Make room for McCartin
Land O Lakes, Wis., native moves up 10 spots to claim day-two lead on Devils Lake
SPIRIT LAKE, N.D. – Day two on Devils Lake saw the leaderboard flip-flop as the wind died and the sun beat down on FLW Walleye Tour anglers. Many of the day-one contenders struggled to scratch out a limit as a new group of leaders emerged. As several anglers predicted, the bite slowed slightly as 1732 pounds were caught on the second day of competition.
Joe McCartin improved on his solid day-one performance and caught five walleyes on day two that weighed 28 pounds, 15 ounces giving him a two-day total of 50 pounds, 13 ounces.
“It was a great day of fishing,” said McCartin. “This feels great but it’s been a long time coming. I had thoughts about retiring after the Green Bay event.”
McCartin said that he and his partner Fred Gordon fished a new spot today, which made all the difference in the world. The two had seven bites and landed five fish, two of which came early in the day. They credited their success to the changing wind which forced the fish to move to deeper water.
“I was the only boat there, so I hope I’ve got enough left,” he said. “I was marking a lot fish there during prefishing. I’m going to live and die on this spot.”
McQuoid climbs to second
For whatever reason, the McQuoid brothers simply have Devils Lake figured out. Aaron McQuoid caught a consistent five-walleye limit on day two that weighed 23 pounds, 1 ounce. The Isle, Minn., native moved up to five places and has a two-day total of 47 pounds, 10 ounces.
“I went back to where I missed a lot of fish yesterday,” McQuoid said. “We did well there and were done fishing by 11:30 a.m.”
McQuoid says the presentation he is employing in the trees gives him the opportunity for bigger fish. He welcomes the prospect of a windy day tomorrow.
“If these guys aren’t prepared for it, there will be a big shakedown tomorrow,” he said. “I’m hoping for 30 mph winds.”
“We’re going to the same spots again tomorrow,” said McQuoid. “I’ve been very fortunate; the fish I’m catching are very big. With as much pressure as we’re getting, I’m starting to get a little worried.”
Grunwaldt third
Pro Carl Grundwaldt of Green Bay, Wis., also improved his catch on day two and moved up six places to third. Grundwaldt managed five walleyes weighing 22 pounds, 14 ounces which gave him a combined weight of 45 pounds, 15 ounces after two days of competition.
Goligowski fourth
Rising to fourth place was Maplewood, Minn., resident Kevin Goligowski. After bringing in 20 pounds, 8 ounces on day one, Goligowski was able to catch five walleyes that weighed 25 pounds, 3 ounces on day two, giving him a combined weight of 45 pounds, 11 ounces.
Despite the heavier limit, Goligowski said the bite was a little slower than yesterday.
“We put back about eight fish and were done at 12:30 p.m.,” he said. “I’m out there all by myself so I’m hoping I still have some fish left.”
Goligowski said he was working some new weed growth that the walleyes are relating to.
“I think I’ll need 20 pounds tomorrow, but I’m hoping to make up some ground on Joe.”
Courts fifth
Mark Courts remained in the fifth spot for the second consecutive day. Courts’ 17-pound, 15-ounce limit gave him a two-day total of 45 pounds, 1 ounce.
Rest of the best
Rounding out the top 10 pros on day two at Devils Lake:
6th: Rick Olson of Mina, S.D., 44-11
7th: Todd Riley of Amery, Wis., 43-15
8th: Don Denning of Fargo, N.D., 43-14
9th: Dustin Kjelden of Brookings, S.D., 43-14
10th: John Kolinski of Greenville, Wis., 40-14
Drake leads co-angler division
Co-angler Brian Drake had another successful day on Devils Lake catching five walleyes that weighed 26 pounds, 7 ounces. Drake partnered with Kenneth Bjorkman on day-two and the pair landed walleyes hand over foot.
“We caught at least 25 fish today,” said Drake. “I’m here to have a good time and learn from the pros. I figure if I win some money it will be a bonus.”
Drake and Bjorkman caught their fish using leeches deep into the trees.
“I guess we found the right trees,” quipped Drake. “I’d rather be no.1 on day four. It doesn’t mean anything yet. It means I’m having fun.”
Coming in second for the co-anglers was Mark Magness of Fargo, N.D. Magness partnered with Dave Spaid on day two and caught five walleyes that weighed 25 pounds, 14 ounces to push his two-day total to 51 pounds, 1 ounce.
Co-angler Fred Gordon of Willmar, Minn., caught five walleyes that weighed 28 pounds, 15 ounces and rose to third place with a two-day combined weight of 48 pounds, 6 ounces.
Heath Fremstad of Mondovi, Wis., claimed the fourth spot for the co-anglers with a two-day combined weight of 43 pounds, 13 ounces.
“We caught a lot of fish today and went through a pound of leeches,” said Fremstad. “Hopefully if I can get five tomorrow I can make the top 10.”
Fifth place went to Daryl Zimney of Jamestown, N.D., for 42 pounds, 7 ounces.
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers on day two at Devils Lake:
6th: David Tufte of Audubon, Minn., 42-5
7th: Jason Treptau of Becker, Minn., 40-14
8th: Jonathan Beise of Red Wing, Minn., 40-13
9th: Steven Maksymyk of Komarno, Manitoba, 40-4
10th: Lee Augustin of Crystal, N.D., 39-2
Day three of FLW Walleye Tour competition on Devils Lake begins as the field of 147 boats takes off from Spirit Lake Casino & Resort at 7 a.m. CT Friday for the final day of the opening round.