Ranger/Evinrude pro, Pat Byle, from Colgate, WI takes top honors experiencing three days filled with anxiety, happiness, and a boat load of walleyes. After seven top ten career finishes, Byle sealed the win shouting YES! YES! YES! in a dramatic display of emotion and confidence. Byle said, I'm so glad my win was on Lake Erie. It silenced the demons, which have kept me up at night. This win does incredible things for my confidence level and drive for competitive angling. Weighing 92lbs. 9oz., Byle takes home $82,667.00 and has a great start to the FLW Walleye Tour.
No stranger to the top ranks, and giving the winner a run for his money was Lund/Mercury pro Ted Takasaki, from East Gull Lake, MN. Takasaki wowed the crowd with the heaviest final day basket of 30lb. 12oz. Fishing was tough and persistence paid off as he hooked his fifth walleye with 15 minutes left in the final day. Earning $16,533.00, Takasaki had a three day total of 91lbs. 4oz. Slow speed was the key at 1.1-1.4mph. Takasaki said, trolling crankbaits and maneuvering his boat in S-patterns to vary the speed of his crankbaits.
Despite challenging pre-fishing conditions due to high winds, and canceling the first day of the event, FLW anglers produced impressive numbers of big walleyes from the Walleye Capitol, Lake Erie, during the April 16-18th event. Presentations included long-line trolling crankbaits and trolling spinner harnesses at depths from 5-30ft. This is a testament to the outstanding fishery and the talent of FLW anglers.
NPAA Members in the top 10 were Pro Anglers:
1st Pat Byle #114, Colgate, WI
2nd Ted Takasaki # East Gull Lake, MN
3rd Rick Franklin # Park Rapids, MN
6th Perry Good #16, Brainerd, MN
7th John Gillman #871, Freeland, MI
9th Ross Grothe #64, Northfield, MN
10th Rick McLaughlin #18, Glenrock, WY
The NPAA is an organization dedicated to improving and bringing professionalism to the sport of walleye fishing. Membership is open to all anglers wishing to become affiliated and learn more about tactics, sponsorships, the industry, youth events, and to help grow fishing participation. NPAA supporting partners who share the same goals include Northland Fishing Tackle, Navionics, Mercury Marine, Evinrude Outboards, Lund Boats, Ranger Boats, Off-Shore Tackle, Fin-Tech Tackle, Berkley, Walleye's Inc., Greater Insurance Services, Masters Walleye Circuit and FLW Outdoors.
To learn more about the NPAA and its members go to www.npaa.net |
