Old Man Winter has yet to loosen his grip on the Detroit area. Even with temperatures below freezing at take-off time anglers are optimistic. Three days of freezing, but stable weather might trigger a feeding frenzy among the behemoth female walleye that live in the Detroit River. The semifinalists in the first event of the $2.9 million 2002 Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit know that you either weigh-in enough fish to make the top ten today, or you head home.
Lund pro Mark Martin of Twin Lake, Mich feels confident about making to the final.
“I know I am fishing the right areas to catch enough fish to make the final,” said Martin. “I have been alternating between two different fishing approaches and a couple of different areas. Now that there are only 19 other competitors out fishing there will be a little less pressure. I am going to stick with my game plan.”
First year pro Danny Plautz of Milwaukee, Wis. is not letting his nerves get the better of him.
” I weighed in 20 pounds yesterday,” said Plautz. “I think that is the kind of weight I will need to make it to the final day. I am pretty nervous considering this is my first pro tournament, but I am also confident. I have not missed a fish so far, if I keep that streak going and have enough fish I will do pretty good.”
Keeping an eye on the local anglers has helped Manitowoc, Wis. pro Jerry Ruffolo.
“My fish have come from here and there,” said Ruffolo. “I have not had any real consistent pattern. I started watching the locals closely and noticed what they were doing. I started to do some of those things and have been more successful.”
Regardless of the outcome Ruffolo wants to head home.
“I have not seen my family in 17 days,” said Ruffolo. “Not only that, I am a project manager for a nuclear plant. We are in the middle of a large project and my employer wants me to hurry back. I told them I can’t hurry back, I am fishing the semifinal round and hopefully will be fishing in the final tomorrow. If I weigh-in 20 pounds today I think I will be there tomorrow.”
Only the top 10 pros and co-anglers will make it to the final round. Their weights will be cleared and the anglers will start fresh tomorrow morning. The winning pro angler will collect $50,000 cash and a fully rigged Ranger, Crestliner or Lund boat. The winning co-angler will take home $15,000 cash.
Weigh-in today is at 4 p.m. at the Wal-Mart located at 755 Telegraph Road in Taylor, Mich.
Today’s stats
Sunrise: 6:02
Temperature at takeoff: 30
Expected high temperature: 38-40
Water temperature: Upper 30’s to lower 40’s
Water clarity: Clearing
Wind: WNW 13 mph
Relative humidity: 60%
Day’s outlook: Mixture of clouds and sun with a possibility of snow showers.