Pundits’ Picks Walleye: Bays de Noc

Pros continue domination, Olson takes No. 1 seed heading into playoffs

Round 3 of the walleye version of Pundits’ Picks looked a lot like Round 1. All three of the esteemed staff pundits suffered defeat to their walleye witty counterparts in the Pro Division. To date, the cumulative record for the Staff Division sits at 1-8 while the cumulative Pro Division record is 8-1.

The high score for the Devils Lake tournament went to pundit extraordinaire/pro Eric Olson with 589 points. He picked the pro winner correctly and had one more angler in the top 10. More importantly, none of his five picks were duds, the key to success in Pundits Picks. Pete Harsh finished second with 570 points. Harsh took a gamble and chose himself, a dicey proposition in the punditry world. It turned out to be a brilliant strategic move, both for his for wallet ($85,000 as the pro winner) and for his pundit record. Still, Olson overtook Harsh for the overall pundit lead with 1754 total points, while Harsh has 1739.

So as we head into the playoff round Olson will be the No. 1-ranked pro pundit. Likewise Harsh will be ranked No. 2 for the pros and LaCourse will bring up the rear despite his 2-1 record. The No. 1-ranked staff pundit is myself with a dreary 1-2 record and 1582 points. Dorn is the second-ranked staffer and Reynolds is No. 3. But this is the playoffs, and when pundit titles are on the line, anything can happen. I’m actually starting to wonder if Dorn and Reynolds are purposely sandbagging it in the regular season only to show their true pundit skills come playoff time.

At Bays de Noc, Olson will go against Reynolds as the No. 1-ranked pro is paired against the No. 3-ranked staffer. I go against LaCourse as the No. 1-ranked staffer versus the No. 3-ranked pro. Likewise, Harsh and Dorn, both ranked No. 2 in their respective divisions, go head to head. The winners of these match-ups will advance to the final round at Cleveland, where the pundit with the highest point total takes the coveted title.

Last thing, the disclaimer: The picks in this column in no way represent any sort of favoritism on the part of FLW Outdoors staff or its pro anglers. These are merely guesses – only arguably educated – as to who we think might do well at any given tournament. With that in mind, here are the picks.

– Brett Carlson

Tournament site

The final qualifying event on the 2007 Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour schedule takes us north and east to the open-water trolling country of Lake Michigan’s Bays de Noc. These two bays are chock full with walleyes, but a strict slot limit will keep weights down across the board. Anglers may keep any number of walleyes over 15 inches up to the five-fish limit, but only one over 23 inches. As pros and co-anglers work together as a team, each boat can have two walleyes over 23 inches. Simply put, the 21- and 22-inch fish will be at a premium come tournament time. Upgrading is allowed so decisions won’t be difficult; it’s just a matter of getting the right bites. What to expect beyond that is anyone’s guess. The Walleye Tour has never visited the plentiful waters near Escanaba, Mich., instead typically opting for Green Bay just a few hours to the south. The Walleye League did visit Bays de Noc last year for its year-end championship. In that tournament, Gladstone, Mich., pro Glenn Chenier caught 15 walleyes over three days that weighed 62 pounds, 2 ounces. All those fish were caught trolling spinners with night crawlers. But that event was held in September, so important walleye variables are likely to be different in mid-July.

Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour stop No. 4

Bays de Noc, Escanaba, Mich.

