Best ‘Bite’ in Years Thwarted by Strong Winds at
PWT Regional in Winneconne
Spring finally arrived in central Wisconsin over the weekend,
and In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail anglers surprised
themselves at the size and numbers of walleyes in the Lake Winnebago
system. Then the Johnsonville Brats Pro-Am, part of the MotorGuide
Regional series, opened with northeast winds, blowing apart most
game plans.
Pro Gary Parsons, Glidden, Wis., was amazed at the great Lake
Winnebago catches during the practice period, and expected much
more weight than the eighth place 11.29 pounds he weighed on day
one. His comments were repeated numerous times on stage at Winneconne’s
Waterfront Park in front of hundreds of hearty fishing fans.
Leading after day one is veteran pro Scott Fairbairn, Hager City,
Wis. His 14.94 pounds eclipsed rookie pro Luke Leanna, Oakfield,
Wis., who weighed 14.37 pounds. They fished with amateurs/co-anglers
Adam Brueggen, Onalaska, Wis. and Bruce Peterson, Appleton, Wis.,
respectively.
Cedarville, Mich., pro Mike McMaken, holds third place with 12.55
pounds. Rookie pro Eric Schuelke, Jackson, Wis., who finished
fourth at the recent Chamberlain, SD Regional, is in fourth place
again with 11.75 pounds. Gary “Mr. Walleye” Roach,
Merrifield, Minn., is fifth with 11.50 pounds. Only three pounds
separate Roach from 40th place.
Leanna and Peterson caught the day one Coleman Big Fish at 5.46
pounds. Many anglers trolled crankbaits in the Lakes Poygan, Winneconne
and Butte des Morts. Others slip-bobbered and jigged the rocks.
Last year, the Wolf River above Lake Poygan proved popular for
most of the field. This year, the lakes saw most of the action.
The full field of 120 boats heads out Thursday and Friday at 7
a.m., with weigh-in starting at 3 p.m. In addition to the stage
fun, a free rock-climbing wall and catfish tank provide challenges
to youngsters. On Friday, the pros share their what/where/when/how
secrets.
The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications
Network headquartered in Baxter, Minnesota, and INTER-MEDIA, America's
leading producer of targeted media. PWT promotional partners include:
Mercury Marine, Lund Boats, Berkley, Lowrance Electronics, Optima
Batteries, Minn Kota, Realtree, MotorGuide, Johnsonville Brats,
Outdoor Channel, Coleman, Northland Fishing Tackle, StowMaster,
Reef Runner, Yo-Zuri Quality Lures, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts,
Kwik Pfyt Mud Flaps, Yellow Bird Planer Boards, Allstar Graphics,
Ram Mounts, Element Edge, Pflueger, Plano Tackle Systems, Aikens
Lake Wilderness Lodge, E-Cell, Cannon, Fin-Tech Tackle, Do-It
Molds, Winneconne Village 920.582.4851 and the Chamber of Commerce
920.582.4775.
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