Sunny, mild spring weather with temperatures in the mid-50s was a welcome change from last weekend's cold, but the competing teams still found the walleye bite tough at the Grand National Walleye Cup s (GNWC) Wisconsin opener held on the Lake Winnebago chain and the Wolf River, Saturday, April 12.
The team of Clifford Jakusz from Stevens Point and Brad Jakusz from Plover led the way with three fish weighing 3.60 pounds. They not only captured the $1000 for first place but also won $250 in Berkley products for being the top Berkley Family Angler team.
Taking second place was the team of John Bella from Stevens Point and Joseph Besieda from Wisconsin Rapids. Their three walleyes tipped the scales at 3.04 pounds. They cashed a check for $500.
The team of Ben Bull from Poynette and Michael VanWormer from Portage claimed third place, a check for $300 and also the Abu Garcia Big Fish Award of two Abu Garcia 6500 Linecounter reels for their one walleye weighing 2.52 pounds.
Scott and Brian Larsen from Kenosha finished fourth ($250) with two walleyes weighing 2.17 pounds, while David and Adam Rasmussen from Stevens Point placed fifth ($200) with one walleye weighing 1.19 pounds. Just out of the money in sixth place was the team of Chuck and Karen Dorner from Sobieski with one walleye weighing 1.17 pounds.
According to GNWC Director Bernie Barringer, "The teams really had to work for everything they caught. Even on a great fishery such as this, when the water temperatures are not quite right, the fishing can be incredibly tough. Even the top teams had to claw and scratch for everything they caught."
The most action came in the Wolf River above Lake Poyan. However, as Barringer noted, "It was kind of crazy up there. It was bumper to bumper boats with literally hundreds of non-tournament fishermen also fishing that area."
Although a jig tipped with a shiner worked best in 13-20 feet of water, the color of the jig didn t seem to matter. "Our teams simply could not find a consistent pattern. It was one here and one there," said Barringer.
"Still, I m happy with the way the tournament went. I really want to thank the Walleyes for Tomorrow volunteers who helped at the weigh-in."
Barringer noted that the Wisconsin teams now take almost a month off.
"Our next qualifier on the Wisconsin circuit will be at Lake Dubay on Sunday, May 11. I'm looking forward to a good turnout for this second qualifier, and it looks as if the field will be quite a bit bigger. It will be another great opportunity for anglers to experience what we have to offer with the Grand National Walleye Cup."
Interested anglers can call 1-800-890-3474, email the GNWC at [email protected] or check out the official GNWC website at walleyecup.com for all of the latest in GNWC information.
One last bit of news on the GNWC circuit is the addition of The Sportsman Channel as a major sponsoring partner. "The Sportsman Channel will air all of our state championships. It is a new and upcoming channel that I think outdoor enthusiasts will really like. From the research I have done, I think they will offer a top quality product. For those who do not get the Sportsman Channel, call your local cable company or satellite television provider."
Major sponsoring partners for the GNWC include Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards, Berkley, Abu-Garcia, The Sportsman Channel and UpNorthOutdoors.com. |
