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08-28-2004, 11:31 AM
Young Gun Danny Plautz Takes
PWT Day One Lead at Bay de Noc
Escanaba, Michigan......The proudest person at the Outdoor Channel Pro-Am day one weigh-in was Dan Plautz, father of Danny Plautz, PWT tournament leader. They were both fishing Little and Big Bays de Noc, but young Danny, 22 years old, fishing his second season, landed four walleyes for 24.45 pounds.
Not far off the pace was the senior Plautz with 18 pounds, tied for fifth place. He is also the 2003 In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail Champion, and a 3-time PWT winner. The Muskego, Wis. pair were part of the elite PWT field of top-ranked walleye anglers competing for nearly $300,000.
The Outdoor Channel Pro-Am is the final qualifier of the 2004 season, and all eyes are on the invitation list (to be announced Saturday) for the September Mercury Championship. The top 10 in the MotorGuide East Division will be named after the third day, as will the top 30 of those pros fishing all six tournaments. Mike Gofron, Antioch, Ill., was ranked Number One in the Angler of the Year race going out this morning. However, he weighed 6.37 pounds, and Number Two pro Tommy Skarlis, Walker, Minn., scored 19.89 pounds.
Skarlis, currently in second place in the tournament and leading the Angler of the Year race said, “The great thing about the PWT is that it’s a 3-day event, and anything can happen.” Jokingly, he said, “Let’s cancel the tournament right now!” Both Skarlis and Gofron are PWT winners this season, each winning more than $85,000. Angler of the Year pays $25,000, plus Mercury pays an extra $10,000 bonus.
Skarlis is followed closely by Mark Christensen, also from Walker, with 18.27 pounds. Freeland, Michigan pro John Gillman is fourth with 18.14 pounds. Charlie Johnson, Merrifield, Minn., is tied for fifth with two fish including Big Fish of the day, 10.66 pounds. The leading amateur is Jeff Ryan, Lake View, Iowa.
Many anglers struggled during the “practice period” due to severe cold fronts which dropped water temperatures about 15 degrees. Walleyes and bait fish were stunned, but became more active the day prior to the Pro-Am. Danny Plautz said, “I knew the fish were there, and they finally turned on today. I can hardly wait for Friday.”
About one-third of the field fished rigs and spinners in Little Bay de Noc along the sand-breaks. The balance of the 120 boats headed south to troll secret GPS points as far away as the Cedar River area and shoals in Big Bay de Noc.
The weigh-in crowd was treated to nice weather and a fun-time during the stage festivities. The final two days of activities take place at Escanaba Municipal Marina Friday and Saturday starting at 3 p.m. A special youth fishing tournament is set for Saturday, with weigh-in and awards on the PWT stage.
The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America's leading producer of targeted media. PWT sponsors include: Mercury Marine, Lund, Berkley Gulp!, The Outdoor Channel, Trilene, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Mr. Clean, PowerBait, Lowrance, MinnKota, Frenzy, Gander Mountain, Blue Fox, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, Coleman, Storm, Boat Buckle, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, Kwik Pfyt, Beckman, Rejuvenade, E-Z Loader, Raymarine, Rapala, Matzuo, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Drift Control, Aqua-Vu, Plano, Stowmaster.net. Delta Chamber of Commerce 906.786.8830 and Bays de Noc County Visitors Bureau 800.533.4386.
http://www.in-fisherman.com/pwt/tournaments/04midayonepressrelease/
:)
PWT Day One Lead at Bay de Noc
Escanaba, Michigan......The proudest person at the Outdoor Channel Pro-Am day one weigh-in was Dan Plautz, father of Danny Plautz, PWT tournament leader. They were both fishing Little and Big Bays de Noc, but young Danny, 22 years old, fishing his second season, landed four walleyes for 24.45 pounds.
Not far off the pace was the senior Plautz with 18 pounds, tied for fifth place. He is also the 2003 In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail Champion, and a 3-time PWT winner. The Muskego, Wis. pair were part of the elite PWT field of top-ranked walleye anglers competing for nearly $300,000.
The Outdoor Channel Pro-Am is the final qualifier of the 2004 season, and all eyes are on the invitation list (to be announced Saturday) for the September Mercury Championship. The top 10 in the MotorGuide East Division will be named after the third day, as will the top 30 of those pros fishing all six tournaments. Mike Gofron, Antioch, Ill., was ranked Number One in the Angler of the Year race going out this morning. However, he weighed 6.37 pounds, and Number Two pro Tommy Skarlis, Walker, Minn., scored 19.89 pounds.
Skarlis, currently in second place in the tournament and leading the Angler of the Year race said, “The great thing about the PWT is that it’s a 3-day event, and anything can happen.” Jokingly, he said, “Let’s cancel the tournament right now!” Both Skarlis and Gofron are PWT winners this season, each winning more than $85,000. Angler of the Year pays $25,000, plus Mercury pays an extra $10,000 bonus.
Skarlis is followed closely by Mark Christensen, also from Walker, with 18.27 pounds. Freeland, Michigan pro John Gillman is fourth with 18.14 pounds. Charlie Johnson, Merrifield, Minn., is tied for fifth with two fish including Big Fish of the day, 10.66 pounds. The leading amateur is Jeff Ryan, Lake View, Iowa.
Many anglers struggled during the “practice period” due to severe cold fronts which dropped water temperatures about 15 degrees. Walleyes and bait fish were stunned, but became more active the day prior to the Pro-Am. Danny Plautz said, “I knew the fish were there, and they finally turned on today. I can hardly wait for Friday.”
About one-third of the field fished rigs and spinners in Little Bay de Noc along the sand-breaks. The balance of the 120 boats headed south to troll secret GPS points as far away as the Cedar River area and shoals in Big Bay de Noc.
The weigh-in crowd was treated to nice weather and a fun-time during the stage festivities. The final two days of activities take place at Escanaba Municipal Marina Friday and Saturday starting at 3 p.m. A special youth fishing tournament is set for Saturday, with weigh-in and awards on the PWT stage.
The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America's leading producer of targeted media. PWT sponsors include: Mercury Marine, Lund, Berkley Gulp!, The Outdoor Channel, Trilene, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Mr. Clean, PowerBait, Lowrance, MinnKota, Frenzy, Gander Mountain, Blue Fox, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, Coleman, Storm, Boat Buckle, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, Kwik Pfyt, Beckman, Rejuvenade, E-Z Loader, Raymarine, Rapala, Matzuo, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Drift Control, Aqua-Vu, Plano, Stowmaster.net. Delta Chamber of Commerce 906.786.8830 and Bays de Noc County Visitors Bureau 800.533.4386.
http://www.in-fisherman.com/pwt/tournaments/04midayonepressrelease/
:)