PMTT Breaks All-Time Records at Cave Run Lake
Category: Tournament
Apr 27th, 2002 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Apr 27th, 2002 at 12:00 AM
The Professional Muskie Tournament Trail (PMTT) got off to a record-breaking start at its initial qualifier of the year at Kentucky’s Cave Run Lake. Held Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21, 30 legal muskie were taken on Day I with an additional 18 on Day II. A total of 123 teams, another PMTT record for Cave Run Events, took to the water for this first of four qualifiers. First place and a check for $16,400 went to the team of Rick LaBuda and Bob Dobiliauskas with two muskie measuring 37.5″ and 38.75″. Bob Culbertson and John C. Newman Jr., captured second place and a check for $3100 for their two muskie measuring 38.25″ and 37.75″. In third place was the team of Clint Schneider and Rod Kruckman with three muskie measuring 32″, 36.5″ and 30.75″. This gave them a check for $2460. Fourth place and a check for $1640 went to Bob Kesler Jr., and Bob Kesler III with two fish measuring 43″ and 31″. Fifth place and a check for $1230 went to Dean and Kylie Eoannou for their 43.25″ and 30.5″ fish. Saturday’s All Star Rods Big Fish award of $500 and an All Star rod went to the father and daughter team of Dean and Kylie Eoannou for their 43.25″ fish. Meanwhile, Sunday’s All Star Rods Big Fish award went to Dennis Radloff and Gregg Laffin for their 40″ muskie. The Ranger Cup winner for the top Ranger Boat finisher was the team of Crash Mullins and Joe McCartin. They earned $500 for their 33.5″ and 35.5″ fish. Tournament Director Tim Widlacki was elated about the Cave Run Lake results. “Awesome! Simply awesome! Fish were caught everywhere and with every method. Trollers and casters both boated fish, deep and shallow.” Widlacki continued, “I don’t know what you can say when you have a tournament that breaks your all-time record for most fish caught in a single day, for a weekend and the most contestants ever for that event. Wow!” The top team made the most of Saturday, catching both of their fish trolling red Little Ernie crankbaits off of some main lake breaklines close to shore in the 12-15 foot range up on the north end of the lake by the dam. “They caught both fish on Saturday to take the lead and hung on Sunday.” Most amazing in this first qualifier is the success turnaround from pre-fishing to the tournament itself. Widlacki said, “Pre-fishing was terrible. The teams weren’t getting follows, and many weren’t even seeing fish. Then the tournament hit, and bang, the fish turned on!” Widlacki added that the PMTT sponsors once again helped to set up a great tournament. “I would especially like to thank Sherri Whinkler and the Morehead, KY Tourism Commission. They always do whatever it takes to bring everyone that down home southern hospitality. As always I look forward to working with all of the other site sponsors who will be hosting future PMTT events.” Next up will the Madison Chain of Lakes qualifier in Wisconsin, May 18-19. For those who wish to follow the Professional Musky Tournament Trail on the Internet, you can find the Trail at promusky.com, and all of the events will be filmed and televised. Anyone interested in more information on the Professional Musky Tournament Trail should contact the Tournament Director: Tim Widlacki at the promusky.com website or call (815) 264-3228. Major PMTT sponsors include Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards, Musky Hunter, All Star Graphite Rods, The Fishing Guide Show, Crash’s Landing, Inc., the Morehead Kentucky Tourism Commission, The Greater Madison Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, The Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center and the Illinois Conservation Foundation, along with all of the Associate and Contributing sponsors that all play a key roll in the PMTT success.