Pundits’ Picks Walleye: Missouri River

Staff Division sends two to championship round

The FLW Walleye Tour Championship on the Missouri River in Bismarck, N.D., is the season-ending event of the 2008 season. It also serves as the final round for Pundits’ Picks Walleye, a recurring pretournament column featuring the most competitive collection of walleye prognosticators in the land.

After three qualifiers and one playoff round, it all comes down to this: three pundits competing in a winner-take-all championship on the walleye-rich waters of the Missouri River. I’m once again pleased to say that the Staff Division held their own in the U.P. – sending two of their three Pundits into the championship round.

While I’m proud of the overall outcome, it’s bittersweet because Sharon Reynolds, a true Pundit comrade, will not be joining the party in Bismarck. Despite her undefeated regular season, Reynolds fell to the previously winless Rick LaCourse. LaCourse claimed the Pundit title in 2007 and will once again be a strong contender. After a dismal 2007 season, Reynolds needs to be commended for an incredible bounce-back campaign in 2008.

In other playoff news, 2007 runner-up and self-proclaimed champion Mark Dorn defeated Pundit newbie Jason Kerr. Although Kerr finished with the second-most points overall, he had no staying power. Ironically, his Detroit Tigers faced similar problems in the Central Division of the American League.

Lastly, the Mayor of Punditville calmly dispatched Eric Olson, his fellow Minnesotan, 621 to 601. The 621 points from Escanaba, Mich., bring the Mayor’s overall total to 2,340, the most of any pundit. But just like the real FLW Walleye Tour, what happened in the past matters little now. What lies ahead is the year-end championship – winner takes all. Whoever accumulates the most points in Bismarck will be crowned the 2008 Pundit champion.

Here were the playoff results:

No. 3 pro Rick LaCourse def. No. 1 staff Sharon Reynolds 566-563

No. 3 staff Mark Dorn def. No. 1 pro Jason Kerr 582-537

No. 2 staff Brett Carlson def. No. 2 pro Eric Olson 621-601

Remember, the picks from Reynolds, Kerr and Olson are purely for your viewing pleasure. Only Dorn, LaCourse and Carlson are competing for the title of most prophetic walleye pundit.

Last thing, the disclaimer: The picks in this column in no way represent any sort of favoritism on the part of FLW Outdoors staff or its pro anglers. These are merely guesses – only arguably educated – as to who we think might do well at any given tournament.

– Brett Carlson

Tournament site

The Missouri River near Bismarck is chock full of 2- and 3-pound walleyes. Obtaining a five-fish limit each day shouldn’t be a problem for most of the 54 pros in the field. But in order to obtain separation, a kicker will be needed. The most common patterns will include trolling crankbaits and jigging. Generally speaking, cool, stable weather is optimal for a strong bite as the walleyes put the fall feed bag on. In addition to finding quality fish, navigation on the Missouri is tricky – even though the river is up 10 feet from where it was last year. From the Garrison Dam to the South Dakota border is a maze of sand bars, stump fields and underwater hazards. Championship qualifiers will have to take extra caution and bring emergency equipment for the unexpected. Another thing to remember is that unlike the four qualifying events, weights will be cleared after day two. Walleye Tour anglers seemingly will have to manage their fish in order to capture the $150,000 first-place purse.

Walmart FLW Walleye Tour Championship

Bismarck, N.D.

Sept. 24-27

Brett Carlson Editor FLWOutdoors.com Record: 3-1 Points: 2340

1) SCOTT ALLAR.No need to mince words – Allar is the best river fisherman in the game. Deadly with leadcore, deadly with rigs and jigs, the Berkley pro has all the tools to succeed in Bismarck. He’s finished second twice at the Walleye Tour Championship and I believe this year he finally seals the deal. 2) TROY MORRIS.Like Allar, Morris a veteran river rat. Unlike Allar, the host fishery is in his backyard. Years of experience will come into play as Morris makes a serious run at his first Walleye Tour win. If handlining plays a role, it will only enhance Morris’ already strong chances. 3) CHRIS GILMAN.My next two picks are models of consistency. Put them on any body of water where walleyes swim and they will find them – it is only a matter of time. For the second consecutive year, Gilman has notched two top-10 finishes in the regular season. Despite all his recent success, he’s had a few painful mishaps. Nothing would ease the sting better than a $150,000 win. 4) SCOTT FAIRBAIRN.Believe it or not, Mr. Consistency has never won a tour-level championship. He took second last year on Lake Erie and I like his chances even more in North Dakota. Fairbairn has a long history on this body of water (second at 2006 PWT Championship) and can adapt to changing conditions. 5) NICK JOHNSON.My last pick is a former Walleye Tour Championship winner and well-known river rat. Identified as a deft live-bait fisherman, the Castrol pro is also underrated as a troller. Either way, he’ll be at home so long as there is current. I oftentimes compare Johnson to bass pro David Dudley, who will stop at nothing to obtain victory.

