Worthless slots

Final qualifier on Bays de Noc under way

ESCANABA, Mich. – In tournament walleye fishing, getting a limit of five fish each day is imperative. That was the case at the first three Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour qualifiers of the year on Lake Erie, Lake Sharpe and Cass Lake. But on Lake Michigan’s Bays de Noc, going for a limit is strictly optional.

As strange as it sounds, that is precisely the situation at the fourth and final regular-season event of the 2008 Walleye Tour season. Just like the previous two tournaments, there is a slot limit in place. Anglers can keep only two walleyes over 23 inches in length, but unlike the two previous tournaments, culling is allowed. Simply put, catching two 6-pound “overs” each day might be enough to make the top-10 cutoff.

Typically the walleye fishing on Bays de Noc is good if not great in late July. But because of a wet and cold spring, the fishery is weeks behind schedule. The annual mayfly hatch and alewife spawn, which typically take place in early July, are currently under way. That means there is abundant food in the system. And as all anglers know, when there is abundant baitfish, game fish aren’t too keen on chasing crankbaits and crawler harnesses.

Last year the bite was surprisingly difficult as pro Steve Vande Mark won on Big Bay with a four-day total of 76 pounds, 3 ounces. That might not sound tough, but Vande Mark won by an 18-pound margin. After three days, it took only 37 pounds to make the top-10 cutoff. Similar weights are expected this year, but if the wind does blow unpredictably, they will greatly improve.

Bays de Noc walleyes are notorious for being night or low-light feeders – the choppier the water is, the less light penetration gets through. Several anglers have said there is a strong morning bite, but it only lasts a few hours.

“When we first got here it was really tough, but the bite is getting better,” said BP pro Jason Przekurat. “It just got warm and that’s why the bite has gotten better, but you’ve still got alewives to contend with. It’s really a lot like last year except Wisconsin waters are off-limits. You’ve just got to get your overs. I’m 46th in the points so I need to catch some fish to go to Bismarck.”

To qualify for the year-end championship on the Missouri River, the 2007 Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year figures he needs to finish 50th or better here in Escanaba. He plans on starting the tournament by running south towards the Menominee River, which is the state line between Michigan and Wisconsin.

“I figure a lot of boats, maybe even half the field, will fish Big Bay. Going off our practice, Big Bay was not the place to be.”

Logistics

Escanaba Harbor in Escanaba will host daily takeoffs each morning at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the Escanaba Harbor beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s takeoff will take place at 6:30 a.m. with the final weigh-in being held at the Wal-Mart store located at 601 North Lincoln Rd. beginning at 4:30 p.m. The community is invited to attend daily takeoffs and weigh-ins, which are free and open to the public.



Pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day and fish for a combined boat weight. Pros compete against other pros, and co-anglers compete against other co-anglers. The full field competes during the three-day opening round for one of 10 final-round slots based on their three-day accumulated weight. Weights carry over to day four, with the winners determined by the heaviest four-day weight.

Every angler who receives weight credit in a tournament earns points, with 150 points awarded to the winner, 149 to second, 148 for third, and so on. These points determine Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year standings.

The top 50 pros and 50 co-anglers in the standings will advance to the $650,000 FLW Walleye Tour Championship in Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 24-27 for a shot at top awards of $150,000 and $20,000, respectively. The prestigious championship, hosted by the Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau, will also feature boater and co-angler points champions from each of four Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League divisions. The no-entry-fee FLW Walleye Tour Championship is the most lucrative event in professional walleye angling, with cash awards for the entire field.

Wednesday’s conditions

Sunrise: 6:22 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 57 degrees

Expected high temperature: 78 degrees

Water temperature: 64-69 degrees

Wind: N at 12 mph

Maximum humidity: 54 percent

Day’s outlook: sunny