Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp USA and Warrior Boats LLC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 22, 2018
Contact: Denny Fox, 920-505-0122
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™)
A Picky Bite May Be In Store For Lake Sak Anglers At
AIM Mercury Marine North Dakota Championship
Teams entered in the AIM Weekend Walleye Series Mercury Marine North Dakota Championship are lucky the tournament headquarters is Indian Hills Resort and Campground, which is about smack in the middle of the lake on the north side, because reports are that these late-season fish are getting picky, and local pressure may make it even more so.
However, teams competing for not only cash but an AIM National Championship Shootout Berth next season on the Missouri a few fuel-ups east, and Team Of The Year honors will also know they’ll be contributing to something special during the team registration and rules meeting Thursday evening at the resort, said AIM National Tournament Director Denny Fox.
“As always there’s a meal available, and Thursday, teams will be donating to a great cause, to help fund programs presented by On The Water to honor our wounded warriors. On The Water is a group of anglers headquartered at the resort who take veterans on the water fishing for a day,” Fox said.
“Donations by team members will be accepted at the registration meeting meal, and all proceeds will go to On The Water activities. AIM teams will also be able to learn more about the group so if they want, they can participate in future events as well that include an annual Father’s Day event honoring vets.
And, hopefully after getting in some pre-fishing, they’ll enjoy some relaxation after running and gunning this massive Missouri River impoundment the way Jordan Joshua did Wednesday. The Fargo resident grew up in western NoDak, and is pretty familiar with the lake. He’s reporting there’s lots of fish, which we all knew, when AIM last visited the lake in June.
However, they’re getting pickier than earlier this year when AIM visited at New Town in June. That event was won in Van Hook Arm, not far from Indian Hills. However, as Joshua reports, AIM teams heading there will be facing lots of local competition.
“From what we’ve found, there’s a lot of fish, but they’re really picky right now,” Joshua said. “You can mark a lot of fish, it’s a matter of finding the active ones, and anglers will have to move a lot, jumping from spot to spot,” he predicts. “You can pick up active fish, and I don’t think you’ll have to go too far. There’s a lot of fish out east following the smelt, and there are still fish to the west,” he said.
But, if you head west to Van Hook, expect recreational anglers are now piled in the known community holes. He didn’t spend too much time there, he said, because of that.
Joshua also says to have your full complement of tactics and armament ready. “Pretty much everything is working. People are pulling cranks, spinners and crawlers, using glide baits. It’s virtually the same pattern as Devils Lake was. You’ll find fish in 15 feet and you’ll find them down to 50 feet.”
Finding those late-summer pods of hungry fish may well be the key to winning it all during this two-day tourney. Stay tuned.
We’ll see who solves the last piece of the 2018 season’s puzzles, which began way back in April on the Missouri in Bismarck-Mandan, where teams will gather next May for an old-fashioned Missouri boat ride, AKA the National Championship Shootout, and the chance to go home with a new Warrior Boat and Yamaha motor.
Teams will register, be able to contribute and learn more about On The Water veterans events, and attend the rules meeting beginning at 5 p.m. at Indian Hills. Boat inspections begin at 5:30 a.m. Friday at the resort.
Teams leave from Indian Hills beginning at 7 a.m., and begin returning to the resort at 3 each day. The awards presentation begins Saturday at 6 p.m. at the resort.
Catch the morning previews and on-water action starting Friday at AIM’s Facebook site. For info on all AIM events, go to aimfishing.com.
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, Vibrations Tackle, Pro Chattrr, Gemini Sport Marketing, Treeland Resort, Anglers Avenue, Moonshine Lures Shiver Minnow, JT Outdoors Products, Fox River Lures and Rods, Bismarck Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau