|
|
Member
Posts: 499
Location: Appleton | Congratulations and THANKS to all 113 teams that fished the MWS Okuma Winnebago tournament.
It was a beautiful sunny day with light winds. The winning team’s success casting jigs on the rocks.
The team of Gregg Golliher and Joe Robl took first place with five fish weighing 16.70# winning them $4,400. Second place went to the team of Scott Zwiers and Jason Zwiers with five fish totaling 15.92 # for $2100. They also had the big fish with a 5.94# walleye winning them $650 in the Big Fish Pot. They also received two plaques donated by All Sport and Trophy, an assortment of Ka Boom lures, and two gift certificates for Anglers Pride Specialties. Third place went to the team of Jon Genal and Bob Wegner with five fish weighing 12.16# for $1000. Fourth place went to the team of Gordon Rabetski and Mike Rabetski with five fish totaling 10.84# for $950. Fifth place went to the team of Jason Wiesner and Don Wiesner with five fish weighing 10.66# for $800.
A total of 204 fish were caught weighing 384.86#.
Current Team of the year leaders are Rob Krause and Dave Dretzke. Current husband/wife Team of the year leaders are Joe and Kim Boehnlein. Current parent/child Team of the year leaders are Bill Bobber and Matt Bobber. Current Sibling Team of the Year leader are Gordy Rabetski and Mike Rabetski
.
Complete standings can be found on our web page www.fishtfm.com
Major sponsors of the Series are Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats, MotorGuide and Okuma Rods and Reels.
Supporting sponsors include Anglers Pride Specialties, Action Disc, All Sport and Trophy, KaBoom Lures, StowMaster Nets, Bait Rigs, Smooth Moves seats, Troll Master, LakeMaster. and Midwest Outdoors
The next tournament will be Sept 10 in Menominee, MI. If you would like more information e-mail us at [email protected] or call 920-731-3474
|
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 344
Location: Manitowoc WI | Go greg gollher, I can remember the conversation we had at the begining of the season about him being the best on bago.. he definatly proved it this year! |
|
| |
|
| it was a toughbite for most i guess it helps when thats your home water....interesting side note mojority of the top teams this was there first tourny and signed up the day of |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 499
Location: Appleton | Your information is incorrect. There were only two teams that did not fish any of the other MWS tournaments this year that signed up the last day and finished in the money. There were several teams have not fished a MWS tournament this year but were signed up at least a week in advance that finished in the money including the winners. |
|
| |
|
| Not sure what your point is but let the facts speak for themselves.
This was the first tournament of the season with MWS for 7 out of the top 10 teams.
A tournament circuit called midwest walleye series will visit only 2 bodies of water in 06.
The locals are making money off the regulars at every stop. Check the standings for each tournament this year and you will see what I mean.
This tournament had around 115 boats in it so it is good business sense for MWS to visit here BUT those of us who travel to fish this tournament series will not participate next year. We'll let the locals have their fun BUT not our money. |
|
| |
|
| I would consider myself a local and live within a 20 minute drive of the system and I signed up a week a head of time. I have fished all 3 MWS tournaments this year and I did not fair so well on Sunday. We should make the championship unless we totally blow the last tournament and anything is possible. I am not complaining, we just simply did not make the right decisions on Sunday. You know the chances when you sign up of cashing a check or not. I like the MWS schedule this year and the locations, not everybody can afford to travel long distances every weekend. I think TFM does a great job of running the tournaments and choosing locations to get the boat numbers up. Sometimes I think that people need to remember that this friendly competition and to just go out and fish and have fun. As far as Joe and Greg go, they are simply great jig fisherman and know lake winnebago well. We seen them on Sunday idling back to the launch with 1.5 hrs to go and I told my partner there goes Greg and Joe and I bet they have huge bag of fish to be done already. To:" Weekend Warrior" I wish you the best and good luck in the last tournament of the year and I hope you reconsider and come back next year.
Grouse |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 3899
| The late sign ups happen in any tournament. The last few years, Jim has asked for suggestions on different lakes to fish. Did you suggest a different lake or river?
Now for the big question. IF those teams that signed up in the last week or so had not done so, would you have finished in the money? Without being too specific, as I know you wish to remain anon, did you finish btween 20th and 26th? Cuz if you finished worse than that, you would have been out of the money anyway.
With the MWS, Jim Coon has a very competitive circuit. It's very well run, and Jim and his staff work hard to make it so. Yep, maybe it should visit some new waters, but the schedule was what the schedule was this year. No matter where they hold the events, there are going to be locals that will pay the extra bucks to enter late, if they are on fish. Do I like it? Not really, and yearly make the suggestion to up the late entry fee. I did not fish the series this year do to lack of boat, but intend to fish the series next year. Locals, or not. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 2445
Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | I like the comment from guest, "Some guys just need to remember that it is friendly competition and to just go out and fish and have fun" Hahahahahahahah did you see what first place was? Also, not bashing anyone, but what other bodies of water has the 2 winning anglers fished, in any tournament circuit or one day'ers this season? They are great winnebago fisherman, no doubt. But like it was said, Makes it tough on guys who are not out there every day. |
|
| |
|
Location: Rhinelander | The MWS is a well run, well thought out Walleye Tournament Series. I hear good things about the tournament organization and site selection, PR and publicity, payouts and overall positive experience for the competitors.
