Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp USA and Warrior Boats LLC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2019
Contact: Denny Fox, 920-505-0122
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™)
A Full AIM Warrior Boats/Highway 3 Marine Tourney
Heads To Mille Lacs; Will 40 Pounds Take It?
Will 40 pounds of walleye take the AIM Weekend Walleye Series Warrior Boats/Highway 3 Marine Open on Minnesota’s Mille Lacs? Sunday (June 9) will tell the tale, when a full field of 100 AIM teams take to the water in the first tournament qualifier this season in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
“A look at the last couple of tourneys here show that it took at least 39 pounds of walleye to win, and I’m guessing it’ll be close to that Sunday as well,” said Denny Fox, AIM national tournament director. “Mille Lacs catch-release regulations won’t be an issue at all for our teams, since this three-state series is built around our unique Catch-Record-Release™ format that ensures fish go right back into the water after they’re caught, in as little as 30 seconds. And, that winner will be taking home a cool $8,000.”
Another factor teams need to figure in Sunday may be the weather. NOAA predicts a high of 78 Saturday, falling off the table to 58 on game day, Fox added.
Among the boats who will power up Sunday morning will be one headed by Pat Manteuffel of Oakdale, MN. He will be tillering his 90-hp Mercury-powered boat, and believe it or not, will be fishing against his son Kyle, who’s also registered for the event.
“I used to fish Mille Lacs a lot and I’m getting familiar with it again,” Manteuffel said at mid-week. He left the Minneapolis suburb at 5 a.m. Thursday after taking off work to head north to the lake, to pre-fish Friday and Saturday.
“We were up there last weekend, and the fish are spread out,” he continued.
“You can find some pods congregating. It was a bit tougher bite last week. But, we did get our five each day that we need for this weekend.”
What’s he getting them on? You name it, he said. And, he’s betting that jigs, Lindy or Roach rigs, and crank baits all might come into play as the lake warms up.
“I caught them on leeches, crawlers and minnows,” said Manteuffel, who reported last weekend the lake was from 62 to 64 degrees.
Manteuffel was cagey when asked where he got’em, however, but he did say that his fish were from 19 to 28 inches. And, he didn’t give away any colors, either, but let’s just say one could tell that part was important.
“My estimate to win this is going to be 40 to 45 pounds. Last weekend, at another event, it was 40 pounds to win one day and 39 the next. There are guys in this who know this lake a lot better than I do. Most will find their spots,” Manteuffel said.
Mille Lacs is a little bit stained, he said. In other words, possibly perfect for AIM anglers. “We had wind come up last weekend, but I don’t think it will be too stained Sunday,” he added.
Like, Manteuffel, we spoke with another typical angler on the AIM circuit. Peter Mart, of Utica, MN, won’t be on the lake until Saturday, because he’s working during the week. His partner is his father, Ted.
And, he’s never seen Mille Lacs in his life, much less fished it. But don’t let that fool you. They’re currently sitting atop the Team Of The Year standings, second overall in another major national tournament. In other words, he’s a fast learner. His first AIM tournament was two years ago, finishing fourth.
He’s waiting on local, and his own, on-water info, and he’s expecting to run crawler harnesses, crank baits or rigging creek chubs, and come Sunday, you’d better have 30 pounds or better to have a chance at occupying that podium.
“It all depends on the weather to me. You can catch a lot the day before a tournament, but it can be hard to catch them the day of. I’m not too much of a lake fisherman, I’m more of a river angler,” Mart said. He enjoys AIM’s C-R-R format.
“It’s great for the fish. There is no stress from being in a livewell all day”, he said.
The year’s first Minnesota qualifier begins Saturday night, with registration and rules meeting starting at 5 p.m. at tournament headquarters, McQuoid’s Inn & Event Center, 1325 MN Hwy 47, in Isle.
They’ll be launching at Mac’s Twin Bay in Isle, where check-in and boat inspection begin at 5:30 a.m. The first 50 boats will get the “go” at 7 a.m., with the last flight leaving starting at 7:15 a.m. They’re due back at Mac’s beginning at 3 p.m., and awards will be announced starting at 5 p.m. Sunday back at McQuoids Inn and Event Center..
Follow your favorites on tournament day via Garmin Fish & Hunt, and to see what team wins each tournament weekend, go to our Facebook page, and for information on all AIM tournaments and how to register for all AIM events, go to our website.
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™) is a unique tournament organization created and owned by many of the most accomplished and recognizable professional walleye anglers, along with others who share the mission of advancing competitive walleye fishing and making it sustainable into the future.
AIM is committed to marketing excellence on behalf of its tournament competitors, the tournament host communities, and the brands that partner with it. AIM is also committed to maintaining healthy fisheries across the nation by the development of the exclusive AIM Catch-Record-Release™ format which is integral to its dynamic events and unparalleled consumer engagement. For more information about AIM™, AIM Pro Walleye Series™, AIM Weekend Walleye Series, AIM sponsors and AIM anglers, visit www.aimfishing.com.
AIM Presenting Sponsors: Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. and Warrior Boats, LLC.
AIM Supporting Sponsors: Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Garmin, Navionics, Power Pole, Worldwide Marine Insurance, AirWave Pedestals, Off Shore Tackle, Bismarck Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau, Marinette WI, Pro Chattrr, Missouri Secrets Tackle, Gemini Sport Marketing, Anglers Avenue pro shop, Moonshine Lures Shiver Minnow, JT Outdoors Products, Fox River Lures and Rods.