Cotton Cordell Walleye Tournament

  • scottsteil
    Central MN
    Posts: 3817
    February 19, 2004 at 2:42 pm #293327

    Anyone going? Sounds like a blast. I like to catch 15 pound walleye!!! DZ, you in?

    tony_apisa
    E. Moline Illinois along the Rock River
    Posts: 1180
    February 19, 2004 at 3:20 pm #293331

    I have fished Harry S Truman Res. and some sections of Lake of the Ozark. There is some fantastic fishing there. I had spent 8 days down there in April and that wasn’t enough. We trolled umbrella rigs for striper’s and every once in a while would hook up with a really nice walleye. They got some big ones down there.

    DeeZee
    Champlin, Mn
    Posts: 2128
    February 20, 2004 at 1:49 pm #293463

    I am THIS close to fishing this event! Got to work out a couple more details, but I think I am heading down there. The word I got on this event is that the Missouri Conservationist have worked closely with Cotton Cordell to supply the best timing for producing as many big walleyes as possible for this event. This fishery is a huge overlooked opportunity! There is no doubt that there will be several walleyes in the TEENS caught throughout the day in this event!

    Small Entry and BIG Payouts is the theme for this event.

    As mentioned in the rules and regs that only Cotton Cordell products may be used in the event! Water temps will be in the mid 40’s to low 50’s, which means perfect crankin time for pre-spawn walleyes.

    My guess this event will be won pulling boards and cranks over supsended fish that are feeding on the huge shad base populations….and OOHHH what a fish it might be! This pattern produces 9 times out of 10 the biggest fish in a system…..wait a minute, I am giving away my strategies.

    Because of the shad that the walleyes feed on are so high in protein, the growth rates are incredible. Check out the growth rates of these walleyes from the Ozark impoundment…
    The growth rates (females) are:
    1st year: 7-8″
    2nd year: 13-15″
    3rd year: 17-21″
    4th year: 20-23″
    5th year: 22-26″
    6th year: 23-27″

    Here is also a small sampling from there electroshocking they did recently. Because this is such a deep section of water, electroshocking has marginal results at best, but look at these numbers…
    2 11.6 lbs.
    2 9.9 lbs.
    2 9.3 lbs.
    1 8.1 lbs.
    numerous 7 pounders with fish in the 5-6 lbs being common.

    ANYONE HAVE CABIN FEVER YET!!

    scottsteil
    Central MN
    Posts: 3817
    February 20, 2004 at 1:59 pm #293467

    Steve, you do the prefishing and I am in. I wouldn’t be able to drive down until Friday but I would fish it!

    tony_apisa
    E. Moline Illinois along the Rock River
    Posts: 1180
    February 20, 2004 at 3:57 pm #293484

    Hey Steve or Scott,

    I was just wondering if you ever pull Wally Minnows? Last year was the first time I used them. I got my three biggest fish last year (trolling) these baits. Just curious if you use them or not.

    DeeZee
    Champlin, Mn
    Posts: 2128
    February 20, 2004 at 4:08 pm #293485

    Tony,

    I have pulled them out on Lake Erie in the spring with very good results in years past. Last two years were the Superman Flash or the Flakey Doctor Flash for our good color producers.

    Here is a color chart for all the Wally Minnow colors availible What was your best color(s)?

    Take a look at the entire Cotton Cordell Family of lures availible for this event. The CC Shad, The Grappler Shad and the Wally Diver would be a start to some of my go to producers to match the forage out there!

    tony_apisa
    E. Moline Illinois along the Rock River
    Posts: 1180
    February 20, 2004 at 4:15 pm #293486

    Mine came on the Simba and the Flakey Doctor Flash. Thanks for the link.

    dustin_stewart
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 1402
    February 20, 2004 at 6:08 pm #293501

    DeeZee, I picked up some of those wally minnows this winter, thought they looked good for some cold water shallow water trolling. Just wondering if you could fill me in a bit on the running depth of this lure as I have not had one in the water yet. Do you think these would be good cold water crankin baits,water temps high/mid 30’s or would they be better when the temps reach the upper 40’s/lower 50’s?

    Thanks for your input

    DeeZee
    Champlin, Mn
    Posts: 2128
    February 20, 2004 at 6:59 pm #293510

    Dustin,

    How deep did you have in mind? Last spring out on Lake Erie, I learned that these lures excelled when we slowed the troll speed down to a crawl in 38-42 degree water temp….meaning 1.0-1.4mph. They have a nice slow tail whip action at this speed and really turned fish on. The CS8 has the ability to run down to 15-18 foot depths with approximate 75-110 foot of line out(depending on line diameter and braid versus mono).

