Minke thinking big
Final weigh-in promises to be a nail biter
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. – At the 2008 Walmart FLW Walleye League Finals, Wisconsin boater Jimmy Hughes pretty much had victory wrapped up after two phenomenal days of fishing on the Mississippi River. But this year any of the 10 finalists have a legitimate shot at victory and the first-place award of a fully-equipped Ranger 621.
Currently, Kirt Hedquist is leading the Boater Division with 12-14. But hot on his heels is fellow Minnesotan Julian Jones with 12-7. After Hedquist and Jones, there is a slight drop off to third-place Bernie Neuhaus (10-10) and fourth-place Dusty Minke (10-5). The separation from Hedquist to 10th-
place boater Michael David is only 4 pounds – roughly the equivalent of one nice over.
Like he has all week, Minke plans to focus on getting two big fish. He thinks if he accomplishes that goal, he will head back to Lindstrom, Minn., with a new boat.
“I’m not going to chase after those little rats,” Minke said of the 12- to 14-inch fish. “After about two days of prefishing I figured out they weren’t going to win. I’m going for big fish and if I catch a few little ones to go with them that is a bonus.”
Minke is using a very unique technique to catch his Lake Wissota walleyes. While most of the competitors are rigging with live bait or trolling crankbaits on leadcore line, Minke is casting a Northland Mimic Minnow in the shallows.
“I sit up all day on the front trolling motor just like a bass head.”
In addition to retrieving the small swimbait, Minke will occasionally stop and pitch Weed Weasels to 
grass off of shoreline breaks.
“That Mimic Minnow has been the key for the big fish. It’s completely a reaction strike. I just discovered the pattern while watching baitfish jump.”
In order for Minke to claim his third Walleye League win, his little minnow will have to perform when it counts.
“Two overs is my goal. I gotta have them to win today. Six pounds would be nice, but I’m hoping for more.”
Meanwhile, Hedquist is looking to be consistent. While Minke goes hog hunting, the leader will focus primarily on putting five walleyes in the livewell.
“I think I’ll probably need an over, but you never know,” said Hedquist. “But I know I’ll need a limit and 
that’s the first order of business. Once I get a limit, then I can go looking.”
The final weigh-in, which is free and open to the public, will take place today at 4 p.m. Central time at the Walmart store located at 2786 Commercial Blvd. in Chippewa Falls. The winners on both the boater and co-angler sides are determined by the largest total weight spanning all three days of competition. Boaters compete for a $53,000 Ranger 621 powered by either an Evinrude or Yamaha outboard and co-anglers fish for a $22,000 Ranger Reata 1760.
Saturday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 6:49 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 56 degrees
Expected high temperature: 79 degrees
Water temperature: 70-76 degrees
Wind: S at 6 mph
Maximum humidity: 66 percent
Day’s outlook: partly cloudy