Local pro leads on Lake Winnebago
Waupun's Hoinacki aims to make everything go right this time around
OSHKOSH, Wis. – It’s possible the fourth and final qualifier of the 2009 Walmart FLW Walleye Tour season is taking place on the most fickle walleye water anywhere in the nation.
On most lakes definable patterns set up throughout the season. Once those patterns are established savvy anglers lock in and do well.
Throw out the book of conventional walleye wisdom when it comes to Lake Winnebago. For the past three days 106 of the best pros in the business have used every tactic known to walleye fishing. They’ve covered every acre of fishable water in this massive system. Yet none of them have landed on what they feel is a solid, cant’-miss pattern. Even the leaders who made today’s top-10 cut are preparing to scramble again tomorrow to fill out their five fish limits and take home the top check of up to $100,000.
That, apparently, is Winnebago in July. Where else does the leader after two days fall to 24th on day three?
“I’ve got spots all over this lake where I can catch a 15-incher any day of the week, any week of the year, but they weren’t there today,” said Jeff Nuechterlein of Fremont, Wis., who today weighed one fish at 1 pound, 5 ounces and took one of the biggest tumbles down the leader board in FLW tournament history. “I tried crankbaits, stickbaits, harnesses, weeds, rocks. It just wasn’t my day. Maybe somebody put stink on my bait and lures.”
While Nuecherterlein has fallen, Tom Hoinacki of Waupun, Wis. has made a steady climb, from fourth after day one to third after day two to first after day three. With a combined weight of 39 pounds, 10 ounces, he has a 1 pound, 11 once lead heading into Saturday’s final.
The last time Hoinacki competed in a tour event was 2002. He didn’t weigh a fish.
“That year everything went wrong,” Hoinacki said. “Now this year everything has gone right – so far.”
His weights over the first three days have been 13 pounds, 3 ounces, 12 pounds, 15 ounces and 
today’s 13 pounds, 8 ounces, for an average weight of 13 pounds per day, lower than what was expected it would take to lead this tournament.
Hoinacki was asked if being the leader to start day four was additional pressure.
“I’m glad I am,” he said. “Why not? Your weight carries over, right? The more weight the better.”
Davis is saving his best for last
The topsy-turvy nature of a Winnebago tournament is best illustrated by Brad Davis’ outing so far. The Jackson, Wis. pro was seventh after day one, 11th after day two and second after day three. His combined weight is 37 pounds, 15 ounces.
Davis said knows where the fish he needs to catch are located, but getting them to bite is another matter. He had it figured out the first day, lost it the second and got it back today. He said was a little nervous when his co-angler, M.E. Sjolin of Neillsville, Wis., got in the boat this morning.
“She got caught on my tie off ropes and went rolling onto the front deck,” Davis said. “I thought, `Oh no, please be okay!’ I’ve always had a lot of luck when the gals come in the boat with me. I worked her tail off today and she reeled in every fish just perfect. I even got the net hung up on the kicker motor one time and we still got that fish in the boat.”
Davis has weighed a five-fish limit every day so far and most likely will need another good box tomorrow to catch Hoinacki.
McQuoid makes his move
Kevin McQuoid has been one of the few steady climbers at this tournament. He was 16th on day one, 10th on day two and third on day three, when he brought 14 pounds, 9 ounces to the scales to bring his three-day total to 36 pounds, 10 ounces. The Isle, Minn. pro trails Hoinacki by exactly two pounds heading into the final round.
Stressful day doesn’t undo Hughes
Jimmy Hughes of Oshkosh said his primary spot went kaput today, which made for a lot of nervous running around. But in the end the hometown favorite brought just 8 pounds, 14 ounces to the scales today. He heads into the final round with 35 pounds, 1 ounce, which is 4 pounds, 9 ounces off the pace.
“I have to thank my partner,” Hughes said of his co-angler, Lowell Joy of Bemidji, Minn. “He caught most of the fish. I just made sure I was steering the boat in the right place.”
Hughes said he and Joy landed six fish today.
Chris Gilman is fifth and Angler of the Year
Normally Chris Gilman would say he’s thrilled to be heading out on the final day in fifth place. But none of that was mentioned after Friday’s weigh-in. Instead, Gilman reflected on what it means to win the 
coveted Angler of the Year title for 2009.
“I’ve been trying to win this title and I’ve been so close,” said the Chisago City, Minn. pro, who wrapped up the season with 514 points. “A couple years ago I was in front going into the last day of the last qualifier and lost it to Jason Przekurat.”
Ted Takasaki led the AOY race heading into this tournament, but finished 97th with 9 pounds, 7ounces in the Lake Winnebago tournament. The only other challenger to Gilman was Pat Byle, who finished 35th with 24 pounds, 14 ounces.
Gilman’s cumulative weight over three days on Winnebago is 34 pounds, 14 ounces. He said he hit nine spots today, used four different techniques, and didn’t catch more than two fish on any spot.
Remainder of top 10 field for Saturday’s final
6. Rick Olson, Mina, S.D., 34-10
7. Bill Shimota, Lonsdale, Minn., 33-12
8. Patrick Neu, Forestville, Wis., 33-2
9. Brian Deffner, Eland, Wis., 32-14
10. Robert Crow, Paterson, Wash., 32-5
Top 10 co-anglers for Saturday’s final
1. Del Ringling, Valley, Neb., 38-14
2. Richard Dobbs, Woodridge, Ill., 35-1
3. Larry Oleson, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., 34-12
4. James Muntean, Maplewood, Minn., 34-7
5. Donald Doran, Sun Prairie, Wis., 33-9
6. Robert Brunz, Madison Lake, Minn., 33-4
7. Korey Sprengel, Beaver Dam, Wis., 33-1
8. Tad Saunders, Fond du Lac, Wis., 32-6
9. Mike Wiza, Stevens Point, Wis., 31-2
10. Don Cozzie, Orland Park, Ill., 30-10