2024 PMTT MERCURY MARINE SUMMER CHALLENGE: TOURNAMENT RECAP

Jun 11th, 2024 by Chris Munchow

Modified Jun 11th, 2024 at 11:31 AM

26^th SEASON – 2^nd QUALIFIER – HOSTED BY LIGWOOD, LLC – MADISON CHAIN OF LAKES, WI. JUNE 8^TH & 9^TH, 2024

The Professional Musky Tournament Trail made its second stop of the season with the Mercury Marine Summer Challenge on the Madison Chain of Lakes, Madison, WI. June 8^th & 9^th. Nearly 200 of the nation’s top musky anglers from twelve different states converge into the town of Madison to compete in this event. With the early spring and lots of rain, the anglers were hoping the frontal conditions moving in would help turn the musky fishing on from an unusually slow early season action on the chain so far.

Mark Lijewski from Minocqua, WI and Jason Mullen of Lake Tomahawk, WI teamed up for this tournament season and were the only team to double up in the tournament under tough conditions. “It was all kind of crazy, because of the tough fishing we were just fishing for bites. One that might help us qualify for the Recon Boats World Championship” stated Lijewski.

With fronts moving in and out all tournament long, air and water temps around 70 degrees and everything from cloudy drizzle, to bluebird and gusty winds, Lijewski and Mullen were just focusing on getting on the board. “We literally fished for hours on the first day hoping for a change or a window and the slow fishing to open up,” stated Mullen. Lijewski and Mullens set themselves up to be throwing natural colored soft rubber swim baits off some deep break lines when there was a small pickup in action. We went from having nothing to netting two muskies in under ten minutes and had several others going’” stated Lijewski.

Luckily for Lijewski and Mullens, the fishing got even tougher on day two and their day one lead was enough to give them the win. They not only left town with the first-place hardware, they also captured the Recon Boats $1,000 first place bonus, the Thorne Brothers bonus and the TTAP bonus to take home $20,000 in prize money!

2^nd Place: Rob Kahl of Menomonie, WI. and Corey Pederson of Wheeler, WI. had the biggest fish of the tournament coming in at 49.75”. Like most that were successful this past weekend, they were also throwing soft rubber baits off deep break lines when the big fish ate. The big musky kept them in second place and they took home over $6,800 in cash.

3^rd Place: Jason Summers of Centerville, MN and Dan Wojtusik of Eagle River, WI were also on the big fish as they boated the top fish of day two at 46”. They were also throwing natural colored soft rubber baits but more so over the main lake basin relating schools of baitfish and took home $4,000 in prize money. to

4^th Place: Tim Barker and Shazana Hardy both from Maple Grove, MN. took third with a heavy 43” musky they caught trolling windblown shorelines with weighted crank baits. Rounding out the top 5 is the team of Bryan Wiitala of Rib Lake, WI. and Heather Acker of Stetson, WI. They boated a 42.50” musky while trolling crankbaits down wind-blown shorelines just off the breaks.

PMTT Tournament Director, Tim Widlacki, acknowledged the Trail’s deep appreciation to our many outstanding sponsors, for both their continuing support and the important part they have played and are playing now in our growth over the past 26 years as America’s 1^st and only; truly National Professional Musky Circuit. Leading the way with new, challenging, and innovative formats, featuring many of America’s top musky fishing destinations. Special thanks to our Q-2 Event Sponsor Mercury Marine and our good friends at Ligwood, LLC for hosting the PMTT in Madison. Also, the Official Boat & World Championship title sponsor Recon Boats, Thorne Brothers, Lief Labs, Sovereign Resources, Musky Hunter and to all of our wonderful Hosts and Site Partners for their support; Morehead Tourism, Ramada Inn, Green Mill, Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and our entire family of Contributing & Associate Sponsors. Please let them know how much you appreciate what they do whenever you get the chance… show them some Musky Love, returning their support when you can… they are a vital part of our growing PMTT Family.

TTAP Bonus Big Fish Contingency Award – Rob Kahl & Corey Pederson – 49.75”

TTAP Bonus Top Team Contingency Award – Mark Lijewski & Jason Mullen

Saturday’s PMTT BIG FISH Award – Rob Kahl & Corey Pederson – 49.75” – $500

Sunday’s PMTT BIG FISH Award – Jason Summers & Dan Wojtusik 46” – $500

MHM BIG FISH – Stuart & Sheri Sorenson – 39.5”

FINAL RESULTS – 12 Musky up to 49.75”

DAY-1 Total – 9 Musky Registered

DAY-2 Total – 3 Musky Registered