Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp USA and Warrior Boats LLC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 8, 2016
Contact: Denny Fox, 920-505-0122
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™)
The ‘Devils’ in the details…and the walleye are in Devils, waiting for Sunday’s AWWS Warrior Boats/Woodland Marine Open
Sunday’s twin AIM Weekend Walleye Series qualifiers in neighboring Minnesota and North Dakota have one detail in common, say those who will be on the water in both states Sunday: anything and everything that can be, will be, thrown at these fish, and they’re ready also to hit just about anything and everything.
Take North Dakota’s Devils Lake. Held back by a dam, it’s a 70-mile-long monster with walleye water from 70 feet deep to 20, and obstacles to boot, says Spencer Deutz, an import from Moorhead, MN, who’ll be on the water Sunday with his partner, wife Carley.
There will be fish all over for all presentations. Why not. We’re in Midwest mid-summer, and that means all bets are on here for Devils ‘eyes that spend most of their time gorging on freshwater shrimp and perch, and a lure or four, too.
It may also be a first for Devils, Deutz said. This, AWWS Warrior Boats/Woodland Marine Open is probably the first major Catch-Record-Release™ tournament ever on the lake. And, with AIM’s initial visit, the fish are very cooperative, he said.
“There are a lot of fish right now in Devils Lake, and they’re fat, too. So if you catch a 23-incher here they’re fat from eating so much shrimp, so you can take a 23 here versus a 23 in Minnesota or Wisconsin, and it may be a half-pound heavier. So, this first tournament will actually be pretty fun,” Deutz said.
Those fish also will have plenty of spots to hide, he said. From flooded farmland and submerged culverts, to sunken roadbeds and railroad tracks.
However the last few years, he said, have seen the lake’s level drop about three feet, meaning some areas that were boat-friendly in the past aren’t so much now.
“The area up in Pelican Lake is where the train tracks are actually pretty dangerous because boats can’t get over stuff like they used to,” he continued.
However some parts of the lake are more welcoming, and also hold plenty of fish. “On one side it can get about 70 feet deep, but up in Pelican lake on the northwest, it can be 20 at best.”
But when the fleet leaves Woodland Resort, anything goes, he said. “The fish here are in really good shape, and you can catch them now pitching Flicker Shads in the weeds in 2 to 4 feet of water, and also trolling lead core in 20 to 30 feet of water, and pulling bottom bouncers. You can fish this however you want to fish right now,” Deutz said.
He’s predicting 24 to 26 pounds of ‘eyes will win it. Possibly 27. “This time of year, if you catch 20 to 22 pounds, you’d have a good chance but since we can catch virtually an unlimited number because of C-R-R, the weights will go up.”
Saturday’s team meeting takes place at the Elks Lodge in Devils Lake, with the start on Sunday at Woodland Resort on the lake. The awards ceremony also takes place at the resort.
This is the final qualifier event prior to the North Dakota Championship Aug. 5-6 on Lake Sak, headquartered at 4 Bears Casino.
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.