According to Wal-Mart RCL Tour pro Gary Roach of Merrifield, Minn., there will be a decision each pro will need to make each day of the championship: whether to concentrate efforts above or below the Red Wing dam. Above the dam, water is free-flowing, and nice walleyes can be found in backwater channels. Below the dam, anglers will have to deal with a series of locks and an occasional barge, but the bite can be super in the main current all the way down to Lake City.

Whether above or below, the current is important because the fish move into cuts to feed and then move back into the current.

Roach said if early fall is wet and water levels are up, most contenders will concentrate on working shallow backwater areas. If early fall is dry, almost all nice walleye catches will come from the main current.

Live bait is the best choice, including red-tail chubs, leeches and night crawlers. But don’t count out Wally Diver crankbaits, as they produce excellent catches in shallow water.

Links:

Pro field
Co-angler field
Pre-tournament press release