Actis, Stuckert Take Spring Valley Opener for Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup By Steve Weisman Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director The team of Mike Actis and Mike Stuckert from Spring Valley, IL won the Illinois Region’s first qualifier and a check for $1100 as the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) kicked off its 2004 season at Spring Valley on Saturday, March 20. The Spring Valley duo totaled a six-fish limit weight of 15.43 pounds. Actis and Stuckert also captured the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award of $400 in Berkley products with their 3.52-pound sauger. Second place and a check for $600 went to Brian Emat from Sectionville, IL and Jerry Emat from Princeton, IL with a six-fish limit weight of 13.03 pounds. Chris Clemmons from Newark, IL and Dale Greif from Naperville, IL won $480 for their third place weight of 12.66 pounds. Special awards include the following. The “Yo So Close” award of a Yo Net folding net valued at $80 was awarded to the three teams that placed out of the money. Those teams include Dean Wilkins and Thomas Wagner, seventh place; Scott Roehlk and Jim Bonjour, eighth place; Jim Wahl and Ron Mason, ninth place. The Gander Mountain “Need More Stuff” drawing of $200 for a Gander Mountain Shopping Spree went to Jereme Watkins and Dustin Watkins. Gander Mountain GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer was pleased with the Spring Valley opener. “We had a third of the teams catch six-fish limits and the number of teams is up significantly from a year ago. There is a lot of enthusiasm being shown, and I look for a good year here in Illinois.” Fishing conditions were good for most of the day with little wind and midday temperatures pushing into the 60s. However, that changed by early afternoon. “We really had a pretty good day going until about one o’clock,” noted Barringer. “Then the winds switched to the northwest and by mid-afternoon there were gusts approaching 35 mph. Still, water levels had dropped into the normal range this past week, so the bite was good. This is definitely one of the best sauger fisheries in the country.” Fishing presentations were varied with Actis and Stuckert vertical jigging in the current areas to catch their fish. They were also able to sort through several fish to get their winning weight. Meanwhile, the Emat team caught their fish jigging along the clam beds, while Clemmons and Greif used 3-way rigs and minnows to catch their six-fish limit. The Illinois teams now take a six-week break until Sunday, May 2 when they head to Lake Shelbyville. Anglers interested in signing up for a future qualifier or simply wanting more information on the GNWC circuit can call 1-800-890-FISH (3474), or they can email the GNWC at [email protected]. Title Sponsor for the GNWC is Gander Mountain with other major national sponsors including Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, the Sportsman Channel, Berkley, Aqua Innovations, YoNet, VIB”E” Lure Company, TowTector Shield and UpNorth Outdoors.com.
March 21, 2004 at 4:58 am
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