PORT CLINTON, Ohio – Despite Mother Nature’s best efforts, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour anglers brought large sacks to the scale on the opening day of competition on Lake Erie. Anglers fought through a myriad of harsh weather conditions including sleet, hail, wind and rain. While the fishing was very good by most measures, Wednesday was considered tough by Lake Erie standards.
Greg Schenecker of Watertown, S.D., caught the largest sack of the day that weighed 30 pounds, 4 ounces. While Schenecker was thrilled to be in first, he worried that his spot might have gone dry.
“It feels real good; it’s my first time in this position,” he said. “My partner and I worked together as a team, and we caught all eight of our fish by 10:45 a.m. We caught a lot of suspended fish up high in the water column. We’re fishing real clear water, which is key.”
When asked whether or not he would like the bite to improve, Schenecker replied, “I’d personally like it to get better, because I’m not so confident my fish are going stay where they are.”
Local pro Lacourse second
To no one’s surprise, Port Clinton, Ohio, native Richard Lacourse finished the day in second place with a five-walleye limit that weighed 29 pounds, 14 ounces. After the rough day, Lacourse was pleased to be on land and to be in the hunt.
“It was wet, cold and windy,” barked Lacourse. “Today was a scrounge day; it was not fast and furious. The water kept changing.”
Lacourse caught six fish between 34 and 38 feet of water. “It was tough to troll because there were 3- and 4-foot waves out there, but I had confidence that I could get at least two or three big fish. I’m happy to be in position.”
On the prospects of a better bite tomorrow, Lacourse said, “After day one, I figure the fishing will improve throughout the tournament.”
Neu in third
In third place was Robert Neu of Forestville, Wis., with five walleyes that weighed 29 pounds, 5 ounces. Despite sitting in third place, Neu classified the bite as awful. “The last week has been awful and it continued today,” he said.
While Neu was pleased with his own performance, he knows how fast things change on Lake Erie.
“I feel good about what I accomplished today,” he said. “At this point in time, it’s too early to worry about your position.”
About the area he was fishing, Neu said, “We were trolling fairly deep water. I found clear enough water to make my fish bite. You can’t catch them if they can’t see it. Lake Erie walleyes feed by sight, not by sound.”
Lambert fourth
Finishing day one in fourth place was Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio, native Larry Lambert. Lambert brought in a five-walleye limit that weighed 27 pounds, 11 ounces.
Schaefer fifth
In fifth place was Mike Schaefer with five walleyes that weighed 26 pounds, 5 ounces.
Rest of the best
Rounding out the top 10 pros after day one at Lake Erie:
6th: Dean Arnoldussen of Appleton, Wis., 25-15
7th: Joe Whitten of Toledo, Ohio, 24-13
8th: Paul Wright of Westpoint, Ind., 24-11
9th: Jeff Taege of Rhinelander, Wis., 22-15
10th: Scott Cain of Midland, Mich., 22-10
Todd takes co-angler lead
On the co-angler side, Dale Todd was taking pleasure with his position as leader after the first day of competition.
“I enjoyed today,” said Todd. “This is the first time I’ve ever been in the top 10. I’m hoping for a good draw tomorrow, and I think I got one.”
About how the weather affected his fishing, Todd said, “We changed when the weather changed, and it made a big difference for us. We got wet every now and then, and the waves were really rocking.”
Coming in second for the co-anglers was Joseph Fallaw of McHenry, Ill., who caught five fish that weighed 29-14.
Co-angler Jeff Sather of Montevideo, Minn., placed third on day one with a weight of 29 pounds, 5 ounces.
Michael Watson of Spirit Lake, Iowa, claimed the fourth spot for the co-anglers with a weight of 27 pounds, 11 ounces.
Fifth place went to Don Jelinek of Fargo, N.D., for 26 pounds, 5 ounces.
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers after day one at Lake Erie:
6th: Charles Dahl of Burlington, Wis., 25-15
7th: Roger Murray of Milo, Iowa, 24-13
8th: Jim Nightengale of Brook Park, Ohio, 24-11
9th: Paul Huckno of Union City, Pa., 22-15
10th: Justin Steinke of Birnamwood, Wis., 22-10
Day two of FLW Walleye Tour competition at Lake Erie begins as the field of 136 boats takes off from West Harbor Launch Ramp at 7 a.m. Eastern time Thursday for the second day of the opening round.