The father-son team of Cal Stier and Cal Stier, II, from Bath, MI captured Saturday's Houghton Lake tournament and the $1400 first place check with a six-fish limit weight of 14.32 pounds. For teams fishing the Michigan Region of the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC), this was the first of two single day tournaments at Houghton Lake with the second day's action taking place on Sunday.
It was the smallest of margins, however, as the second place team of Steve Stier and Scott Deyarmond also from Bath, MI, brought a six-fish limit weight of 14.31 pounds to the scales.
"What a finish," exclaimed Gander Mountain GNWC Tournament Director Gary Bowman. "You just can't get things any closer than this!"
The difference between the two teams was the 5.04-pound kicker fish that the Stier duo used to capture the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award and $400 in Berkley products.
The younger Stier noted that his dad had caught the big fish and jokingly said, "I didn't know if it was fact or not, but I understand now that he is a pretty good fisherman!"
Presentations were even the same for the top two teams as they used a technique known as snap jigging along the weed edges and in the open pockets. They would cast 3/8-ounce jigs tipped with pumpkinseed colored three inch plastic worms and then snap the rig through the weeds to trigger a strike.
The third place team of Craig Michaels from North Farmington, MI and Kern Michaels from Livonnia, MI won $550 with their six-fish limit weight of 12.89 pounds. They worked bottom bouncers and worm harnesses in 8-12' of water along the weed edges.
"This is truly a unique opportunity for the teams on the Michigan circuit," added Bowman, "because today's tournament was the replacement for the Muskegon tournament that was cancelled on May 23. Many of these same teams will be fishing the regularly scheduled Houghton Lake tournament tomorrow. For that reason, the teams didn't divulge as much information at today's weigh-in as they usually do. Tomorrow will be a different story."
Additional awards were also given. The "Yo So Close" award of a Yo Net folding net valued at $80 went to the three teams that placed just out of the money. They include Paul Schmidt from Pickford, MI and Mike Angerhofer from Bay City, MI in 11th place; Don Curler from Bay City, MI and Ernie Plant from Pinconning, MI in 12th place; and Terry Mackillop from Houghton Lake, MI and Troy Stachler from Dafter, MI in 13th place.
Scott and Trina Cain from Midland, MI were the winners of the Gander Mountain "Need More Stuff" drawing of $200 for a Gander Mountain Shopping Spree.
For complete results of the Houghton Lake tournament, check out the Gander Mountain GNWC website at www.walleyecup.com.
Anglers interested in signing up for a future qualifier or simply wanting more information on the GNWC circuit can call 1-800-890-FISH (3474), or they can email the GNWC at [email protected].
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. |
