Professional Walleye Trail (PWT)
The Walleye Top 10 Jigging & Rigging List
by Julie Magnuson, PWT Coordinator
(Jul. 17, 2003 – Brainerd, MN)… The In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) anglers have voted. They named the best walleye jiggers and riggers, and the lists are impressive. Voting earlier this season were all PWT pro anglers. Jigging and rigging have been the most popular and time-tested walleye tactics. Both will be predominant patterns at the upcoming tournament at Mobridge, SD.
Fishing popular Lake Oahe July 30–Aug. 1, with nearly $300,000 on the line, will be a test for these anglers. This event, the Realtree/Optima Batteries Western Pro-Am is the fifth qualifying tournament of the season.
After tournaments in New York, Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota, pro John Bergsma, Walker, Mich., a past Champion, is leading the Angler of the Year race, and will go out Number One at Mobridge.
PWT Top 10 Walleye Pro Anglers at Jigging
((These PWT pro anglers, the best jiggers, represent 20 PWT wins, six Angler of the Year titles, six Optima Top Guns and four Championship victories.))
1. Mike Gofron, Antioch, Ill.
2. Daryl Christensen, Montello, Wis.
(note: these two anglers received 54% of all votes)
3. Gary Parsons, Glidden, Wis.
4. Tommy Skarlis, Walker, Minn.
5. Gary Gray, Oshkosh, Wis.
6. Keith Kavajecz, Menasha, Wis.
7. John Kolinski, Greenville, Wis.
8. Pete Harsh, Sauk Centre, Minn.(tie)
8. Mark Martin, Twin Lake, Mich. (tie)
10. Ted Takasaki, East Gull Lake, Minn. (tie)
10. Scott Fairbairn, Hager City, Wis. (tie)
10. Kim Papineau, Escanaba, Mich. (tie)
PWT Top 10 Walleye Pro Anglers at Live Bait Rigging
((The top live bait riggers represent 24 PWT wins, five Optima Top Guns, four Angler of the Year titles and five Championship victories.))
1. Pete Harsh, Sauk Centre, Minn.
2. Mike Gofron, Antioch, Ill 3. Bruce Samson, Minnetrista, Minn.
(note: these three anglers received 58% of all votes cast)
4. Dan Stier, Pierre, SD
5. Perry Good, Eagan, Minn.
6. Scott Fairbairn, Hager City, Wis. (tie)
6. Gary Parsons, Glidden, Wis. (tie)
6. Ted Takasaki, East Gull Lake, Minn. (tie)
9. Mark Brumbaugh, Arcanum, Ohio (tie)
9. Keith Kavajecz, Menasha, Wis. (tie)
9. Mark Martin, Twin Lake, Mich. (tie)
9. Eric Naig, Cylinder, Iowa (tie)
All PWT pro anglers named above will be fishing at Mobridge, SD in a few weeks. Many walleye fans plan their schedules around the PWT stage shows and weigh-in activities, which at Mobridge begin at 3 p.m. daily Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, July 30, July 31 and Aug. 1. Slated weigh-in site is at The Bay. These ceremonies are free of charge and provide great opportunities to meet and greet the pro anglers. Fans learn about tactics, where to fish, how to fish and all about electronics, boats, outboards and more.
The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America’s leading producer of targeted media.