PWT Pro Tom Kemos Claims Day
One Lead at Merc Championship
Day one of the 2006 Mercury Championship will go down as the
coldest
PWT tournament yet. The In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail
top
qualifiers faced 22-degree temperatures when they rolled out
of bed, and 29
when they aimed down the Missouri River.
Water temps had dropped 20 degrees to 41 degrees since the
world's
best walleye pro anglers arrived in Bismarck, ND, one week ago.
They
qualified by virtue of their successes on the Super Pro series
presented by
MinnKota and the Regional Series presented by MotorGuide.
Combined with the 20 to 30 mph northwest winds, anglers faced
tough
conditions. However, Tom Kemos, Oconomowoc, Wis., landed a 4-fish
PWT limit
for 12.95 pounds. Like a NASCAR driver, he ran out of gas about
200 yards
before making it back to the launch ramp. He turned on his bow
mount
trolling motor and with the power of Optima Batteries, made
it back just in
time.
The 2002 Bismarck Champion Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, Wis.,
weighed
11.82 pounds for second place. Jim Muzynoski, Bozeman, Montana,
placed
third with 11.10 pounds. Tom Backer, Fargo, the highest-ranking
North
Dakota pro, was fourth with 10.92 pounds. Aqua-Vu Rookie of
the Year Pat
Neu, Forestville, Wis., was fifth with 10.35 pounds. All had
limits.
Kavajecz landed Coleman Big Fish, at 4.60 pounds. Day two
opens
with temperatures forecast to be cooler, with a warming trend
to follow.
The largest day one fan turnout of any previous PWT Championship
occurred, with many enjoying the youth activities at the Sport
Show.
Saturday's gala weigh-in ceremonies start at 6 p.m., with the
Sport show
open at noon. A smiling 250 youngsters walked home with Plano
tackle boxes,
and another 250 will do so Saturday. On Sunday, 1,000 youngsters
will win
Shakespeare rods and reels.
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. PWT promotional partners
include:
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, Tommy Docks, Smooth Moves
Seat
Mounts, E-Village, Kwik Pfyt, Raymarine, Mack's Lures, Rapala,
Pflueger,
Ram rod holders, Gerbing's Heated Clothing, Aqua-Vu, Plano,
Stowmaster.net,
Navionics, Yellow Bird, Beckman, Drift Control, Gemini Sport
Marketing,
Yo-Zuri , Reef Runner, Bismarck/Mandan CVB, 701.222.4308 and
Bismarck Civic
Center 701.222.6487.
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