FLW Championship

[LMITOUT]

Day #1 is in the books and HSO's own mnfishinguy has a commanding lead on the co-angler side of the leader board. He drew Keith Kavajecz to fish with, one of the best in the business. How lucky is that!

Good luck the next two days, John.

[hanson]

I let John know all my secrets... I hope he reconsiders the underwear thing though. I got superstitious and wore the exact same clothes everyday. Got a little nasty by Day 3 but it worked out! LOL!

Go get 'em tomorrow John!

[Northlander]

Thats cool and good luck John! I hope you guys hit um hard.

[LMITOUT]

Looks like mnfishinguy was bumped down to 4th after today's weigh-in, but only 4 lbs out of first. Handlining with Shimota tomorrow!

[LMITOUT]

Are the weights zeroed now and the top 20 start fresh tomorrow?

[JohnMickish]

The weights do not zero, it is all cumulative. Looks like the fish under the bridge have all left the area. The water is dropping fast so that is changing the fishing everyday.

[LMITOUT]

Just missed taking the big check as co-angler. Last guy to weigh, and tournament leader Tommy Skarlis' co-angler, had a big basket to grab 1st place from mnfishinguy. Definitely a Rolaids moment! Thought he had it.

[hanson]

Man the weigh-in was exciting to watch. Was pulling for you John all the way thinking the two of us could go back to back. Would have been unreal!

I hope you took notes and can share some of Shimota's handlining secrets.

And I hope your wife likes her new handline reels.

My money is on Skarlis tomorrow. He's been incredible on that river.

[JohnMickish]

Thanks guys, it was an awsome experience. I'm not so sure that Tommys fish will be there in the morning. If they are gone, look out for Dean, bill and Dave to make a serious run to the top.

[LMITOUT]

Quote:

Tommy Skarlis of Waukon, Iowa, and co-angler Todd Dankert of Anoka, Minn., caught five walleyes weighing 17 pounds, 2 ounces Saturday to maintain the lead on the third day of the National Guard FLW Walleye Tour Championship on the Missouri River.

Dankert of Anoka, Minn., won the Co-angler championship title with a total of 15 walleyes weighing 58-12 and earning $7,000 for his efforts. He fished with OFF! pro Chris Gilman on day one, was then paired with David Andersen on day two and on day three he fished with Skarlis.

Skarlis’ three-day catch of 15 walleyes weighing 58-0 gives him a solid 4-pound, 14-ounce lead over his closest competitor in an event which started with the top 40 pros and 40 co-anglers from the 2011 FLW Walleye Tour season.

Pros are fishing for a top award of up to $70,000.

Rounding out the top 10 pros after the third day of the tournament:

2. Walmart pro Dean Arnoldussen, Appleton, Wis., 15 walleyes, 53-2

3. National Guard pro Bill Shimota, Lonsdale, Minn., 15 walleyes, 52-8

4. David Andersen, Amery, Wis., 15 walleyes, 51-8

5. EverStart pro Dan Stier, Mina, S.D., 14 walleyes, 50-6

6. OFF! pro Chris Gilman, Chisago City, Minn., 15 walleyes, 50-6

7. Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, Wis., 14 walleyes, 47-1

8. Kevin Carstensen, Merrill, Wis., 15 walleyes, 44-14

9. Tom Kemos, Oconomowoc, Wis., 15 walleyes, 44-13

10. National Guard pro Mark Courts, Harris, Minn., 15 walleyes, 43-14

Top 10 co-anglers:

“I never fished the Missouri River before this tournament,” said Dankert. “What an awesome fishery. It is healthy, full of fish and just unbelievable. I tell you what, as soon as I get back to where I am staying, I am going to wrap my hands in Band-aids. My hands are just tore-up, we caught so many fish.

“You just can't beat the week that I have had. I couldn't have picked better partners if I tried. I was paired with three of the best and I have to thank each and every one of them. I had a blast. I am thrilled, really thrilled,” he said.

Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers:

2. John Mickish, White Bear Lake, Minn., 14 walleyes, 55-1, $2,500

3. Tim Depooter, Rock Island, Ill., 15 walleyes, 53-10, $1,750

4. John Solek, Indianapolis, Ind., 15 walleyes, 51-11, $1,200

5. Don Shepard, Lowell, Mich., 14 walleyes, 50-11, $1,000

6. Tyrone Larson, Amherst, Wis., 15 walleyes, 50-11, $900

7. Jimmy Cox, Bono, Ark., 15 walleyes, 49-7, $800

8. Dave Smith, Saint Joseph, Minn., 15 walleyes, 44-9, $700

9. Jim Milewsky, Bondurant, Iowa, 15 walleyes, 44-5, $600

10. Lance Bainville, Mounds View, Minn.,

[JohnMickish]

Thanks guys, it was an awsome experience. I'm not so sure that Tommys fish will be there in the morning. If they are gone, look out for Dean, bill and Dave to make a serious run to the top.

I was part right, Tommy's fish where gone but Dan Steir's fish where there. He made a good jump and now is the 2011 FLW Walleye Tour Champion.

Way to go Dan!

[LMITOUT]

I watched the weigh-in this afternoon. Never saw that one coming!

[JohnMickish]

Steir and Skarlis where fishing the same fish differently. Steir has been using creek chubs and Skarlis was using Gulp!. I don't know if it was told or not, but Steir won the casino tournament last weekend fishing the same spot the same way. The bridge had been kicking out kicking out the larger fishin the system for a month or so now so it really wasn't a secret spot or anything. When we got there Thursday morning there where a couple of locals already there.

I have to wonder what they where thinking when all of these wrapped boats pulled up and where litterally touching each other fishing the same spot. For good or bad, the locals didn't stick around to long before they went to another spot.

[LMITOUT]

Yeah, a buddy cashed a check in the casino tourney and said it was bumper boats at the bridge so they went elsewhere and picked up 20+ lbs. The bridge definitely wasn't a secret.