Wal-Mart RCL anglers fish for walleyes, $105,000 in prizes
BAY CITY, Mich. – Feeling hot, hot, hot is how many of the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit competitors are feeling after several days of practicing for the fourth and final qualifying stop of the 2002 season at Saginaw Bay. Not only have the air temperatures soared into the mid- to upper 90s during practice, but the fishing has been hot, too. Talk of five-fish limits weighing in excess of 30 to 35 pounds has been thrown around by many of the pros and co-anglers at dockside.
“I have heard some competitors say they are struggling, but I am not worried about catching a limit out here,” said Crestliner pro Rick Olson of Mina Lake, S.D. “I feel the bite has been pretty consistent.”
Olson feels the need to go out and get a big bag of fish to secure a shot at making it to the semifinal round.
“I can’t win the tournament on day one, but I can sure help myself make the first cut by going for a limit of big walleyes,” said Olson. “I have a few spots that have been producing. I just have to make the decision whether to go for more fish or try for the bigger fish.”
Crestliner pro Wasyl Mirutenko of Hawthorn Woods, Ill., also feels the pressure to make the right decision.
“I can catch five walleyes out here,” said Mirutenko. “I just have to decide whether to make a 30-mile run or fish closer. I will probably make the run and try for bigger fish. There are a lot of 5- to 8-pound fish out there, and I think you will need bigger fish to make the cut here.”
The co-angler champion from the RCL held on Lake Winnebago, Michael Dutton of Kaukauna, Wis., feels excited being here.
“The weather has been unbelievably hot, but the fishing looks like it will be, too,” said Dutton. “I am excited to be part of the RCL and look forward to the future of the tour as it continues to grow. I hope that includes me coming in today with at least 20 pounds of walleye. I think it might take at least 35 pounds to get a check here and a lot more than that to make the first cut. In the four days of practice, I have seen some very nice fish caught out in Saginaw Bay.”
The pro anglers are competing for a first-place prize worth $90,000, which includes a check for $50,000 and a fully rigged Ranger, Crestliner or Lund boat with an Evinrude or Yamaha engine. The co-anglers are battling for a chance to take home a check worth $15,000.
Today’s weigh-in starts at 3 p.m. at Hoyles Marina (989) 697-4415 located at 135 South Linwood Beach, Linwood, Mich.
Today’s stats
Sunrise: 5:57 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 74
Expected high temperature: 82
Water temperature: mid- to upper 60s off shore, upper 60s to low 70s closer to shore
Water clarity: clear
Wind: SW 10 mph
Relative humidity: 78 percent
Day’s outlook: There is a possibility of scattered thunderstorms, of which a few could contain large hail and damaging winds. Winds are expected to be WSW at 10 to 15 mph with a 60 percent chance of rain.
Links:
Pro Division: RCL Circuit, Saginaw Bay
Co-angler Division: RCL Circuit, Saginaw Bay
Press release
Saginaw Bay preview
Day one photos