Traffic jam downriver from Bismarck
Half of Walleye Tour Championship field vying for big bite in same area
BISMARCK, N.D. – The day-one weigh-in of the 2011 National Guard FLW Walleye Tour Championship revealed it: There’s a hot spot on the Missouri about 25 miles downriver from the takeoff site at Hazelton Access Point. At least the top seven pros fished there for all or part of the day Thursday, and early reports indicated that probably half of the 40-boat field was trying to mine the same 30-yard stretch again Friday.
Taking control of the big vertical jigging bite in that same area on day one was pro Keith Kavajecz of Kaukauna, Wis., who weighed a five-walleye limit for 26 pounds, 12 ounces, giving him a near 5 1/2-pound lead to begin the second day of championship action today. Interestingly, second-place pro Chris Gilman of Chisago City, Minn., last year’s championship winner, caught one big one from the same deep-cut area yesterday before making a long run upriver to fill out his limit.
Not everyone fishing there is dropping jigs either, or at least not at all times. Some pros are handlining to attract a bottom bite and some are trolling. Yet others are pulling live-bait rigs with bottom bouncers, though this pattern may be more widely used by the half of the field not fishing in the same crowded area, which was described by Kavajecz as an underwater steep drop from about 10 to 30 feet – possibly a submerged cut bank.
One thing is certain: With up to $70,000 in first-place prize money and championship bragging rights at stake, each of the 40 pros fishing this week has his sights set on the winner’s circle, regardless of where he is fishing. The same number of co-anglers are fishing for a top award of up to $12,000 plus the honor of a National Guard FLW Walleye Tour Championship trophy. The field will be cut to the top 20 pros and 20 co-anglers after today’s weigh-in, and the winning co-angler will be crowned following Saturday’s competition. Only the top 10 pros will fish the final day Sunday to determine the 2011 champion.
On-the-water updates, other website features
Keep up with the action as it is unfolding with FLWOutdoors.com’s on-the-water-updates, sponsored by Chevy and provided by Walleye Magazine staffers.
For those who cannot make it to the weigh-in, which begins at 5 p.m. Central today at the Bismarck Civic Center, tune in online via FLW Live. And check out the stable of FLW Walleye Tour video – including interviews, weigh-in footage, TV shows and more – available this week during the championship.
Tournament logistics
Anglers will take off from Hazelton Camp Ground and Access Area located 31 miles southeast of Bismarck on Highway 1804 in Bismarck at 8 each morning. Weigh-ins will be held daily at the Bismarck Civic Center located at 315 S. 5th St. in Bismarck beginning at 5 p.m.
Fans will be treated to the FLW Outdoors Expo at the Bismarck Civic Center on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24 and 25, from 1 to 5 p.m. prior to weigh-ins. The Expo includes Ranger boat simulators, free seminars, the opportunity to interact with professional anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities. The first 300 kids 14 and under on Sunday will receive a free Zebco rod and reel combo compliments of 103.3 US Country. All activities are free and open to the public.
In conjunction with the FLW Walleye Tour Championship a National Guard FLW Soldier Appreciation Tournament will be held on Sat., Sept. 24. Members of the North Dakota National Guard, most of who have had at least one tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, are invited to participate. FLW Tour pro anglers will take teams of two National Guard members fishing to compete amongst their peers. Each team is allowed to bring in three walleyes. Weigh-in for the Soldier Appreciation Tournament will be held at 4 p.m. at the Bismarck Civic Center just prior to the final Championship weigh-in. FLW Outdoors along with the National Guard is operating this tournament to show appreciation to our service members of the National Guard.
On TV
Coverage of the FLW Walleye Tour Championship will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS. “FLW Outdoors” and will air Nov. 13 from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern. “FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Chip Leer, is broadcast to more than 500 million households worldwide.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 7:29 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 44 degrees
Expected high temperature: 80 degrees
Water temperature at the ramp: 56 degrees
Wind: SSE at 8 mph
Maximum humidity: 80 percent
Day’s outlook: some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon; warm; winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph; 10-percent chance of rain