National Guard FLW Walleye Tour Headed to Lake Oahe
OutdoorHub 07.05.12
When FLW visited Lake Oahe for the 2011 FLW Walleye Tour stop water levels were 8 to 10 feet higher than they currently are, air temperatures were not nearly as warm as they are now and it was a month later in the season. These factors will all play a role in setting a different stage for this year’s National Guard FLW Walleye Tour on Lake Oahe presented by Mercury as it gets underway July 12-14 for the third stop of the FLW Walleye Tour.
Hosted by the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce, the tournament will feature a full field of the world’s best walleye anglers in each of the pro and co-angler divisions. They will be casting for top awards up to $63,000 in the Pro Division and $10,500 in the Co-angler Division.
“I am very excited about the upcoming tournament on Lake Oahe,” said FLW Walleye Tour pro Ted Takasaki of Sioux Falls, S.D. “The reservoir is full of hungry, biting fish and there are going to be a ton caught. Catching limits is not going to be an issue. The issue is going to be catching the bigger, fatter fish.
“The walleyes seem to be skinnier this year,” continued Takasaki. “The tournament is always won with two over the 20-inch mark, but the key is going to be finding those fatter 18- to 19-inch slot fish.
“The water is about 8 to 10 feet lower than it was for last year’s tournament. The tops of trees are not going to be as deep as they were, and some may even be exposed now. For that reason, I think trolling crankbaits is going to come more into play this year. Other techniques that will work are going to be Lindy-rigging points with chubs, bottom bouncers for the slot fish and, of course, pulling spinners over the tops of trees.
“The great thing about Oahe is that you can catch fish doing just about anything. In this tournament you will see trolling, casting and rigging all the way from the North/South Dakota border to the dam.”
Anglers will take off from Spring Creek Resort & Deep Water Marina located at 28229 Spring Creek Place in Pierre at 7 each morning. Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Walmart located at 1730 North Garfield in Pierre beginning at 4 p.m.
Fans will be treated to the FLW Expo at Walmart on Saturday from noon-4 p.m. prior to the final weigh-in. The Expo includes the opportunity to interact with professional anglers, a trout pond, and interactive games and activities. The NPAA will be offering a free Youth and Family Fishing Clinic beginning at 2:30 p.m. Prizes, including rods & reels, will be given away after the clinic. All activities are free and open to the public.
FLW Walleye Tour pro anglers will be on hand to sign autographs, take pictures and talk fishing to fans of all ages prior to the event when Beck Motor Company, located at 1905 N. Garfield Ave., in Pierre hosts Chevy Pro Night Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Scheduled to appear are Jason Przekurat, Dean Arnoldussen, John Balla, Brian Brosdahl and 2011 FLW Walleye Tour Champion Dan Stier.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWOutdoors.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