Mark Dorn Director of Operations FLW Outdoors Record: 2-2 Points: 2171

1) CHRIS GILMAN.Chris has had a tremendous year and has all the tools necessary to win on the Missouri River. Jigging, rigging and crankbait trolling are all likely to emerge as productive tactics. I expect Gilman to be on the bite in Bismarck. 2) RON SEELHOFF.Given Ron’s history on this stretch of the Missouri River I expect his name to appear on every Pundit list. With that in mind, this is simply a defensive move. Expect Seelhoff to make the top-10 cut and be on the water Saturday. 3) TOM KEENAN.No one has been more consistent year-in and year-out than the Chevy pro. The Missouri River near Bismarck will be new water for Tom and I believe it will play to his crankbait trolling strengths. 4) SCOTT FAIRBAIRN.Evinrude pro Scott Fairbairn is legendary in walleye circles for his ability to estimate the bite and thus the weight necessary to win. This will be a game of ounces and Scott is very likely to meticulously calculate his way into the top 10. 5) CHAD SCHILLING.While not specifically home waters, this stretch of the Missouri is close enough to home for this hot new pro to give him an advantage. Chad burst on the scene at Lake Erie in the spring spring and never let up, delivering consistent performances all season. This could very well be his breakthrough event.

Rick LaCourse FLW Walleye Tour pro Port Clinton, Ohio Record: 1-3 Points: 1890

1) DAN STIER.Coming off a big win, watch for this man to be riding the hot streak. Dan is one of the best river fishermen I know. His knowledge of the area around Bismarck will make him the guy to beat. 2) TOM KEMOS.Tom is no stranger here in Bismarck. A past winner on the Missouri River, look for Tom to repeat. He will figure the fish out through the fall transition and jig his way to another win. 3) SCOTT FAIRBAIRN.Scott has always been tough here in past tournaments. The last time there was a tour-level championship here, he finished a close second to winner Tom Kemos. 4) CHAD SCHILLING.I just have to pick this FLW rookie. Chad has had a banner first season on the trail. He lives and guides just downstream and is familiar with the fall patterns that will win here. 5) TODD RILEY.Todd always comes through during championships. He loves to fish this river system and is one of the best when it comes to jigging and rigging.

Eric Olson FLW Walleye Tour pro Red Wing, Minn. Record: 1-3 Points: 2050

1) RON SEELHOFF.A tournament veteran on this body of water, Ron has won here before and knows the water well. If the trolling bite is to be had, Ron will find it, refine it, and be dialed in. Long runs may make for some tough decisions for Ron and the field as they balance fishing time with a long-distance bite. 2) PETE HARSH.What can be said about Pete that has not already been said? Pete is a wiley veteran, a live-bait god, and just one of the best pure fish finders ever. He is on a roll and confidence is key in the tournament fishing game. 3) TROY MORRIS.A local veteran with knowledge of this water, Troy brings dedication, desire and a will to win I have not seen in a long time. His versatility will play a major roll as the bite shifts through prefishing and the tourney itself. 4) SCOTT STEIL.Scott has really pushed himself and shown everyone what he can do. With a win at Cass Lake, he is riding that wave of confidence right into Bismarck. Growing up in Minnesota, Scott knows all presentations well and can adapt to a changing bite. 5) DAN STIER.Fresh off a win on another circuit, Dan too will be riding high coming into Bismarck. Stier has proved his versatility throughout the year and although he is no longer a Dakota resident, he will always have that local knowledge from years of experience.

Jason Kerr FLW Walleye Tour pro Holly, Mich. Record: 2-2 Points: 2227

1) SCOTT ALLAR.My first, second and third picks are the three Scotts in this championship. All three of these fishermen are proven in tough conditions. Allar specifically has been very consistent in the championship rounds. With this event on the river, he will shine. 2) SCOTT STEIL.Steil is a good fisherman and has been very consistent in 2008. He has a long history of success on the Missouri River system and it will continue at this tournament. 3) SCOTT FAIRBAIRN.Fairbairn is simply one of the best in the game and catches fish anywhere you put him. He will be a shoe-in for the top five come Saturday. 4) CHAD SCHILLING.Schilling was new to the FLW Walleye Tour this year and he landed with both feet running. Chad seems to be a humble guy and an outstanding competitor. Fishing in his neck of the woods should definitely play in his favor. 5) DAN STIER.Fresh off the victory in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Stier is heading west to familiar water. Dan may be one of the toughest competitors of our sport. He’ll leave it all out there by the end of this event.

Sharon Reynolds Tournament administrator FLW Outdoors Record: 3-1 Points: 2129

1) DAN STIER.Although he lives in Minnesota now, Dan grew up in the Dakotas and knows this water well. He has had a great season and I think it will end with back-to-back wins. 2) ERIC OLSON.I know Eric and I know he loves to fish rivers. He will get to pull his beloved crankbaits, whether by hand or by pole, and he will be fishing on Saturday – you can count on that. 3) PETE HARSH.Pete is the Angler of the Year for a reason. He is one the best walleye fishermen in the sport. If jigging and live bait are the best methods, Pete could be adding another piece of hardware to his collection. 4) BILL SHIMOTA.Bill was the FLW Walleye League champion from last year and he loves to fish rivers. He has had a remarkable rookie year on tour and I think it will end with his second top-10 finish. 5) SCOTT ALLAR.Can you believe I picked all Minnesota anglers? Scott is too good of a fisherman to be left out. He likes trolling crankbaits and the Missouri River will prove to be the perfect playground. Will this be the year we give Scott a first-place check?