Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp USA and Warrior Boats LLC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 1, 2019
Contact: Denny Fox, 920-505-0122
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™)
AIM NoDak Championship Teams Ready
To Give Devils Its Due Friday and Saturday
It’s definitely devilish in how its level rises, then drops, and it’s a devil to fish at times, but the North Dakota teams heading for Devils Lake for the AIM Weekend Walleye Series Yamaha Motor Corp. 2019 state championship are in for a devilishly good time, and great fishing.
“It’s all on the line here, for both the championship title, and Team Of The Year,” said Denny Fox, AIM national tournament director. “Devils certainly can be a challenge, and an absolute blast, to fish this time of year. AIM’s top North Dakota anglers are heading there now to Woodland Resort to begin pre-fishing midweek, and some are there already. And we’re ready, too.”
So, this is it. The culmination of an entire season of planning. Finding and ranking fishing spots. And most of all, the fun of both competition and learning new and re-learning familiar lakes. Time to put the pedal to the metal. And at the same time to remain calm, and not over-think, or fish memories.
Lucas Bruns of Minot will be there in his Yamaha 90 four-stroke– powered boat. Bruns is a perfect example of why all you North Dakota walleye anglers should step up and join in on the fun with AIM next season. Bruns runs a boat that’s smaller than lots of others on the tour, but look where he is in Team Of The Year standings: He’s in the top five in points, showing that ANYBODY can win this thing. This is his first season with AIM, and he’s loving it.
“I’ve fished three of the four starting with New Town and finished in second, and sixth at Lake Audubon, and the east end of Sakakawea. We’ve been consistent enough to stay up and we figured we’ll keep pushing on,” he said.
“I truly love the format, Catch-Record-Release®. You couldn’t ask for anything better as far as letting those nicer fish go, and you don’t have to worry about cleaning. It’s definitely something I can see spreading,” Bruns said.
“I’m not super familiar with Devils. I can count how many times I fished there maybe on one hand,” Bruns said, getting ready for two days of pre-fishing.
“It’s going to be interesting. There’s a lot of water to cover. I heard there was both a shallow bite still and a deep bite, across the board. Since I’ve got a smaller boat I’ll focus on staying as close as possible and maybe venture into the East Bay to play around. We had a cold front come through but it’s nice right now and the forecast shows low 80s and the wind seems to stay pretty consistent. Definitely fishable conditions,” he added.
I’m going to try starting off doing some trolling and dial it in from there. I’ve heard 12 to 15 feet along weed edges has been producing and have even heard of people getting fish near the ‘towers’ (those are power line towers that march across the lake) with Jigging Raps. I think it’s going to be a case of if you find the right ones, you’ll be able to dial them in.”
Reached as he was about to head out the door for Devils, Kevin Stobb of Williston made another Devils throw-down: it’ll take at least 40 pounds over the two-day tournament to be at the top. And, like a lot of the teams heading there, he’s never put a lure in the lake.
“I’ve fished around it. I’ve heard everything’s going to be biting shallow or deep. So you’ll see a lot of slip bobbering and pulling crawler harnesses along shoreline breaks,” Stobb predicted.
Bob Sabo of Minot also will be there, underway with Merc 300 Verado-power. He mentioned Devils Lake’s algae bloom, which according to monitoring sites is beginning in East Bay.
“Normally around this time of year there can be a bloom but usually it will be in 25 feet of water and less,” he said. “I would guess most of the field will be in Pelican Bay and East Devils Lake, not so much in the main body.”
Despite that, he’s expecting great walleye fishing, as is the norm on Devils. “I think it’s going to be pretty good from every report I’ve heard. I haven’t heard quite as much about large fish, but I don’t see any problems with teams coming in with limits. I’m gonna bet that it’ll take, if people get on them, 45 to 50 pounds. You’ll have to bring in at least 25 a day” to be in contention.
And while he considers himself out of the running for Team Of The Year, he’s feeling pretty good about his chances of cashing a check. I’m feeling comfortable on it, so we’re going to give it a whirl. Devils is one lake you can do anything and everything on. Jigging, Jigging Raps, cranks and live bait. I’ve been within 50 feet of a guy who’s pulling lead core next to another jigging and both were catching fish.
“Generally plastics there work better earlier in the year. Later it seems to be more live bait, and leeches are what I like to use,” he added.
Ok, North Dakota. This is for all the marbles.
Launch is at Woodland Resort on Friday and Saturday. Team registration and rules meeting is at 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 522 4th St. NE in Devils Lake, and boat inspection starts at 5:30 a.m. Friday at Woodland. You’ll get the “GO!” at 7 a.m., and first boats must be back in each day starting at 3 p.m., with standings and awards each day starting at 5:30 p.m. at Woodland Resort. Good luck, all teams!
Follow it all via Garmin Fish & Hunt on our Facebook page. Visit our website for information on all AIM tournaments and how to register for any AIM event.
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.