For Immediate Release, Aug. 10, 2015
Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp. USA and Warrior Boats:
The stage is set for the Great Lakes AIM AWWS Starcraft Marine Championship on Saginaw Bay
It’s all down to one.
Teams who’ve campaigned since the first event in the inaugural season of AIM Great Lakes Division, which began on a blustery April 19 on the Detroit River, will meet again this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14 and 15 on Michigan’s Saginaw Bay for all the marbles, at the AIM Weekend Walleye SeriesStarcraft Marine Championship.
The division’s first annual championship tourney, sponsored by the great folks at Saganing Eagles Landing Casino, and Eagle Bay Marina, where teams will launch and return to, have set the plate for a great event, near Standish, MI. Now, it’s up to Mother Nature to cooperate with the weather and complete the deal. Both the casino and marina—within a few miles of each other—are ready, says marketing director Fritz Kuhlman.
“Eagle Bay Marina, Migizi Economic Development Company and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan are excited and pleased to welcome the AIM Weekend Walleye Series Division championship to the waters of Saginaw Bay. Located in the heart of the best walleye fishing in the world, Eagle Bay Marina is ready to provide the perfect setting to an exciting weekend of fishing. We look forward to our visit from these gifted sportsmen and women,” he said.
All three also are looking forward to hosting a tournament that will not deplete the resource, thanks to AIM’s Catch-Record-Release™ format that ensures that all fish are caught, measured, photographed, and within minutes released to the waters they came from.
Here is the low-down on the bay, the venues, and the schedule:
First, you can still enter. Teams have until this Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time, to sign up for the event on Saginaw Bay, where an estimated two million walleye are prowling.
Most years, by late summer, many of the walleye will have moved to the outer bay, but most recent fishing reports show the inner bay south of the marina still holds good numbers of fish. Outer regions, especially near the Charity Islands, plus the deeper parts of the bay near the shipping channel, north and east of the marina, respectively, also are producing well.
“That’s one of the beauties of having Eagle Bay Marina as our host,” said AIM National Tournament Director Denny Fox. “It’s right in the center of the western bay’s coast, a convenient location for teams to head anywhere to find the fish that will win not only this tournament, but gain them entry into the AIM Warrior Boats shootout championship next May.”
Not only is the marina a winner, but so is the casino. A full-service campground, great restaurant, and of course, gaming only three miles from the marina, are also some of the draws there, Fox said.
Come Friday morning, after mandatory boat inspection between 5:30 and 6:45 a.m., boats will leave in two flights, at 7 and 7:15 a.m from the Eagle Bay Marine in a boat procession. Teams must return to the marina at 3, and 3:15 p.m., to hand in their scorecards and photo cards each day.
After the fish are tallied on Friday, first day standings will be announced at 5 p.m. at the Saganing Community Center, 2690 Worth Road, near the casino. The top 5 will come to the stage and talk about their day. ”Saturday’s ceremonies will begin at 5:30 PM and have a photo show showcasing the walleyes the anglers registered during the day. We will then crown the champion. At the end of it all, the AMSOIL Team of the year award will be announced which will carry with it free entries for the 2016 season’.
Fox said that the 2 day tournament will offer 90 percent payback of the entry fees to the top 15 percent of entrants. Depending on boat numbers, this could prove to be a very lucrative day to the winners.
“We’ve opened up this championship to any AIM member, and if you’re not one yet, it’s easy to join, and get ready to participate in the future of tournament fishing,” Fox concluded.
Go to www.aimfishing.com and click on the Great Lakes Registration link, it will walk you through the process.
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