Allen and Swenson Are PMTT Champions
Category: article
Nov 7th, 2006 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Nov 7th, 2006 at 12:00 AM
ALLEN & SWENSON WIN PMTT RANGER BOATS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP The Fox Chain of Lakes and the village of Antioch, in northeastern Illinois, were the focus of the angling communitys attention the weekend of November 4th& 5thas the Professional Musky Tournament Trail rolled into town for the 2006 RANGER BOATS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, to bestow two of Musky fishings most highly regarded honors, the Ranger Boats World Championship crown and PMTT TOP GUN AWARD. Of the more than 500 top esox anglers, representing 28 states and Canada, who compete in this challenging series of 4 national qualifiers, only 50 get an invitation and those that do earn the right to be here eagerly want to prove that they are indeed the best of the best! Defending 2005 TOP GUN Title holders, Minnesotas Brad Swenson of Pillager and Kirk Allen of Emily, did just that in one of the most exciting finishes in the PMTTs eight year history by safely releasing a 31- & 39- inch pair in the last hour of day one and the event $500 Big Fish of 44-inches in the waning moments of day two, adding the 2006 Ranger Boats World Championship Title, $1,694 cash and a 2007 RANGER 619VS – RangerTrail Trailer – 150 Mercury Optimax to an impressive and growing list of accomplishments they have strung together the past few seasons that includes 3rd Place in the 2006 Top Gun points race for an additional $800!”Frustration was the key for us in this one, shared Swenson half jokingly. We were trying everything in these post frontal conditions without seeing a single fish in four days of dropping water and air temperatures and now we were down to the last couple of hours of tournament day one. Marking fish low that wouldnt come up, we decided to try a jigging presentation to put it ‘right in their faces’ and BAMM Fish On! A second legal inside of fifteen minutes had us back on track in a hurry.” Even though the bite was relatively slow as is often typical this time of year, 6 fish Saturday and 5 on Sunday, these anglers know that quality fish can be triggered throughout the day and with all of the leaders within striking distance of each other the pressure was palpable. “First thing Sunday morning we saw our lead disappear when another team got their second fish, shared partner Allen. Then we started seeing a few nice marks on the graph late in the day in 17-to-22 feet over some hard bottom areas, got that black & white J-Mac/silver flake shaker tail jig down there “with a snap-rest-snap” retrieve and there she was! Everybody on the water probably heard me yelling, Kirk laughed. I knew it was a real nice fish when she ate the jig and a few moments later we had a fat 44-incher in the bag for a triple and the most exciting win of our career!”2nd Place and $6,424 plus another $1,606 for 2nd Place in the Top Gun Race went to John Steckel & Randy Machtan of Marshfield, WI with a 38- & 34-inch double. 3rd Place and $3,212 went to Gary Lehnherr of Madison, WI and partner Duane Dillon from KY. for a heavy 44-incher that bit an 18-inch Legend Plow late Sunday.4th Place and $2,908 was taken by Gregg Thomas of Frenchburg, KY and partner Dave Grochowski of Fairfield, OH who registered Saturdays 41- inch $500 “Big Fish” award winner slowly jig/trolling modified Mag Bull Dawgs propelling them to the points lead; winning, what for many pros is the most highly prized honor of all, the most prestigious award in all of Musky fishing, the 2006 PMTT TOP GUN AWARD for yet another $4,014 and #1 starting position at every PMTT event in 2007!5th Place and $1,606 for their 39-inch release, also taken on a Bull Dawg, went to Matt Notermann & Alex Fratzke of Shakopee, MN. Jason Parsons of Ranger Boats was present to speak on behalf of the sponsors of this event. “New model innovations, new facilities, Ranger Cup Program and long time relationship in support of and helping to grow the PMTT are proof positive that Ranger Boats is way more than just the best built fiberglass boat available today, they are our partners in ensuring a brighter angling future for all of us”, stated Parsons. Tournament Director/Founder Tim Widlacki thanked all of the PMTTs incredibly fantastic sponsors, especially the fine folks at Ranger Boats who not only sponsor the Championship, but also have been here from the very beginning and who’s continued support has brought us to were we are today. Mercury Marine, The Village of Antioch Illinois, Musky Hunter Magazine, Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, Heckel’s Marine, Keyes Outdoors Television, Rollie & Helens Musky Shop, Extreme Muskie Expos, Fortune Bay Casino, Crash’s Landing, Morehead Tourism Commission and the Wisconsin Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. Please let these fine folks know that you appreciate their promotional efforts in support of freshwaters most challenging fish and those extreme anglers who chase her on the first, best and only truly National Professional Musky Circuit the PMTT! To obtain more information on becoming a member of the 2007 PMTT, or to view event photo album, please visit them on the Web @ www.promusky.com or call PMTT Director, Tim Widlacki @: 815-478-4351 2006 Ranger Boats World ChampionshipFox Chain of Lakes at Antioch, IllinoisNovember 4th & 5th 20061st Place Kirk Allen & Brad Swenson 31 “, 39 ” & 44″ Sun/Event Big Fish & Ranger 619VS2nd Place Randall Machtan & John Steckel 34″ & 38 “3rd Place Gary Lehnherr & Duane Dillon – 44″4th Place Dave Grochowski & Gregg Thomas 41 ” Saturday Big Fish5th Place Matt Notermann & Alex Fratzke 39 “PMTT TOP GUN – Team of the Year Winners1st Place Dave Grochowski & Gregg Thomas 485 points2nd Place Randall Machtan & John Steckel 480 points3rd Place Kirk Allen & Brad Swenson 349 points