Final battle under way at Red Wing
Six pro walleye anglers take shot at RCL Championship title
Six anglers will be competing today for the top title in all of competitive walleye fishing: the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Championship. Not only does the title carry prestige, it also brings with it a chance to take home a check for $400,000 – by far the largest prize awarded in professional walleye fishing.
Worsening water conditions and fewer bites were making most of the final field feel the pressure this morning.
“I am very nervous going into this final round,” said Crestliner pro Rick Franklin of Louisburg, Kan. “I have only been weighing in four walleyes per day, so far. I have done good enough to get me here, but now I am feeling the pressure, especially with all of that money on the line. With the water getting in worse shape, I don’t know what will happen.”
Ranger pro Richard Nascak of Winona, Minn., said he plans on sticking to what he has been doing to make it to the final round.
“I don’t think I will be changing anything in my approach,” said Nascak. “I will keep doing what I have been doing. I will make adjustments as I need to today. I am fishing for $400,000 today; that is a big payday.”
Nerves won’t deter Lund pro Mike Gofron of Antioch, Ill., from fishing hard today.
“I have been in several championships before, so I have experienced the pressure,” said Gofron. “I am kind of nervous, though, about the bites I will get. Yesterday I popped a 3-pounder right away and thought the fishing would be as easy as it was the day before. I was wrong. I just hope I have a better bite today.”
Each fish is worth $60,000 to Gofron.
“A couple of years ago at another championship I didn’t qualify for but Mark Brumbaugh did, I called him and told him each fish he caught was worth $10,000,” said Gofron. “He called me and told me that if I catch a limit today, each fish would be worth $60,000. That is a lot of money.”
Crestliner pro Bruce “Doc” Samson of Minnetrista, Minn., said he has had the RCL Championship on his mind all year.
“I am fishing for $300,000 today,” said Samson. “I have been thinking about fishing here and for this championship all year.”
Look for most of the anglers to be fishing in Pool 3 today. The primary fishing approach will be fishing with three-way rigs and live bait. Vertical jigging and pulling crankbaits will also play a roll in the anglers’ arsenals.
The final weigh-in will be held at Wal-Mart located at 225
33rd St. W. in Hastings, Minn., at 3:30 p.m. Bring your whole family and check out the Family Fun Zone.
Today’s statistics
Sunrise: 7:17 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 38 degrees
Expected high temperature: 55 degrees
Water temperature: mid-60s
Water clarity: muddy
Wind: calm
Relative humidity: 100 percent
Day’s outlook: partly cloudy with light and variable winds
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