channel, Berkley, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Lowrance, MinnKota, Trilene, Frenzy, Blue Fox, Powerbait, Johnsonville Brats, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, GULP!, Coleman, Storm, Boat Buckle, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, Kwik Pfyt, E-Z Loader, Raymarine, Rapala, Matzuo, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Gerbing's Heated Clothing, Aqua-Vu, Save Phace, Plano, Stowmaster.net, Navionics, Access Roll-up Cover, Yellow Bird, DOW Chemical, Dave's Lures, The State Bank Group, Yo-Zuri and Reef Runner. The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America's leading producer of targeted media.