Returning to the revered reef
Hatley, Wis., pro Tom Keenan looks to secure Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour AOY award
GREEN BAY, Wis. – It has offered two days of unbelievable angling, and many expect the Geano Reef to produce sizeable limits yet again. Over a thousand walleyes have been taken out of this productive area, yet most still believe it’s their best bet for big fish.
Pro Rick LaCourse made a huge comeback on day two with a five-walleye limit weighing 30 pounds even. On day one, LaCourse only caught two fish weighing 12-2, yet both days he trolled the reef with the same presentation. So what was the difference?
“You’ve just got to have your bait at the right spot at the right time,” said the Lake Erie legend.
While LaCourse still plans to fish the reef exclusively, other local anglers are starting to move away from the crowd. The most notable among them is fourth-place pro Wayne Butz. The local Oneida, Wis., angler has found a shallow-water area away from the congestion. He caught a 26-pound limit yesterday by vertically jigging in 7 to 10 feet of water.
Another local who plans to fish elsewhere is pro Scott Allen. Last year, Allen held the lead on day one with an enormous limit weighing 39 pounds, 14 ounces. This time around, Allen is 58th with a two-day total of 34 pounds, 12 ounces.
Allen plans to start day three at an area located about two miles from the launch. The water there is only 2 to 3 feet deep, but Allen said it’s a common misconception that all the walleyes are out deep in midsummer. His goal is to get some quality fish early, and then go look for a pig.
“We are going to go out there at some point to try and get a big one or two,” said Allen, referring to the legendary Geano Reef.
AOY update
Tom Keenan continues to look like the man to beat in the 2006 FLW Walleye Tour Angler of the Year race. After a solid day one, Keenan improved on day two with a limit weighing 28 pounds, 6 ounces. Coming into the event, the Hatley, Wis., pro was third with 405 points. But he now unofficially leads the competition by way of his 11th-place standing. Dennis Lantzy came to Green Bay with 417 points, but he currently sits 54th with a two-day total of 35 pounds, 11 ounces.
In second was Jason Przekurat with 408 points, but he has dropped back to 71st with 33 pounds even. More unofficial math shows that Keenan currently has a 31-point lead. But with at least one day left, any of these three sticks could pop a 40-pound bag.
The day-three weigh-in begins Friday at 3 p.m. Central time, when the field returns to Metro Park Boat Launch located on Bay Beach Road in Green Bay. Today’s weigh-in marks the last chance for many anglers to qualify for the 2006 FLW Walleye Tour Championship.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:21 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 71 degrees
Expected high temperature: 84 degrees
Water temperature: 64-76 degrees
Wind: WSW at 6 mph
Maximum humidity: 71 percent
Day’s outlook: scattered thunderstorms