For Immediate Release, July 1, 2015

 

Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp. USA and Warrior Boats:

 

 

 Lake Erie Shows Who’s Boss, Ending the AWWS “Starcraft Marine Open” Qualifier Before It Began

 

 

 

A storm turning shallow Lake Erie into a churning, chocolaty, river-flooding mess its entire length led to the cancellation of the 4th and final AIM Weekend Walleye Series Starcraft Marine Open qualifier of the year on Sunday, June 28 in Lorain, Ohio.

 

AIM’s Great Lakes Division Tournament Director Greg Warsow reluctantly made the call to cancel the event on a windy-rainy morning shortly after sun-up.

 

“There was a lot of discussion yesterday about the weather, and today it is blowing about 25 mph, worse than yesterday, so we called the tournament for safety reasons,” Warsow said.

 

National Tournament Director Denny Fox agreed.

 

“We never like to cancel events as the anglers have been looking forward to it for a long time. However, we take to the big lake with caution and always, it is safety first,” Fox said.

 

And for anyone who looked out over Lake Erie that morning from Lorain, there was no question. Waves whipped by gale-force winds crashed against the harbor jetties. Trees were being uprooted nearby and all rivers feeding the lake from Toledo east were in flood stage thanks to a storm that hooked back to Ohio’s Erie waters from the eastern seaboard. Many long-time area residents said they’d never seen anything like it.

 

Fortunately, AIM has a contingent plan in place for weather cancellations.

 

If a day is cancelled in the AWWS, all team numbers are put into a drawing for the prize money, Fox said. “We hand out the same 75 percent of the money but now we spread it out to 50 percent of the field. We do a blind draw so everyone has a chance at the biggest payout.”

 

Now the focus shifts to a little more than 45 days from now, when anyone has a shot at being a hero when the AWWS Great Lakes Division  Starcraft Marine Championship shoves off Aug. 15 and 16 on Saginaw Bay from Eagle Bay Marina near Standish, MI. AIM decided to open only this championship to all anglers to give anyone who wants to enter a chance at grabbing the spotlight.

 

“We want to open up the field for the newest of our three divisions so everyone, from weekend anglers who’ve sat around the family campfire after a successful day on the water saying ‘yeah, I can run with those guys,’ to pros and semi-pros, have a chance to sign up,” Fox said in announcing the rules change.

 

Stay tuned for more on what’s sure to be an exciting conclusion to AIM’s Great Lakes Division series, but please, Mother Nature, keep calm. We all had our fill in Lorain.

 

 

Contact: Denny Fox, AIM National Tournament Director, 920-505-0122; info@wordpress-1142496-4082033.cloudwaysapps.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.

 

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

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