22 Limits of Fish Weighed on Day I at I.O.W.A. State Championship
By Steve Weisman
I.O.W.A. Publicity Director
The bite was definitely a hot one on the first day of the Iowa Organization of Walleye Anglers (I.O.W.A.) two-day State Championship held on both Big Spirit and East Okoboji.
A total of 22 teams weighed five-fish limits with 21 of the limits coming from East Okoboji. Four teams were able to use a kicker fish that separated themselves somewhat from the rest of the field.
Leading the way with a five-fish weight of 12.88 pounds was the team of Kolby Kester from Earlham and Brandon Burg from Redfield. Their kicker fish, a 7.86-pound beauty, took second place honors in the big fish category for Day I.
In second place with a five-fish weight of 11.87 pounds was the team of Frank Wood from Mason City and Lance Thoe from Ventura. Their kicker fish was the third largest of the day at 7.17 pounds.
Bruce and Terry Sparks from Des Moines weighed in limit weight of 11.34 pounds good for third place. Their kicker weighed 5.93 pounds.
The big fish of the day, however, came from the fourth place team of Lee Kiewiet from Buffalo Center and Tony Holland from Eden Prairie, MN with an 8.47-pound ‘eye. Combined with two other fish, their combined weight was 10.49 pounds.
“Talk about exciting,” said I.O.W.A. Tournament Director Dean Higgins. “The fish on East Okoboji are on a tear! It’s really no secret, because you really can’t hide from the competition on East Okoboji.”
However, during interviews, many teams did say the little things such as speed and baits were indeed making a difference. “That can be really frustrating,” added Higgins. “Teams are fishing in the same area appearing to do the same thing, and then one of the teams pops a huge ‘eye to go with their other weigh fish. The rest of the teams catch fish, but they can only catch the weigh fish.”
So what happens tonight? Lots and lots of strategy talks as teams try to figure out what little thing they can do to give them the edge for tomorrow’s Day II competition, where the $3500 first place purse will be on the line. In addition, the winners will receive a pair of $2500 certificates from Algona Marine and Sport toward the purchase of a Lund and Mercury package, along with two Smooth Seat Mounts. If the winners have a StowMaster net, they will win an additional $500.
Other prizes to be awarded tomorrow include the Berkley Big Fish Award, the Cabela’s Family Team Award and the Need Mack’s Lure Award.
Weather could play a big factor, too, with rain predicted along with 10-20 mph easterly winds. “The weather could throw in another variable for these teams to battle. But then that’s what tournament fishing is all about,” said Higgins.
Sunday follows the same time frame as Saturday with the tournament teams leaving the Highway 9 Boat Ramp and the Templar Park Boat Ramp at 7:30 a.m. with weigh-in festivities beginning at 3:30 p.m. “We had a good crowd at today’s weigh-in, and we hope to have a good crowd tomorrow. On Sunday, the teams will disclose their presentation patterns that worked. It is a great way for the public to witness some great fishing action and to also learn from some of the best,” noted Higgins. “Following Sunday’s weigh-in, we will also draw for the 2006 Arctic Cat Automatic 4×4 ATV, sponsored by J & K Snowmobile Sales in Estherville.”
Raffle tickets will be on sale at $20 per ticket until the end of Sunday’s weigh-in with all proceeds going for the Conservation Fund designed to help improve the fisheries that the I.O.W.A. teams have fished on this year.
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). 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].
Corporate sponsors for the 2007 I.O.W.A Team Walleye Tournament Trail include Lund, Mercury Outboards, ShoreLand’r Trailers, Algona Marine and Sport, MinnKota, Humminbird, Berkley, Cabela’s, Mack’s Lure, Smooth Move Seat Mounts, StowMaster, Hooters, FCIS “Anglers Choice” Insurance of Forest City and Dave’s KA-BOOM! Baits.