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    February 20, 2004 at 7:10 pm #293512

    Thanks for the link Bud. Lots of goodies to check out. Thanks, Bill

    ryan-hale
    NW Ia
    Posts: 1548
    February 20, 2004 at 8:07 pm #293515

    Steve and Dustin,I have had very good luck on big eyes on the wally minnows.
    But I like to troll mine at 2mph and go for that special fish.
    Picture from last years Iowa GNWC state championships.I caught this huge walleye off a chrome and blue wally minnow.
    Ryan Hale

    dustin_stewart
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 1402
    February 20, 2004 at 8:57 pm #293521

    DeeZee,

    I was thinking in the 7′ to 15′ depths. I can run the stick baits like suspending Rogues and husky jerks in the 7′ and shallower depths. I’ll play with them a bit and see what I come up with here on the river.

    Ryan , I can only hope to catch a walleye as nice as that someday before I die. Only exception being…….. mine will hopefully look more like the real thing

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    February 20, 2004 at 9:47 pm #293533

    You have got to think ”Golden” Dusty, not green. Those ”Golden” fish are bigger!

    DeeZee
    Champlin, Mn
    Posts: 2128
    February 27, 2004 at 6:26 pm #294448

    Anyone planning to make the trip to Missouri for a fantastic cabin fever fishing remedy?
    Should be a great event.
    Low entry fee….High payout!

    Weather appears that they see 50-70’s being the normal day time temps! Although we are spoiled right now here in the upper midwest, this honestly could be a blessing in mid-march!

    rippinpigs
    Apple Valley, MN
    Posts: 399
    February 27, 2004 at 7:15 pm #294462

    Man…. that tourney is very tempting Steve. If anybody is going down that way, and needs a partner, let me know!

    b_sander
    Red Wing , MN
    Posts: 800
    February 28, 2004 at 10:36 pm #294565

    I must be blind where/what is the payout

    DeeZee
    Champlin, Mn
    Posts: 2128
    March 1, 2004 at 2:39 pm #294682

    Brian,

    The entry fee for the team is $135.00. I have not seen the actual break down of the pay outs yets, hopefully very soon.
    I have been told by a good source that they will be compatitble with a MWC event payout based on a 100 or more boats. I will post the payout itinerary as soon as I get my hands on it.

    DeeZee
    Champlin, Mn
    Posts: 2128
    March 11, 2004 at 12:15 pm #296135

    Anyone plan on making this event? Its right around the corner March 21st. One day winner takes all! These walleyes are making their migrational run as we speak. The Missouri conservation team have strategiclly pinpointed the best possible time of the year to catch huge walleyes making their migrational run up the river arm. Without a doubt their will be some BIG BIG walleyes caught that are expected to hit fish in the teens!

    This should be a great event with alot of big fish caught!

    DeeZee
    Champlin, Mn
    Posts: 2128
    March 18, 2004 at 12:53 pm #297271

    I just got some very good information from a very reliable source that told me that the Biologist that is working with Cotton Cordell for this tournament just shocked 80 fish yesterday in a north arm river area on Lake of the Ozarks. Of the 80 fish that were shocked the majority were 4-8lbs in weight with the biggest hitting the scales at a whopping 15lbs!!

    Guys if you are interested in catching a fish of a lifetime, this Saturday (March 20th) may be your best bet in achieving this goal. A short 8 hour drive from the Minneapolis area and you are ready to score with some big fish!
    Should be a great event with some HUGE fish caught.

    Remember….Cotton Cordell lures only in this event, so gear up with you Grappler Shads, Wally Divers, Wally Minnows, CC Shad’s and hit the water. Water temps appear to be the perfect crankin temps down there right now! Don’t forget your jigging spoons either!!

    Good luck to all that fish this event this coming weekend!

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    March 18, 2004 at 1:15 pm #297263

    Steve,

    Please keep us posted on the results. I’m anxious to hear what weights come to the scales. Sure sounds tempting, maybe next spring…..

    wade_kuehl
    Northwest Iowa
    Posts: 6167
    March 29, 2004 at 4:38 pm #298736

    Steve, did you do this tourney?

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