I fail to see any problem with the field at Winnebago. I also don't see any problem with 'locals' fishing a regional series; after all, 'locals' will undoubtedly fill a considerable portion of the ranks in ANY regional series. This isn't unique to the MWS, either. MWC, PWT Regionals, and FLW all are pleased to fill out a roster with both local and traveling anglers. In my opinion, the more regionally focused events should ENCOURAGE 'local' teams to sign up no matter if it's a month, year, or hour in advance; that's what brings more competitive anglers into the field of play for ALL walleye tournaments and drives up the payout. If there were only 50 traveling teams in the last MWS, THAT would be the complaint.
I recognize some of the names of the top ten teams; those are some pretty good sticks and would be anywhere, in my opinion. Most of 'Those who travel' to the MWS live for the most part within a few hours of any waters that might be fished, and beating the 'locals' is and always HAS been part of the game.
Look at the Regional PWT last week. The top ten looked like a partial list of PWT Wisconsin Pros. Yet a very talented Pro from Waukesha, another from Osh Kosh, one from Glidden, one from Oconomowoc, and anglers well known for the Bays De Noc and cashing top ten checks like Hanisko and Chenier were beaten by Pros from Illinois, Central Michigan, South Dakota, etc.
To put this in summary, the MWS is not unique in the field composition. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 921
Location: Manitowoc, WI | I don't know about most of the others , but I for one had a great time Sunday. We did not catch a legal fish and we were pretty much bummed about that. We just couldn't find the right spots. We only get to pre-fish 1 day. We don't have the opportunity to be out there every day either. We still had fun and I for one enjoy the competition. If you don't think you stand a chance against locals, then don't fish the tournaments. Meeting new people and having fun is what it's all about. This to me is payout enough. Cashing a check is a bonus. Congrats to everyone who placed in the money. It was a pleasure meeting everyone I did not know prior to this event. Looking forward to Menominee. Good Luck everyone and lighten up and have fun. Just my opinion. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 859
Location: Appleton wi | We had a good time too on sunday. Caught about 30 walleyes and weighed 3 fish and threw our 4th one back due shrinkage prior to weigh in .We missed one dandy and missed a paycheck by 1.15lbs. I do believe though if we would have signed up at the last minute and been in a tuffy we would have Won it !LOL  I would also like to see a late fee for anyone who signs up within a week prior to the tourny . JMHO |
|
| |
|
| Weekend Warrior: There are always going to be locals fishing also remember the teams that fish more than one tournament have a chance to fish the FREE Championship and attend the banquet. The locals help pay for the championship with a portion of thier entry fee. Remember this is a fun series as someone else stated. If you choose not to fish it will be your loss in my opinion but it is your choice. I also know that some of the teams that only fished one tournament last year are fishing all four this year. That is helping the series grow. Each tournament was over 100 teams this year. Not bad for a one day series. Jim and Ray are always open the suggestions.
As far as the late fee there is a $50 fee if teams enter the last week. Jim makes no exceptions on this rule even for the teams that fish all four tournaments. I know this as I tried for a exception. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 340
Location: McFarland, WI | I have great respect for these great winnebago fisherman. I try to duplicate their jigging methods and I have learned at lot that will apply to other waters that I fish. My problem is with MWS, Otterstreet, Fleet Farm, Merc Nationals, etc it is easy to just get Bago'd out. I've learned a tremendous amount about the lake and I am a better fisherman for it. When fishing time is limited I tend to use it to prefish. I sure missed my normal amount of time fishing the Bay and I would love the challenge of a new water, but that is not the majority position. I view this as my problem not Jim's. Jim does what is best for his series and the rest of us can take it or leave it.
Larry Strelow
McFarland, WI |
|
| |
|
| From an outside perspective from someone who would like to fish this series in future years but has never fished a tournament yet! And yes I primarily fish Winnebago
Does the DNR factor in here by not allowing tournaments on other waters?
What other waters would be decent waters for tournaments? I know there have been tournaments Up North and on other lakes but then all I here about is that their are no walleyes or boat traffic is so bad or cannot troll, etc. lake Minocqua tournament did not get good reviews and Cabela's had a championship tourney on Green Lake and only one team caught a walleye to win the tournament with 1.5 lbs.
It has to be common knowledge that tournaments held on less familiar waters would excite some anglers about a new challenge but the majority would not fish and thus you would have very small fields and afterall this must be a business.
Wisconsin Waters?
Winnebago system
Green Bay
Lake Michigan
Petenwell
Mississippi River
Up North Lakes? Which ones?
Green Lake
What lakes in the south could host a tourney? Koshkonong?
