Vernon, Warnke Take GNWC Opener at Mosquito Creek
By Steve Weisman
GNWC Publicity Director
Sorting through numbers was the name of the game for the teams fishing
the Ohio Region of the Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) at Sunday’s opening
tournament at Mosquito Creek.
The team of Kevin Vernon from Westerville, OH and Derik Warnke from
Aurora, OH made the most of their 6-fish limit weight of 13.29 pounds to
capture the $1600 first place check.
Vernon and Warnke echoed the sentiments of many of the competing teams
saying, “It was tough and took a lot of work to get a limit.” Even so, 43 of
the 46 teams weighed fish, and 15 teams brought six-fish limits to the
stage.
Lyle Heidenwith, GNWC Tournament Director, was pleased with the efforts
of the teams’ efforts. “They all gave a great effort. I think the Ohio
Region is going to be a lot of fun this year.”
Heidenwith continued, “It was tough work for these teams, and team
after team talked about the numbers of short fish they caught. It took a lot
of persistence to get a limit.”
Mike and Tom Defibaugh from Bellefontaine, OH took second place and a
check for $800 with a 6-fish limit weight of 12.41 pounds, while Joe and
Darren Dossi from Louisville, OH cashed a check for $520 with their third
place six-fish weight of 11.78 pounds.
The big walleye of the tournament was taken by William Christopher from
Smithville, PA and Edward Thomas from Farmington, PA with a 5.50-pound
walleye.
Although the teams tried a variety of presentations, the presentation
that seemed to trigger the fish was casting plugs.
The Yo So Close Award, provided by AMFYOYO, manufacturer of the
innovative stowable folding landing net, went to the three teams just
finishing out of the money. They went to Chuck Sadatose from Brockport, PA
and Rick Fike from Farmington, PA in 13th place; William Christopher from
Smithville, PA and Edward Thomas from Farmington, PA in 14th place; and John
Cook from Dayton, OH and Marc Colwell from Springfield, OH in 15th place.
Heidenwith added, “I think the Ohio Region is going to be an exciting
circuit. Last year at the first tournament we had 18 teams, so having 46
teams this year is a great way to start the season.”
Next up on the Ohio Region is the Lake Erie qualifier on April 30. For
those interested in entering this or any of the remaining qualifiers, call
1-800-890-FISH (3474), or email the GNWC at [email protected]. GNWC
Executive Director Bernie Barringer said, “I encourage people to check out
our website at http://www.walleyecup.com. With the season now underway, I think
people will find it extremely interesting to see how the teams do in each of
the seven regions.”
Major national sponsors for the GNWC include Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
Outboards, Lowrance Electronics, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, Aqua-VU,
Aqua Innovations, Towtector Shield, VIB”E” Lure Company and
UpNorthOutdoors.com.
Cutline: Top three teams at the Mosquito Creek Tournament held on Sunday (L
to R) third place; second place and first place.