Matching the Baitfish Key for Mellema, Borbic to Take Michigan State
Championship of Walleye Fishing Title
By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
Using a silver hammered spinner to match the smelt forage keyed the
first place finish for the team of Dale Mellema from Walled Lake, MI and
Mike Borbic from Saginaw, MI at the Michigan Championship of Walleye Fishing
Tournament held this past weekend at Lake Leelanau near Traverse City, MI.
The Michigan State Championship of Walleye Fishing was the sixth of
eight such tournaments on the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup
(GNWC) circuit.
The winners, who took the Day I lead on Saturday with a six-fish limit
weight of 13.75 pounds, came back with three walleyes on Sunday to bring
their two-day weight to 23.12 pounds. They also captured the Berkley Big
Fish Award of $400 in Berkley product for their 5.18-pound walleye taken on
Sunday. For the tournament, Mellema and Borbic totaled $4860 in cash and
prizes.
Second place and a check for $1250 went to the team of Cal Stier and Cal
Stier, II from Bath, MI with a two-day total of 20.62 pounds. They showed
the most consistency of any team bringing a six-fish limit to the scales
each day.
Third place went to Bert Murlick and Bret Bremer from Saginaw, MI, the
2004 Michigan Team of the Year, with a weight of 10.74 pounds. They totaled
$1500 including a special $500 bonus check. They also won the Towtector
Comeback Award of a Towtector boat protector valued at over $250 for
advancing the most places from the first day to the second day. They were
shut out on Day I, but ended up in third place for the tournament.
The north basin of Lake Leelana proved to be the place to be for the
winners and the third place team. Mellema and Borbic worked a 14-50′
breakline and found 48′ to be the most consistent depth. They trolled
2-ounce bottom bouncers and silver hammered spinners tipped with
nightcrawlers to trigger the walleyes that were feeding on smelt.
Meanwhile, the Stier duo went to the shallower, south basin and found
their walleyes outside the deep edges of weeds. They had several spots
produce and caught 25 keeper fish during the two-day tournament. A variety
of lures worked including jigs, jerk baits and even spinner baits.
After fishing the south basin on Day I and coming up empty, Murlick and
Bremer switched to the 40′ waters of the north basin on Sunday and came up
big with their 10.74 pounds. They also used bottom bouncers and silver
hammered spinners.
According to GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer, it was a
challenging tournament for the teams. “The water temperature was much lowers
than usual for this time of year, and we had a cold front come through. We
still had some pretty good fishing. This is a beautiful lake and a beautiful
area. I really congratulate the teams who were able to figure out the
pattern!”
Several other special awards were presented at Sunday’s weigh-in.
The “Yo So Close” award of a Yo Net folding net valued at $80 went to
the teams that placed just out of the money. They include Craig and Kern
Michaels from Farmington Hills, ME in 9th place; Larry Booghier and Roger
Combs from Springfield, OH in 10th place; and Jeff Feyka from Milford, MI
and Stewart Christian from Traverse City, MI in 11th place.
The VIB”E” Lure award of two six-piece lure sets valued at $40 went to
the two teams who finished behind the Yo So Close award. They include Gary
Myas from Kalkaska, MI and Tim Darling from Clarkston, MI in 12th place; and
Alan Svoke from Grosse Ile, MI and Andy Kurlovich from Dearborn, MI in 13th
place.
The Gander Mountain “Need More Stuff” drawing of $200 for a Gander
Mountain Shopping Spree went to Al Entsminger from Grand Haven, MI and Rob
Stratton from Davison, MI.
“I’d like to thank the Twin Bay Docks for providing docks at the
weigh-in. It really made things go smoothly. Also, the Leelanau Sands Resort
and Casino and the community of Traverse City really put out the red carpet
for us,” added Barringer.
The Walleye Wisdom camera crew was also on hand to film footage of the
Championship. “The Walleye Wisdom camera crew is at all of the State
Championships to capture the excitement of the tournament action. The
highlights of these State Championships and the National Championships,
along with some great walleye fishing tips will appear on our 13-week
Walleye Wisdom television program,” noted Barringer.
Those interested in checking out the standings, reading the releases
about any of the eight regions or simply learning more about the circuit can
access the Gander Mountain GNWC website at http://www.walleyecup.com.
Title Sponsor for the GNWC is Gander Mountain. Other major national
sponsors include Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, the Sportsman Channel,
Berkley, Aqua Innovations, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, VIB”E” Lure
Company, TowTector Shield and UpNorthOutdoors.com.