July 11-14

Eric Olson FLW Walleye Tour pro Red Wing, Minn. Record: 3-0 Points: 1754	VS.	Sharon Reynolds Tournament administrator FLW Outdoors Record: 0-3 Points: 1380
1) JASON PRZEKURAT.The old saying goes something like “you dance with the girl that brought you to the dance.” I’ve picked Jason in each tourney this year mainly because I know he can just plain catch fish. He knows the water near Escanaba and can adapt quickly to changing conditions, a definite key as weather and wind play big here. Having fished with him on this body of water tells me he’ll be right where he needs to be – fishing on the final day. Plus, he’s gunning for his second Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year title. 2) GLENN CHENIER.Glenn brings serious game when he plays on his home water. Having a solid understanding of the slot limit will be the difference. Harnesses will be the norm but as conditions change so do the fish. If the weather is in a major state of change, watch for a smile from Glenn. Look for another good Bays de Noc finish from this Yooper. 3) CHRIS GILMAN.Having fished with Chris on the PWT circuit gives me some insight to his solid understanding of tough bites. The Bays may prove to be such an animal as the summer heat changes patterns and makes walleyes do strange things. Look for a good result from Chris with a lot on the line, including the Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year title. 4) TOM KEENAN.Tom is looking for redemption and a spot in Cleveland in October, and that means he’s going to pull out all the stops. But will he go for just enough weight to make the championship or will he fish to win? Either way, he’ll likely be giving the field a lesson when he comes in with big bags each day. 5) PATRICK NEU.Another pro on the bubble to make the dance, Pat is also no stranger to the Bays. His solid understanding of harnesses, blade size, speed and depth will make him a good pick. Needing a good finish to make the championship in Cleveland, pressure may be just what the doctor ordered and the cure for a tough season.		1) GLENN CHENIER.Glenn is a great fisherman who knows the water and how to adjust to any pattern. He won the FLW League Finals last year and has had several top finishes in the MWC. I know Glenn and what he is capable of and I know he will be in that top five for sure. This is one fisherman that I would bet on without any doubt. 2) DAVID KOLB.This is David’s water. He just finished the Michigan Division of the Walleye League as the points winner plus he finished in the top-10 last year at the Walleye League Finals. David is very good on this body of water and knows how to fish and study it. 3) ERIK FURSETH.Erik is doing very well on the Walleye Tour this year and this again is one of his favorite places to fish. He knows this water and will adapt to whatever the conditions call for on that given day. 4) GREGORY YARBROUGH.What can I say about Greg? He is a great fisherman and a super guy and has had several top-10 finishes on this body of water with other tournament organizations. Greg will be in the top five at this event. He knows what he has to do and will adjust the right way. He is doing great this year and is on his way to the championship in Cleveland. 5) JASON PRZEKURAT.This is my first time adding Jason to my picks. Jason is on a roll and I really feel that at this tournament I had to pick him. I wish him the best of luck in the points race. What can I say or add about Jason that has not already been said? He is a great fisherman, a great dad and a great person and I know that he will be near the top of the leaderboard again.

Brett Carlson Editor FLWOutdoors.com Record: 1-2 Points: 1582	VS.	Rick LaCourse FLW Walleye Tour pro Port Clinton, Ohio Record: 2-1 Points: 1630
1) TOM BRUNZ.Big water plus big fish equals a big check for a man known on tour as “Big Fish Brunz.” There will be no 47-pound stringers in this tournament, but I do expect a limit in the 20s from the Madison Lake, Minn., pro. 2) ROBERT B. BLOSSER.Admittedly, I don’t know much about Robert Blosser. I do know that he caught four walleyes last year on Green Bay that weighed 34 pounds, 9 ounces. I know that those fish were caught by trolling spinners, a tactic that will prove popular on Bays de Noc. I also know that his dad can catch some fish too, they’re just the wrong color. Lastly, I know I need a sleeper to send home LaCourse, and Blosser is the guy. 3) GLENN CHENIER.I figure just about everyone will have Chenier on the list, so this is probably a push. But it’s a good push because Chenier is that good, especially on his home waters. To not have him on my list would be like not picking Allar on the Mississippi. 4) TOM KEENAN.Keenan has been jawing all year about this tournament, so he better back it up. I guess he grew up here or something, so that might give him a little bit of an edge. He told me he’s staying at his parents house all week. Nothing like a little home cooking to help you peform at your best. 5) PATRICK NEU.No-open water trolling list is complete without Pat Neu, the four-day cumulative weight record holder. With one good tournament, Neu can turn around a subpar season. Need proof? Just ask Brunz. He was on the bubble with one event left last season. He had a good tournament in Green Bay and then finished third at the championship, cashing a $40,000 check.		1) TOM KEENAN.The Chevy pro, an open-water expert, will be a big threat on the Bays. Tom has shown in the past he can work out these fish even in the toughest conditions and I expect he will do so again. 2) GLENN CHENIER.Glenn is having a good year on tour. At this event, Glenn will be fishing his home waters, which is sure to give him the edge over the rest of the field. Glenn won the FLW League Finals here in 2006 and will be looking for a repeat performance. Along with his old team partner, Lynn Hanisko, Glenn will probably be the toughest competition in the field of 150 anglers. 3) TOM KEMOS.What can I say about Tom? Fresh off a big MWC win down below on Green Bay, the reigning 2006 PWT champion and FLW newcomer is sure to give the competition his best performance once again. Tom is no stranger to top finishes and knows how to close the deal. He’s most versatile fishing tight contours like are found in the Bays de Noc. Look for another top finish to add to his resume. 4) GREGORY YARBROUGH.Greg is another FLW pro that has the big-water experience to shine at this event. Greg’s record on both the upper and lower bays shows he can put the right program together and the right fish in the boat. Look for this Port Clinton, Ohio, resident to put some of his Lake Erie tricks to good use. 5) LYNN HANISKO.Here is my wild card pick of the tournament. Not many have heard of Lynn, but those of us that have fear him. This local angler, and partner of Glenn Chenier, is certain to be on the right fish. Lynn has the knowledge of when and where to fish in different weather conditions that can change quickly in northern Michigan. Look for him to have a great tournament.

