Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp USA and Warrior Boats LLC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 10, 2016

Contact: Denny Fox, 920-505-0122

Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™)

Redtails, crawlers, or leeches on Leech? AWWS Minnesota Warrior Boats/Musky House Open will test what will take it on Sunday

At least 35 pounds. That’s one prediction of what it will take to win Sunday’s AIM Weekend Walleye Series Warrior Boats/Musky House Marine Open on walleye-filled Leech Lake, Minnesota.

For one, while slot and catch limits apply to catch-and-keep anglers on this unique system, AIM’s unique Catch-Record-Release™ system trumps that, so the 100-boat field heading out of Walker City Park, will be filling their cards with ‘gators that have brought  back Leech into walleye angler sites as one of the state’s premier fisheries.

One of those making the journey this week is Wisconsin’s Adam Andersen, who grew up fishing in Minnesota, and who Leech’s walleye have feared for about the last six years. And, if that name sounds familiar, you’re right. He’s the son of David Andersen, co-owner of Warrior Boats. He of course, runs a Warrior, a 2090 tiller, pushed by a 250 Evinrude.

“The last few years the lake has been pretty good,” Andersen says. “As far as winning weights go, going on past years here, I would expect it to be 35 pounds or bigger for five fish.” And, what’ll they come on?

His guess is that most will be using one of three types of ‘eye candy: leeches, redtail chubs, or depending on the weather, spinners or crankbaits.

“If the water temperature is above 65, spinners and crawlers could be the way to go,” he said. Midweek air temperatures were heading into the 70s.

While the shallower main lake produces well, it’s far deeper Walker Bay that could be the place, too, Added Andersen, who’s fished all the Minnesota qualifiers, and the last two AIM/Warrior Boats National Championships.

“That depends on the water temperature. Walker is 100-some feet deep (officially 156), and if the temperature is warm and fish are there, usually that’s a given for a big-fish spot. But you can’t ever count out the main body. It’s like fishing two separate bodies of water.

“You can rig redtails and leeches on both. On the main part you’re fishing kind of shallower and in Walker, you can fish break lines that in the width of a boat will drop 6 to 8 feet,” Andersen said. “In Walker, I would just rig, the simplest method, just a sinker with a lead and a hook.”

Entrant Dan Swenson from Deer River, Minnesota, calls Leech his home water, and thinks that with the return of warm weather, boats will be spread out, and able to use whatever technique the user feels comfortable with.

“I think a lot of people will find fish. You’ll see a lot of guys who are doing a lot of rigging, trolling with lead core in Walker, and you’ll probably still see guys pitching jigs. Doc (Bruce “Doc” Samson, who won here last year, and the year before) probably did a little bit of corking.”

“One thing that’s interesting about Leech is, someone could be rigging, another could be spinner fishing, another could be trolling cranks and all might be working because it’s such a big water body.”

Swenson is in his third year fishing AIM tournaments, and loves C-R-R. “That’s the best part about it. Handling a fish quickly, so the next person can catch it down the road, and you’re also fishing for the biggest fish, so an angler gets to catch the best and preserve the fishery on top of it,” he said.

The tournament rules meeting takes place Saturday at American Legion Post 134 in Walker. All boats will leave on Sunday morning from Walker City Park. The awards ceremony also will take place at the park.

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, Navionics, Powrtran, Power-Pole, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Off Shore Tackle, Team Lodge, Vibrations Tackle, Pro Chattrr, National Fleet Graphics, Gemini Sport Marketing, 4 Bears Casino North Dakota.