Propst Jr. Takes PWT Lead at Bay De Noc
Category: Tournament
Aug 23rd, 2006 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Aug 23rd, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Bob Propst, Jr. grabbed the day one lead in the Optima/Realtree Pro-Am on Bay de Noc at Escanaba, Michigan. The Iowa angler won earlier this year, and has netted $68,794 so far on the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail this season. Propst, like many of the anglers fishing the final event of the season, trolled south of Escanaba for 26.66 pounds. Pros and their amateur/co-angler partners trolled crankbaits or spinners across the vast expanses of Bay de Noc water. They keyed on forage they saw on their Lowrance electronics or near the various rock “humps and reefs.” Some of the walleyes were high in the water column; others were close to the bottom. The final two days take place Thursday and Friday, Aug. 24 and 25, with the weigh-in ceremonies at the Escanaba Municipal Marina. The stage action starts at 3 p.m. On Friday, the year-end awards will recognize the winners, and fans will learn their specific tactics. The Tommy Docks Champion will win $5,000. The race leader going into the tournament was Ron Gazvoda, Lakewood, Col., but he zeroed on day one. Tom Gatzke, Merrill, Wis., who was in third place in the Regional series presented by MotorGuide, now leads on the strength of a 25.56-pound catch. His 5-fish limit was only a pound behind Propst. Rookie pro Pat Neu, Forestville, Wis., captured the third place position with 23.90 pounds. Past PWT Champion Mark Brumbaugh, Arcanum, Ohio, is in fourth with 23.38 pounds, and Todd Riley, Amery, Wis., is in fifth with 22.14 pounds.The Coleman Big Fish was landed by pro Kim “Chief” Papineau, Escanaba, and his amateur/co-angler partner Steve Koepp, West Bend, Wis.Their heavyweight 10.06-pounder could be worth $2,000, if it holds. Papineau, a 15-year PWT touring pro, was set to fish all eight PWT tournaments, but health issues forced him to recuperate all spring and summer, but catching the big fish of the day proves he’s back. Ray Kiel, Bowling Green, MO, fished with Propst and took the lead in the amateur/co-angler standings. The amateur winner tows home a Lund walleye boat powered by a Mercury outboard, a $15,000 prize. Photos, standings and scores are featured on the PWT website, www.professionalwalleyetrail.com. During the afternoon weigh-ins, scores are posted immediately as anglers cross the stage on the Mercury Real-Time Leader Board. The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America’s leading producer of targeted media. PWT promotional partners include: Mercury Marine, Lund, The Outdoor Channel, Berkley, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Lowrance, MinnKota, Trilene, Frenzy, Blue Fox, Powerbait, Johnsonville Brats, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, GULP!, Coleman, Storm, Tommy Docks, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, E-Village, Kwik Pfyt, Raymarine, Rapala, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Gerbing’s Heated Clothing, Aqua-Vu, Plano, Stowmaster.net, Navionics, Yellow Bird, Beckman, Drift Control, Gemini Sport Marketing, Yo-Zuri , Reef Runner and the Delta Chamber of Commerce, 906.786.2192 and the Bay de Noc Convention & Visitors Bureau, 906.789.786