They had an awesome new 1v1 bracket-format walleye dealio this year (no live bait allowed) where they live-streamed the whole thing — been waiting a long time for live-stream tourneys to come to the walleye world!
They just announced their new “Pro Walleye Series” for 2021 where 32 anglers (roster’s already set) will be chasing a chunk of the $100K paid out at EACH event. Yes, LIVE STREAMED! Here’s the schedule:
Apr 9-16: Detroit River, MI
May 14-21: Stump Lake, ND
Jun 4-11: Mississippi River Pool 2, MN
Jul 9-16: Wisconsin River / Lake Wisconsin, WI
Aug 20-27: Mille Lacs, MN
Oct 8-15: Chautauqua Lake, NY
The top 8 in the standings at the end of the year get to fish in the Shield World Championship. Think of it like the the Bassmaster Classic of the walleye world — reminds me of B.A.S.S. Nation where you can fish Club-level events and move your way up to Regionals, then Nationals, and even fish your way into “the big show.”
Waaaay too much info to fit it all in a single Target Walleye email, but I’ll keep you posted on all this schtuff going forward. Super exciting stuff and pumped to see walleye fishing getting a bigger chunk of the limelight.
2. NY: Oneida Lake has 1 mil [!] adult walleyes.
Believe the DEC hasn’t seen #s like that since the mid-1980s. Sounds like the walleye limit might get bumped-up from 3 to 5. Lot more info in The Oneida Lake Bulletin (Fall 2020).
3. NE: Meadowlark Lake getting more saugeyes.
A sauger/walleye hybrid. G&P hatcheries raise ’em to 4-6″ before being released. First started stocking Meadowlark with ’em in 2016 and sounds like they’ve been doing really well, so gonna continue.
Thought it was crazy that Meadowlark is just 55 surface acres?! So gotta think it wouldn’t take too long to find yourself a couple of those saugeyes, but I’ve been wrong about that before lol! Lake has a 15″ minimum and “no live baitfish may be used or possessed” which definitely helps level the playing field.
Btw the NE state-record saugeye went 8 lbs 14 oz (28″) and was caught throwing a spinnerbait on Calamus Reservoir in 2003.
4. Heads up…
Called the YANMAR 8LV370 marine diesel engine and is the first fully-integrated diesel option in wake-sport boats:
> …features twin-turbos delivering high torque and ultra-responsive control. It has an exceptional power range of 550-3,800 rpm for easy maneuvering and high top-end speed. The 8LV engine is notable for its powerful low-end torque performance and features an 8 cylinder 90-degree V configuration for balanced and smooth operation.
> …greater fuel efficiency over a gasoline counterpart. …also allow for longer maintenance intervals…operating for 250 hours, or 5x longer than a gasoline, between regular services.
> The cost and time savings of reduced refuelling will benefit boat owners and families who are out on the water for long hours and multiple days in a row. The fuel savings and fewer regular maintenance disruptions will be especially critical for wake schools who want to maximize daily operations.
Great, now even on calm days there will be a never-ending walleye chop lol.
Speaking of which…. I never did hear an update on the wake-surfing bill that was headed to MN Legislature back in March???
> “…a bill aimed at keeping wake surfing — in which boats create waves big enough for people to surf without the need of a tow rope — 200′ from shore, docks, swimmers and other boats.”
Although not sure it’d make a big difference because 200′ still seems like nothing. That’s 66.67 yards…which I’m pretty sure is about one long cast with Berkley NanoFil line lol?!
I’m all for having fun on the water, but definitely seems like hard guidelines or regs need to be laid out for those wake-’em-up rigs. Then again the people causing the most ruckus on the water probably aren’t the type to read a reg book….
5. Jason Przekurat hopping on Chip Leer’s Wildside podcast…
…tonight at 5pm CST to dish out the full details on his Lake Erie NWT win.
6. JB Lures has a new website.
And in case you need a little extra motivation to go check it out, they’re doing 10% off everything. Lots of ice-fishing goodies to snoop through — some new and others you’ve probably been using for years:
7. Aine Denari = new prez of Brunswick Boat Group.
> …joins Brunswick after spending the past 20 years in a variety of executive positions within the automotive industry, and in leadership positions at major global consulting firms.
Brunswick = Lund, Mercury, Crestliner, MotorGuide and way more.
8. MN: 4 silver carp fitted w/ tracking devices…
…and released in Pool 8 of the Mississippi River near La Crosse, WI.
> “The more we can learn about [the movements and habits of] these fish, the more effectively we can work to prevent their spread.”
9. Was sure nice of those Lake Erie walleyes…
…to bring their own boat snacks with during a trip w/ cap’n Ross Robertson:
