I.O.W.A. teams head to Storm Lake
By Steve Weisman
I.O.W.A. Publicity Director
Teams competing on the I.O.W.A. Team Walleye Tournament Trail are preparing for the second qualifier scheduled for Storm Lake on Sunday, April 22.
“This will make an interesting change,” said Dean Higgins, I.O.W.A. Tournament Director. “We move from the Mississippi River to Storm Lake in northwest Iowa. It has an excellent walleye population. The weather the past two weeks has kept water temperatures down, but with the temperatures finally moderating, I’m hoping we’ll have a good bite.”
With one tournament in the books, Higgins noted that there are now early leaders for some of the post-season honors. Based on their first place finish at Lansing, Jeff Munson from Coon Valley, WI and Thomas Oldenburg from Stoddard, WI hold the lead for the 2007 Humminbird Team of the Year prize of two Humminbird 797c2SI Combo fishing units.
A second honor is the Mercury Heavy Weight Award for the highest total weight at the end of the five qualifiers. This team will win a Mercury 9.9 Pro Kicker, and with their 7.13 pounds in the first tournament, Munson and Oldenburg also lead in this category.
The MinnKota Family Team of the Year goes to the highest placing family team. Mike and Doug Rodwell from Oskaloosa, IA are in the lead for the two MinnKota Vantage 80 transom mount trolling motors.
“Certainly it is early,” said Higgins, “but even with four more qualifiers to go, I know our current leaders are excited about the position they are in.”
A voluntary rules meeting and question and answer session will be held at Malarky’s Pub in Storm Lake on Saturday evening from 6-7 p.m. “We did this at Lansing and had a very positive response,” added Higgins. “It gives us a chance to make sure that there are no questions, and it gives us the opportunity to not only go over the rules, but also the take-off and weigh-in procedures.”
Take-off is at 7 a.m. at Casino Bay Marina, with the weigh in at 3 p.m. at Casino Bay Marina. “I invite the public to come out to the weigh-in,” said Higgins. “It’s always exciting to see what the teams bring to the scales. Plus, the top teams will share their fish-catching techniques.”
All of the latest news on the I.O.W.A. circuit can be found at the I.O.W.A. website (www.walleyepromotions.com). Openings still exist for the Storm Lake qualifier. Anglers interested in learning more about the I.O.W.A circuit can call (515) 571-1085 or they can email the I.O.W.A. staff at [email protected].