PMTT Bemidji/Cass Lakes, MN Musky Hunter Magazine Late Summer Showdown
Category: article
Sep 2nd, 2021 by Keith Worrall
Modified Sep 2nd, 2021 at 12:18 PM
PMTT-MUSKYHUNTER MAGAZINE LATE SUMMER SHOWDOWN BEMIDJI & CASS LAKES, MN
HOSTED BY VISIT BEMIDJI & RUTTGER’S BIRCHMONT LODGE
Bob Osborne – PMTT MEDIA/PRESS RELEASE
The 2021 Professional Musky Tournament Trail’s 23rd regular season came to an exciting conclusion this past weekend as a near Full Field at 125 teams of the nation’s top tier competitive musky hunters excitedly gathered in the historic Northwoods Minnesota town of Bemidji. Northern Minnesota rightfully boasts of having some of the Country’s best Musky waters for both size and numbers and of those, given the innovative PMTT format, these Pros were going to be given the opportunity of splitting their considerable talents between both the Bemidji & Cass Lake systems…. And man did they deliver!
Anticipation was mounting in the days prior to Take Off as Cold front conditions: spotty rain, threat of T-storms, often strong winds & consistently overcast skies; offered the region a much-welcomed respite from the negative effects brought on by weeks of near drought, hot temperatures, coupled with low/dropping water levels on these ever-clearer water systems; and experienced competitors knew that this was just what the Doctor ordered.
1st Place Winners: Brothers Ty Sennett of Hayward, WI and Tait Sennet of Princeville, IL were coming into this event one of a small group having registered fish in all the previous Qualifiers and hoped to keep that streak alive heading into the RBWC on their home waters next month. Wasting little time getting down to business right out of the gate…. They went to work! First one early; then giving them a little more confidence of a solid day on the water came a second…. then came that much hoped for Tournament Day making third Musky! “We didn’t have much time to pre-fish but did mark some fish on side scan and went back to those areas day one and fished them.”, shared Ty.
Starting what was to become a rare ‘Wire-to-Wire” Win… with three fish on day one and another on the second day giving them a four fish total up to 42.50” … and enough to see them bringing Home $17,500 cash! Explaining the brother’s winning tactics, Ty said, “We were just throwing Musky Mayhem baits and burning the crap outta them. Crank ‘em till your arms hurt… then go faster. Color wasn’t even an issue really… just speed!”
2nd Place: Marcus “Torgy” Torgerson & Jimmy Klink of Eau Clair, WI. Have, not so quietly, cobbled together a notable pair of back-to-back PMTT Qualifying performances. Following a 5th Place & Event Big Fish outing in Eagle River / Three Lakes with an impressive hard-charging Day 2 effort, earning the confident pair 2nd Place honors. “Contrary to what most were doing, we were throwing Top Water.”, said Torgerson. They netted a beauty that measured 49.25 to go along with a 42.25” & 38” that vaulted them into 2nd for a total of $4,360.
3rd Place: Clayton Spiess & Nick Amorose, a Trail Team out of Eagle River, WI have been steadfastly grinding away all Season. They boated three muskies up to 41.25” on rubber and took home $3.200.
Coming in 4th Place was the team of Nicklas Kushernerik & Marc DiMatteo with two fish up to 45.50” on bucktails. Rounding out the Top 5 is the team of Tom Rizzio & Jeff Blanck with three fish up to 38.25” on bucktails and jerkbaits.
The 2021 PMTT TOP GUN Standings are very tight as we head to Chippewa Flowage with only 11 pts. Separating the Top Three Places who have ALL Registered Fish in each Qualifier:
1. 453pts – Clayton Spiess & Nick Amorose
2. 445pts – Dan & Mike Raczynski
3. 442pts -Ty & Tait Sennet
The 2021 RANGER BOATS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP is a three-day event being hosted by LAKE CHIPPEWA RESORT ASSOCIATION & Headquarted @ TRELANDS RESORT on the Chippewa Flowage this coming September 24th, 25th & 26th, 2021. Only the TOP 40 TEAMS as determined by Qualifying Points are Invited to compete in one of the most challenging events in all of Musky Fishing
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 23 years as America’s 1st and only, truly National Professional Musky Circuit. Leading the way with new, challenging, and innovative Formats on some of the Country’s Top Musky Fishing Destinations; Highlighting Freshwater’s most elusive and challenging fish and the fast-growing Community of Extreme Adventure Anglers who give Her chase. Special thanks to Event Sponsor Musky Hunter Magazine and to all of our wonderful Hosts and Site Partners without whose help this memorable Event would not have been possible: VISIT BEMIDJI; RUTTGER’S BIRCHMONT LODGE; EAGLE RIVER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; THREE LAKES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; RANGER BOATS; KEYES OUTDOORS; CHAOS TACKLE; MOTORGUIDE; VITAMINERALS; LAKE CHIPPEWA FLOWAGE RESORT ASSOC; TREELAND RESORTS; MOREHEAD TOURISM 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 our growing PMTT Family.
Friday’s PMTT BIG FISH Award – 48.25 – Mike Jones & Talbert Turner
Saturday’s PMTT BIG FISH Award – 51.75 – Brad Swenson & Jake Willborg
MHM BIG FISH AWARD – 49.75 – Curt Brekke & Al Myerdirk
FINAL RESULTS – 61 Musky Registered & Released
DAY-1 Total – 31 Musky Registered
DAY-2 Total – 30 Musky Registered