Schuette shoots up leaderboard, claims day-two lead on Green Bay

Weather notwithstanding, FLW Walleye Tour anglers continue to register staggering weights

GREEN BAY, Wis. – In the face of wretched conditions that included nearly five hours of unyielding rain, the bite unexpectedly improved from day one as 506 walleyes weighing 2,290 pounds, 12 ounces were caught on the second day of Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour competition on Green Bay. Day two may not have been a pleasant experience for the anglers, but those who stuck with it were generously rewarded.

The leaderboard remained tight for the second consecutive day as Pat Schuette of Manitowoc, Wis., leaped from 12th place to emerge as the day-two leader. Schuette’s five-walleye limit of 36 pounds, 6 ounces gave him a two-day total of 66 pounds, 3 ounces.

Schuette’s day went precisely as planned.

“We caught about 10 fish and were done at about 12:30 p.m.,” he said. “We were using spinners and crawlers just like everybody else. We’re fishing over a big flat that the females sit on after the spawn. The baitfish come there because of the warmer water, and the walleyes follow them in.”

Schuette likes his position but realizes the competition is just beginning to heat up.

“I’m going to fish the same spot the next two days,” said Schuette. “It will all depend if I get the big bites. I changed colors with the overcast conditions, and that might have made a difference. I think if I pull 30 pounds a day, I’ll be knocking on the door.”

Neu moves up to second

Pat Neu demonstrated remarkable consistency on day two and brought 30 pounds, 6 ounces to the scale, which moved him up to second place on the pro side. Neu’s two-day total of 65 pounds, 7 ounces places him only 12 ounces behind Schuette.

The Forestville, Wis., resident said the bite is shallow right now, but that could change if the wind dies down tomorrow. Neu is confident he has enough spots to stay within striking distance.

“We’re making a pretty decent run, but you’ve got to go to where you have the best chances,” he said. “In a no-cull tournament, you’ve got to search for the big fish.”

Neu feels he will benefit from the new combined-weight formula being used on the tour.

“The new format we use now will reward consistency,” said Neu. “I’m not overly confident, but what I’m doing is working. I think my success has more to do with paying attention to details than anything else. I’m going to have to weigh 35 pounds tomorrow and between 30 and 35 pounds on Saturday, if I get that far.”

Allen slips to third

Day-one leader Scott Allen struggled a bit and fell two places to third. The Green Bay, Wis., native still managed five walleyes weighing 24 pounds, 12 ounces, which gave him a combined weight of 64 pounds, 10 ounces after two days of competition.

Chenier fourth

Rising to fourth place was Gladstone, Mich., resident Glenn Chenier. After bringing in 33 pounds, 2 ounces on day one, Chenier was able to catch five walleyes that weighed 28 pounds, 1 ounce on day two, giving him a combined weight of 61 pounds, 3 ounces.

Chenier said the price they paid today to get to their spot was well worth it.

“We went quite a ways today, and we got soaking wet,” he said. “We’re running the crawler-harness program in mostly shallow water.”

Describing his strategy for the final two days Chenier said, “For me, I’m going for broke. This is the only FLW Walleye Tour event I’m fishing this year and I’m here for the money. I think if I can pull 38 pounds tomorrow I’ll be right there.”

Powers fifth

In fifth place was Gordy Powers of Rockford, Minn., who brought in the heaviest sack of the first two days that weighed 40 pounds, 12 ounces. Powers’ five giant walleyes on Thursday gave him a two-day total of 61 pounds, 2 ounces.

Rest of the best

Rounding out the top 10 pros on day two at Green Bay:

6th: Carl Grunwaldt of Green Bay, Wis., 60-9

7th: Wayne Butz of Oneida, Wis., 60-5

8th: Eric Olson of Red Wing, Minn., 56-1

9th: Paul Wright of Westpoint, Ind., 55-12

10th: Tom Zollar of Green Bay, Wis., 54-4

Co-angler leaderboard flip-flops, leaves Cottingham in first

On the co-angler side, Green Bay’s Mark Cottingham is finding success participating in the first competitive fishing tournament of his life. It seems Cottingham has found both the beginner’s luck and the walleyes. On day two, he caught 32 pounds, 2 ounces, bringing his two-day total to 67 pounds, 3 ounces.

Cottingham remained levelheaded despite his early achievements.

“Let’s face it, I’ve been blessed with great pros, which is what this is all about,” he said. “This is my first tournament ever, and I just came here to learn more about my body of water.”

Of his successful pattern today, Cottingham said, “We were trolling crawler harnesses in shallow water. I’m absolutely looking forward to better weather tomorrow.”

Coming in second for the co-anglers was Scott Tipton of Box Elder, S.D. Tipton partnered with Tom Zollar on day two and caught five walleyes that weighed 28 pounds, 15 ounces to push his two-day total to 59 pounds, 5 ounces.

“We caught a lot of fish today, probably 20 or more,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll make the top 10; that’s what I am shooting for.”

Co-angler Richard Konrad of Brillion, Wis., caught five walleyes that weighed 24 pounds, 5 ounces and rose to third place with a two-day combined weight of 58 pounds, 13 ounces.

“My partner came through, and we had a heck of a day,” said Konrad. “We caught about 15 fish today and came in about an hour early. It’s going to be a shootout tomorrow.”

Chuck Jones of Michigan City, Ind., claimed the fourth spot for the co-anglers with a two-day combined weight of 54 pounds even.

Fifth place went to Mike Lewis of Seymour, Wis., for 53 pounds, 13 ounces.

Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers on day two at Green Bay:

6th: Sandra Don of St. Paul, Minn., 53-10

7th: David Woyak of Hartland, Wis., 53-7

8th: Steven Maksymyk of Komarno, Manitoba, 53-1

9th: Bill Nutter of Merrill, Wis., 50-8

10th: Randy Peterson of Omro, Wis., 49-13

Day three of FLW Walleye Tour competition on Green Bay begins as the field of 133 boats takes off from Metro Park Boat Launch at 7 a.m. Central time Friday for the final day of the opening round.