Ranger Pro Robert Bruegger Wins NWT Tour Event on Lake Winnebago
Category: News Release
Jun 8th, 2016 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Jun 8th, 2016 at 12:00 AM
Ranger Pro Robert Bruegger Wins NWT Tour Event on Lake Winnebago
River angler executes solid trolling tactic on lake for win
FLIPPIN, ARK. (June 6, 2016) Ranger Boats Pro Robert Bruegger won the Cabela’s National Walleye Tour event at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Lake Winnebago. The angler’s two-day total of 42.53 pounds netted a combined $87,235 including a fully rigged Ranger 620FS with 250 HP Evinrude outboard.
In the last 10 years Bruegger has made a name for himself as a river fisherman. With the river packed with anglers, Bruegger decided to forgo the crowd and fish the lake both days instead.
“The river was our number two spot,” said Bruegger. “The lake produced well for me on day one and that’s where I started day two. I didn’t want to go and fish with the crowd.”
Thunderstorms slowed down the bite considerably on day one. Bruegger only netted five legal fish during the first day. In this no-cull tournament, NWT anglers can keep seven fish and weigh the top five. Bruegger’s five-fish limit of 24.61 pounds gave him a 3.32-pound lead over the closest pro competitor.
“I just kept grinding. They were spread out,” said Bruegger. “It was one here and one there. Overall, it was pretty slow.”
Day two brought more stable weather but eventually rain fell and set off an intense bite for Bruegger.
“At 8:30 that morning I got a 17-incher, which I put in the box,” said Bruegger. “At 9:45, we caught a 16-incher and that went in too. Then the bite slowed. At about 11 a.m., I was preparing to run to the river when it just started pouring rain. All of a sudden, the bite turned on.”
Bruegger went on to boat a 26-, 25-, and 18-incher for a day two total of 17.92 pounds. His two-day total of 42.53 pounds bested the second place by 2.43 pounds. By participating in Ranger Cup and Evinrude contingency programs, the angler’s first-place boat and motor package was upgraded to a Ranger 620FS with 250 HP Evinrude outboard.
The angler credited sticking to his plan and his Ranger boat as the keys to his success on Lake Winnebago.
“For trolling, my Ranger sits in the water and tracks well,” said Bruegger. “It’s got great boat control for finer adjustments. Although we didn’t run far in this event, a Ranger handles rough water better during longer runs.”
Bruegger plans to fish the remainder of the NWT schedule, which will visit Green Bay for the final regular-season event and wrap up on Lake Oahe in South Dakota.
About Ranger Boats
Headquartered in Flippin, Ark., Ranger Boats is the nation’s premier manufacturer of legendary fiberglass and aluminum fishing boats, which include series of bass, multi-species, fish ‘n play, waterfowl utility and saltwater boats. Founded in 1968 by Forrest L. Wood, Ranger Boats continues its commitment to building the highest-quality, strongest-performing boats on the water. For more information, go to RangerBoats.com.