Pete Harsh FLW Walleye Tour pro Sauk Centre, Minn. Record: 3-0 Points: 1739	VS.	Mark Dorn Director of Operations FLW Outdoors Record: 0-3 Points: 1481
1) GLENN CHENIER.Fishing his home waters, Chenier has been hungrily waiting all year for this one event. Chenier is the winner of the FLW Walleye League Finals held here last year. Drawing from a well developed information network of local anglers, Chenier should be at or near the top when the slugfest is over. 2) NATE PROVOST.Nate is long overdue for his first Walleye Tour win. Where better to pick up that win than the very familiar waters of Big and Little Bays de Noc? Nate has spent countless hours fishing the Bays. As a young man, Nate has matured into one of the Walleye Tour’s top sticks and has made the cut a number of times. Now he needs to do one better. Look for Provost to be close to the winner’s circle when the smoke clears on day four. Maybe standing in it? 3) TODD RILEY.Why do I always pick Riley? When it comes to walleye tournaments Todd Riley can “GIT-R-DUN” whenever and wherever he competes. Riley hasn’t disappointed me yet this year and except for a mechanical failure he would have finished high in all three of the previous FLW events. Expect Riley to be tough as they come and look for him to drive home with another good finish under his belt. Riley also is overdue for his next FLW win. 4) PATRICK NEU.Last year’s PWT winner on this fishery, look for Pat Neu to continue adding to his tournament winnings. Neu is familiar with this system and is a master at fishing the Great Lakes for walleyes. He has the uncanny ability to adapt to whatever conditions Mother Nature throws his way. Open-water trolling is his game and Big and Little Bays de Noc may be his playground in the end. 5) LYNN HANISKO.Last but not least. Maybe a dark horse to some, but certainly not to those who know walleye fishing on the Bays. Plain and simple, Lynn Hanisko is the walleye king when it comes to Big and Little Bays de Noc. Winner of an MWC championship here, Lynn has also won or placed high in more walleye tournaments on this system than any other angler. He may be fishing his first Walleye Tour event, but don’t discount this veteran angler’s ability to win. Hanisko quietly pioneered a number of Great Lakes open-water trolling techniques at a time when many of today’s top walleye anglers were still running around in dirty diapers. Experience and depth can be very hard to beat in the competitive walleye kingdom. Sometimes old dawgs don’t need new tricks to win. This event could be one of those times.		1) TOM KEENAN.Tom is always a threat on big water and especially on or near Green Bay. The Chevy pro should be ready for yet another top-10 appearance and a berth in the 2007 Walleye Tour Championship. 2) GLENN CHENIER.Glenn won the Walleye League finals at this location last fall and is almost a sure bet to contend on this water anytime of the year. I expect the Gladstone, Mich., native to be fishing on day four. 3) DEAN ARNOLDUSSEN.Dean always seems to figure this one out. He landed a $400,000 payday (the largest ever in walleye fishing) in the second Walleye Tour Championship on Green Bay. Although he has had a tough year by his standards, he has all the tools for a top-10 finish. 4) PATRICK NEU.Pat Neu, known on tour as the “Walleye Guy,” won on Green Bay two years ago and has never really cooled off since then. In fact, last year he took first place on this exact body of water in a PWT event. He should factor in, one way or another. 5) TED TAKASAKI.He let this one slip through his fingers last year at Green Bay and I believe a determined Ted will show up at the Bays de Noc. Ted can hold his own on any of the presentations that are likely to emerge in this one.