Here’s Where, How and What to See When AIM’s Weekend Walleye Series Warrior Boats  Shootout Comes To Montevideo, MN

So, you’ve heard AIM’s Warrior Boats National Shootout is coming to town. Sixteen teams comprising some of the best in the business of catching walleye. And they’re heading here.

So, where will they launch from, you ask? Where will the weigh-in show be and when, and how can you get in on the fun? And maybe even more important, can you meet the anglers and learn from them, and then watch as one team walks away with a Warrior Boats/Yamaha motor combo worth more than $50,000?

You sure can. That’s what AIM is all about, said its National Tournament Director Denny Fox. “AIM tournaments are geared towards teaching locals how, so when AIM’s teams leave, anyone can head out onto the same water and in the same spots, and perhaps catch the same fish they did, because of AIM’s unique Catch-Record-Release™ format,” Fox said.

All fish caught in AIM tournaments are measured, photographed and released back into the water within minutes. No fish are kept. It virtually ensures their survival, so after you learn the tips and tricks the pros used to catch them, you can catch them too, he explained.

Here’s how you can participate in the tournament action, and rub shoulders with some of the best walleye anglers in the country, starting with this rundown of what will happen and where.

Sunday, May 24

All teams arrive in town to prepare. If you see a team member, easily identified by their boats, make them feel at home.

Monday, May 25

On Memorial Day, you may not be working, but the 32 AIM fishermen will be. They’ll start the day at 6 a.m. to pre-fish Lac Qui Parle. This is hard work, as teams will be on the water, many until sunset, picking out potential hot spots to go back to, Fox said. They’ll follow that schedule until Thursday, but Wednesday will be special for anyone who fishes, whether you’re an aspiring pro, or content to be a weekend water warrior.

Wednesday, May 27

Today is your chance to talk fishing with the best. After they get off the water, join all the pro teams starting at 5 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Montevideo to meet, shake hands and get to know your favorites and talk fishing. Food also will be available for sale, and Warrior Boats principal sponsor of the Shootout, will have many of its craft on display. You also can pick the spot you’ll want to be near the stage for the daily weigh-in show both tournament days.

Thursday, May 28

It’s the last day of pre-fishing. All teams must be off the water with boats on trailers by 2 p.m. The rules meeting—for teams only—starts at 6 p.m.

Friday, May 29

Its show time, folks. Teams will start arriving at Jeff Randall’s Milan Beach Resort for the 6 a.m. check-in, and all are welcome to come watch as the boats are put into the water. A Color Guard will present the Colors and the National Anthem will play at 6:45 a.m. At 7 a.m., teams will head onto the water for the first day. They will be due back starting at 3 p.m. to turn in their packets including fish photos and scoring cards.

At 6 p.m., head to the American Legion Hall for the first of two big daily weigh-in shows that will culminate in announcing Day One’s leaders.

Saturday, May 30

Repeat Day One. Check in will be at 6 a.m. at Randall’s and boats return to check-in starting at 3 p.m.

At 6 p.m., join the crowd to join in the excitement and anticipation of one team walking away with that new Warrior V1898DC hung with a 150hp Yamaha motor, a package worth $50,000.

If you can’t make it in person, “like” AIM’s Facebook site to updates as soon as they are available. If you still want to see the weigh-in drama and don’t want to become a Facebook member, simply go to www.aimfishing.com and look for the Facebook feed on the right side of the page. Click on it and it will give you full-screen access to the page without joining.

“Either way, we’ll keep you up to date on the fun, but to really experience what we have in store, you have to see it first-hand and come to the show at the American Legion,” Fox said. You’ll witness a great video and musical production as each team is welcomed onto the stage, its score and photos of fish will be displayed on a large video screen, and you’ll hear how they caught them in their quest to be the best on Lac Qui Parle.

Then, you can go out on May 31, and see if you can best them, and maybe decide right there to try your hand at entering an AIM tournament yourself. Why not?

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.                      AIM Supporting Sponsors: Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Starcraft Marine,  Amsoil, Navionics, Powrtran, Power Pole, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Off Shore Tackle, Team Lodge, National Fleet Graphics, Gemini Sport Marketing, The City of Oconto, Eagle Bay Marina and Eagles Landing Casino, Montevideo MN Chamber of Commerce, Randall’s Milan Beach Resort