Brovosky and Zuelke Claim 2005 PMTT Title
Category: press release
Oct 20th, 2005 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Oct 20th, 2005 at 12:00 AM
A brightly colored kaleidoscope of fall foliage and unbroken deep-blue sky accompanied Indian summer-like weather in providing a near perfect “picture postcard” setting as North America’s Top 50 Pro Musky Teams gathered here on central Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Minnetonka, laying it all on the line October 15th & 16th to determine both the Professional Musky Tournament Trail’s 2005 RANGER BOATS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP and TOP GUN AWARD winners. Though having fished hard on their way to besting literally hundreds of teams from across the nation over the course of the year on way to earning this highly-coveted invitation, ‘Tonka’s suddenly stingy waters, relinquishing only 11 musky during this two-day event, ensured a truly championship effort would be required of this elite group of musky anglers and those teams eventually laying claim to these final honors and just such an effort was that displayed by local pro anglers Josh Brovosky of Crystal, MN and partner Troy Zeulke of nearby Watertown as they doubled up with hefty 43 and 44 -inch specimens … taking and holding a lead that netted them the 2005 RANGER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE and accompanying prize package that included a new RANGER 619 Fisherman / Rangertrail Trailer / 150 HP Mercury Opti Max and $1,000 cash! Applying a well-thought-out attack born of experience, good research and pre-fishing results to register two of the six musky released on day one, Josh an Troy stuck to a very specific game plan that utilized glide-type baits in very defined areas. We spent about nine days pre-fishing, focusing our attention a lot shallower than most of the field, isolating transition/edge locations with multiple complimenting factors such as hard-to-soft bottom close by a current break, shade line, weed-edge and deeper water, etc. and honestly had a pretty good idea where these two fish were, shared Josh. Troy and I felt that it would take three fish to hold the lead and when we pulled the bait through the open mouth of a biter today a fish we had moved multiple times and nicknamed Sparky, I was afraid it had cost us the title and I was going to have nightmare images of that fraction-of-a-second missed opportunity!Taking 2nd Place with an awesome 51-inch beauty that was the largest fish of the event Saturdays $500 Big Fish Award winner for a total of $6,580 Jade Petty & Todd Dahl from Madison, WI. Positioning their boat over the deeper breaks, casting a Big Joe to shallower water and retrieving back to the deep edge brought this Big Girl to the net. We found Tonka comparable to our home waters in Madison just bigger, stupider fish joked Petty, adding They sure seemed a lot smarter Sunday, when they could not score that all important second fish for the title. 3rd Place and Sunday’s $500 Big Fish Award winners totaling $3,540 with their 47-inch release, was hard earned by Brad Swenson of Pillager, MN. and Kirk Allen of Emily, MN. This made them an amazingly consistent 4-for-5 in PMTT competition this year while propelling them to the points lead; winning, what for many pros is the most highly prized honor of all, the 2005 TOP GUN – Team of the Year Title, an additional $3,800 check, yearlong bragging rights and #1 for the entire 2006 Trail! “Making sound decisions on the water and not being afraid to change your game plan “on-the-fly” are what make the difference”, said Brad. “After being skunked casting on the first day, Kirk and I made the move to trolling spinner baits along the mill foil breaks at about 3-1/2 mph. a move that paid big dividends for us!” 4th Place with a 46-incher taken on a black Baby Doc for $3,280 also Ranger Cup Award winners as the highest placing Ranger Boat owner for an additional $1,000 AND, registering fish in 3-of-5 events this year . taking 2nd Place TOP GUN honors and another $1,520 plus #2 for the entire 2006 season no surprise to any who have competed against them, Di Mindar of Aurora, IL and Terri DuBe from Walker, MN!! Proving once-and-for-all that this oft thought to be male-dominated sport is not; these ladies are opening a lot of eyes around the industry. I am living a dream, said Diana. Terri is one of the very best musky anglers I have ever had the pleasure to fish with and we just seem to be getting better at working together every time out. To finish second in the TOP GUN standings, especially with this high power group of guys, is such an honor for us, shared partner Terri, It was an unexpected surprise and something we will never forget.Tim Widlacki, PMTT Tournament Director, congratulated those contestants able to earn a berth at the Championship while hinting of bigger and better things to come in the 2006 season. Widlacki also presented a check for $1,000 to Greg Wells, President of Muskies Inc., to be applied to the upcoming Muskie Symposium being held in Indianapolis, IN this October. Pres. Wells stated that this is yet another example of the care and concern demonstrated by the PMTT for this valuable resource that has given so much to so many. I see in this room a group of folks who are setting the standard for the future, not only of competitive angling, but bringing a focus from the general public to bear on just how incredibly valuable and truly exciting this amazing fish is and can be. Thank you all on behalf of Muskies Inc. and musky anglers everywhere!Widlacki closed the festivities by first thanking Ranger Promotions Rep Barry Day, on hand to deliver the Ranger Boats 1st Place prize package and $1,000 Ranger Cup check, and of course each and every one of our host site and primary sponsors. ” Without whose continuing support none of this would be possible today. Let them know that you appreciate their generous efforts supporting North America’s outdoors heritage, legacy & life-style”. Special thanks go out to these fine folks: Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Musky Hunter Magazine, Heckel’s Marine, Crash’s Landing, Extreme Muskie Expo’s, North Country Adventure Television and all associate and contributing sponsors, as well as Host Site Sponsors; Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, Hayward Country Inns & Suites, Eagle’s Nest Resort, Medina Center and of course the Morehead Tourism Commission.Learn from the Pros … be a part of the action … and help to show your support for Musky fishing. Anyone can join the PMTT and enter this fast-growing and addictively exciting competition … and everybody,as always,is warmly invited to come out and join the fun. Do you have what it takes to be the next TOP GUN or Ranger World Champion?To register or obtain more information on the 2006 PMTT, any Qualifier or to view event photo album, please visit them on the Web @ www.promusky.com or call PMTT Director, Tim Widlacki @ 815-264-3228 *space is limited; Trail Team and single event reservations are being taken nowRANGER BOATS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPFINAL LEADER BOARDLAKE MINNETONKA, MN. OCTOBER 15TH & 16TH, 2005 1st Place: Troy Zuelke & Josh Borovsky 44 ” & 43 “2nd Place: Jade Petty & Todd Dahl: 51″3rd Place: Brad Swenson & Kirk Allen 47″4th Place: Diana Mindar & Terre Dube 46″5th Place: David & Donald Waddle 43 “6th Place: Ryan & Ryan 42 “7th Place: Buckmaster & Regenfuss 41 “8th Place: Keyes & Genson 40 “9th Place: Rozanski & Draeger 40 “10th Place: Carlson Sr. & Carlson Jr. 40 “2005 TOP GUN FINALSTeam of Year Brad Swenson / Kirk Allen – 601 points 2nd Place Diana Mindar / Terre Dube – 465 points 3rd Place Jim Carlson Sr. / Jim Carlson Jr – 462 points