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New For 2014: www.artifishalleyes.com

Category: npaa

 Mar 5th, 2014 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Mar 5th, 2014 at 12:00 AM

A new venture for two walleye pros creating the Next Generation; Beyond Bait.

Fargo, ND. – Two long time professional walleye anglers have teamed up to create Artifishalleyes, a new practice they will employ whether fishing for paychecks or pride.

New for 2014, NPAA Members Corey Heiser #373 and Troy Morris #166 have signed a notarized contract to NOT use live bait for the entire 2014 season as they compete in walleye tournaments together across the country.

They have created an organization called Artifishalleyes to help educate and teach our youth and fellow anglers that artificial baits can be used competitively, even on those ‘so called’ live bait waters, and help protect our water systems.

“We have been in the fishing industry for many years, and we have seen the invasion of ANS (Aquatic Nuisance Species) becoming widespread. ANS can cause severe and permanent damage to the lakes and rives they invade by reducing the abundance of native species and altering ecosystem processes. This destruction of the natural ecosystem is causing lakes and rivers to have less game fish and even rendering some lakes and rivers far less attractive to recreational anglers,” Heiser and Morris commented.

Even in those natural walleye fisheries not affected by ANS, walleye tournament fishing continues to be scrutinized because the possible transportation of ANS to these locations by live bait and the water that they came from.

Troy and Corey have agreed to produce numerous videos following their year on the Masters Walleye Circuit Trail. They will be fishing the following MWC Events:
Pierre, SD Lake Sharpe
Ortonville, MN Big Stone Lake
Oconto WI, Bay of Green Bay
Cass Lake, MN 

“We’ve picked varying types of water to fish tournaments, including some traditional live bait locations like Green Bay and Cass Lake, in order to show the effectiveness of artificial presentations.” Morris commented. “I have spent several years using both artificial and live bait and now is the time to commit to artificial.”

Morris and Heiser felt like the MWC was the perfect venue with their push towards artificial only events, hosting the Devils Lake event last year and both Red Wing and Spring Valley tournaments this year.

The duo will also fish two FM Walleye Club events that are historically dominated by the use of live bait:
Pelican Rapids, MN Pelican Lake
Lake Park, MN Big Cormorant

 “I’m extremely excited about fishing these western Minnesota waters. They are traditional Chub and Crawler fisheries. Many years, the biggest concern before the tournament is where to get Red Tails; it will be a relief to put together a presentation without them. Plus, Pelican Lake has zebra mussels, so it will be nice not to have to worry about proper disposal of the minnows used there.”, Heiser explained.

For more information about the exclusive use and presentations of artificial baits please “like” their Facebook page or visit the web site at www.artifishalleyes.com.