Offer up some other waters rather than just complaining about being tired of locals or tired of Lake Winnebago |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 2567
Location: Manitowoc, WI | Given that the name of the circuit is "Midwest" Walleye Series and not the "Wisconsin" Walleye Series, I can think of alot of places to fish other than the short list I just read from the last post. But it obvious that the defenders of this thread do not want to fish anywhere else other than WI, with an occcasional venture into Menominee, MI. And there is nothing wrong with that. I would ask that those who comment here use another name other than "guest". It would bring a sense of validity to their posts. |
|
| |
|
| Are you sure you want to fish other waters in the Midwest and Wisconsin you'd have to compete against locals you'd find it a waste of time, entry fee and esp gas money but pleas come on over we'd love to put it in our pockets |
|
| |
|
| Are you saying you would want to compete on Mille Lacs with their locals and the likelihood of being bale to pre-fish less. Yes it is the "Midwest" but in reality most fisherman are from Wisconsin. You can hold a tourney in Minnesota and it would simply cost most of the present competitors more money and less pre-fishing time thus they would not go. You would simply have a smaller tournament with the same locals from those lakes and a smaller payout!
There are bigger fishing series for those that want that bigger broader challenge. Try the MWC, FLW, or PWT. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 2567
Location: Manitowoc, WI | Hmmmmmmm.....maybe someday I will. Do you think I can compete against the "big boys"? LOL.....:) |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 3899
| I submit that the name does not necessarily dictate that the events must be scattered throughout the midwest. I also believe that all the locations to date have been in the midwest, so in that regard, it is truly a Midwest Walleye Series.
Sure, I'd like to see some other lakes visited. Maybe take just one of the Bago or the second GB dates each year, and go somewhere new?. Some that are listed previously, some not on the list. For instance, I think the Madison Chain would be a great location, Minoqua has been used, Missippi River(Red Wing or others), how about a lake in the UP, besides Bays de Noc, Lake St. Claire, Cass, Bemidji, Leech, Winnebegoshish, Spirit Lake in Iowa.
All these lakes have some great walleye fishing, at certain times of the year. May take some due diligence on the MWS staff's part to search out these sites, and determine when the optimal time to hold an event would be, and if an event could even be held there. But be ready to see reduced fields, and the reduced payouts that would result at some of these sites.
Jerry, you best stay where you been, boy! You know we don't like it when you stray to far from home! hehehe
|
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 2567
Location: Manitowoc, WI | I'll do just that Shep!!! I've been pretty much in hiding since the major whipping Rangerpat and Carl put on me in Oconto!!!
I do want to add that my viewpoints are not, in any way, a rip on the great job Jim Coon's and his staff do with the MWS. I am just offering an opposing view for others to consider. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 625
Location: LaCrosse, WI | If this circuit came to the Mississippi every year, we would be 99% sure to fish the entire series. Being from the West side of the state (very west) would be a huge disadvantage to us. I like the circuit and how it’s ran, but would like to see the playing field leveled a bit. Bago and Green Bay are great, but the challenge of different waters is what makes tourney fishing fun.
I really liked the schedule that the GNWC had in 2005. If you could run a schedule somewhat like this, I think it would be a great circuit.
Mississippi River (April)
Petenwell (May)
Winnebago (June)
Green Bay (July |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 123
Location: Menasha | The Appleton/Oshkosh/FDL area have seen walleye fishing populatity grow very fast in the past several years because of all the tournaments on Bago. The interest in this area is very high compared to other parts of the state, so it is easier to fill a tournament. I would rather have 2 tounements on Bago and the Bay and have 100 boats in each than a tounament on an up north lake and have 60 boats. Jim asked all the teams in the championship last year to make suggestions on other lakes.
Didnt a local guide win the Minnaqua tounament a couple of years ago?? |
|
| |
|
| i dont mind the two green bay ones since the next one is north. and yes i would have been in the money with out the last minute entries.... the last two bago ones have been a bad bite too why not bago in may or june we had such along time off i would like some better spacing |
|
| |
|
| Winnebago also has a lot of options. Could hold an April tourney with only the river open for boundries. Also would have forced many to adapt and made it interesting if this past tournament was limited to only the upper lakes. Boundries can be manipulated so fisherman have to learn different areas and techniques |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 2300
Location: Berlin | The truth is that majority of fishermen in the midwest live close or just want to fish the Winnebago System. Name one other location that fills as many tournaments as Winnebago does. If Jim went to other locations, he would lose the majority to accomodate the minority. That is not good buisness. If you don't like the schedule or just can't keep up with the locals, don't fish it. It is not like there is a shortage of circuits to fish. Some of these posts by the anon's are rediculous. I am sorry you did not cash a check, I am sorry the locals beat the snot out of you and I am sorry you are not good enough on this system to compete but that is your problem not Jim's. As far as a late fee, there is one (or used to be) because we had to pay it when we won the Winnebago event last year. The fact people are outraged by the "Midwest" is also amusing. Did you not look at the schedule before signing up? Did you just assume since it said "Midwest" that the sites were all over the midwest? Funny how this all comes out AFTER these people sucked it up at the last event. If you can't handle doing poorly in a tournament, give it up. Even the great's like Ruffalo have their bad days  Take it or leave it, this is my opinion.
Shep, love the DD reference. Looks like we have another hobby in common.
Edited by Rich S 8/29/2006 6:19 PM
|
|
| |
