Local rookie Allen leads after busy day on Green Bay
Warmer, stable weather leads to unbelievable opening day in FLW Walleye Tour event
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Demonstrating the strength of the bite in the third event of the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour’s regular season, 30 boats caught 25 pounds or more Wednesday, despite tournament rules prohibiting culling. Overall, a total of 454 walleyes weighing 2,193 pounds, 14 ounces were caught on day one of the tournament.
When the dust settled after a fast and furious weigh-in, Green Bay’s Scott Allen took the day-one lead by bringing 39 pounds, 14 ounces to the scale.
Despite never having fished an FLW Walleye Tour event, Allen felt right at home competing in his backyard. “This is my first FLW event, so it feels good to be on top right from the get-go,” said Allen.
Allen appears to have located a hungry school of postspawn walleyes.
“Our midlake pattern worked for us in prefishing, and it worked for us again today,” he said. “We fished a sand flat in 6 to 10 feet of water. Right now the walleyes are recovering from the spawn and are looking for baitfish in warmer water.”
Like the majority of the field, Allen trolled crawler harnesses and spinners to entice his fish. “Speed was a crucial component for us today,” Allen said. “We’re headed back to the same spot tomorrow, but we’ve a got a second spot in place just in case. The weather pattern looks consistent, so there will be big weights.”
Mans sits 2 ounces behind in second
In second place was Peshtigo, Wis., pro Joseph Mans. Mans caught five walleyes that weighed 39 pounds, 12 ounces and trails Allen by only a 2-ounce margin. Despite his early success, Mans looked exhausted and unsure about his next move. “It was a long day; it took all day to get these fish,” he said.
Mans described the area he was targeting: “I’m fishing a real tight contour in deep water. I’d describe it as a spot on a spot.”
Mans was aware that while the weather is expected to remain relatively stable, higher winds and rain are in the forecast tomorrow. “With this wind, I’m afraid it’s going to blow them off and kill my bite. I’m going to start there tomorrow and move to my second spot, which is very promising, if I have to.”
Stolcers third
In third place was Round Lake Beach, Ill., native Victor Stolcers, who caught five walleyes that weighed in at 35 pounds, 6 ounces.
Darsow fourth
Greg Darsow of Billings, Mont., brought in five walleyes that weighed 35 pounds, 2 ounces, which were good for fourth place.
Grothe and Neu tie for fifth
Northfield, Minn., resident Ross Grothe and Forestville, Wis., native Pat Neu engaged in a border battle and wound up tied for fifth place with five walleyes apiece that weighed 35 pounds, 1 ounce.
Rest of the best
Rounding out the top 10 pros on day one at Green Bay:
7th: Keith Daniels of Fon Du Lac, Wis., five walleyes, 34-8
8th: Carl Grunwaldt of Green Bay, Wis., five walleyes, 33-7
9th: Glenn Chenier of Gladstone, Mich., five walleyes, 33-2
10th: Richard Lacourse of Port Clinton, Ohio, five walleyes, 30-6
Ohler owns co-angler lead
On the co-angler side, Douglas Ohler caught 39 pounds, 14 ounces on day one and said the execution in his boat couldn’t have been any better.
“It was a real good day for us,” the Mineral Point, Pa., native said. “We went through 12 fish today and had five good ones in the box by 1 p.m. Scott made up his mind that he wasn’t going to keep anything under 23 inches. The fishing was so good, we were in at 2 p.m.”
On his prospects for tomorrow, Ohler said, “I’ve got a good partner tomorrow, so I’ve got as good of a chance as anybody.”
Second place on the co-angler side went to local angler Eric Balstad. The Green Bay, Wis., native caught five walleyes weighing 39 pounds, 12 ounces.
Balstad said the action in his boat was best in the morning and that his partner, Mans, was a pleasure to fish with. “I think my chances are pretty good right now; I hope the bite stays hot,” he added.
Randy Peterson of Omro, Wis., placed third for the co-anglers with five walleyes weighing 35 pounds, 6 ounces.
Jamestown, Ohio, resident Tony Thornton took fourth with five walleyes that weighed 35 pounds, 2 ounces.
Mark Cottingham of Green Bay, Wis., and Mike Zawistowski of Wonder Lake, Ill., tied for the fifth spot with five walleyes apiece that weighed 35 pounds, 1 ounce.
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers on day one at Green Bay:
7th: Richard Konrad of Brillion, Wis., five walleyes, 34-8
8th: Shawn Kaiser of Two Rivers, Wis., five walleyes, 33-7
9th: Andy Gorter of Marne, Mich., five walleyes, 33-2
10th: Scott Tipton of Box Elder, S.D., five walleyes, 30-6
Day two 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 Thursday for the second day of the opening round.