Michigan¹s Andy Kuffer Maintains PWT
Lead at Bay de Noc Tournament
Escanaba, Michigan…..Walleye pro Andy Kuffer stretched his lead on day two at the Lowrance/Lund North Central Pro-Am. The In-Fisherman
Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) contestants saw the Fair Haven, Michigan pro weigh three walleyes for nearly 21 pounds today (Saturday, Aug. 23), for a total of 48.04 pounds.
The number of fish brought to the scales dropped from 340 on day one to 258 today, after a cool front moved through the Upper Peninsula. Kuffer had his big fish (the slot limit is one per person per day over 23 inches)early, then saw the ³bite² slide. Areas that produced dozens of fish on day one were devoid of active fish, but the PWT pro anglers, the best walleye anglers in the world, persevered.
John Gillman, Freeland, Mich., has a total of 40.98 pounds for second. Pat, Schuette, Manitowoc, Wis., is in third with 39.74 pounds. On the amateur side, Bob Kubacki, Eagle River, Wis., leads after fishing with pro anglers Schuette and Jim McGowan, Hubbard, Ohio.
The Miller Big Fish on day two was the largest of the tournament to
date, and could pay $3,000 to Ronnie Rhodes, Lorain, Ohio, and Wally Thiel,Heartland, Wis. Their walleye weighed 9.46 pounds.
Angler of the Year leader coming into the Escanaba event was Keith
Kavajecz, Kaukauna, Wis. After a one-fish day yesterday, he bounced back with a limit and 18.76 pounds today, and is currently in 35th place overall.
If he holds onto the Angler title, he will be in position to win the
$250,000 Mercury bonus if he also wins the Championship, which he did last year.
The Mercury Championship will be held in Houghton, Mich., Sept. 12-14, as the elite corps of PWT anglers discovers the Keweenaw Waterway. Daily weigh-in festivities will be held inside the Michigan Tech Ice Arena. A $1,000,000 prize could be paid to a Championship angler from Quantum Performance Tuned rods and reels if the Michigan state record, 17.3 pounds, is broken.
The third day of the PWT tournament will also be the conclusion of the regular season qualifying events. A huge crowd of walleye fans watched the action Saturday, and will return with friends Sunday. The fun starts at 3 p.m. at the Escanaba Municipal Marina. Following the weigh-in, more than $300,000 in cash and merchandise and year-end prizes will be awarded. The Championship field will also be announced.