LAKE WINNiBIGOSHISH, August 29, 2015 – After a tremendous year, including two wins, Team Grothe slammed the door on the 2015 season after competing as a father/son combination on the AIM Weekend Walleye Series, Minnesota division.

Ross Grothe, a 21-year professional walleye angler and his 8-year-old son Reid teamed up for the 2015 season, and solidified the title during the final event in late August on Lake Winnibigoshish, near Bemidji, Minnesota. The team came into championship with a comfortable lead in the Team-of-the-Year points race. However, it wasn’t a done deal.

Following Day 1 on “Big Winnie,” the Grothes were sitting in 4th place with a 20-pound limit of Northern Minnesota walleyes. In order to clench the title with no contest, they had to catch only 5 fish-of any size-during the final day of competition.

AIM’s Catch-Record-Release format allows anglers to log each fish, regardless of the size, which is later reviewed via the photos each team is required to produce as the fish is on a specific bump board. The fish are immediately returned to the water-no weigh-in!

“Our pattern really deteriorated on the final day,” Grothe explained. “I knew we could find the necessary five fish to seal the deal on our Team of the Year objectives, but we were there to win the event.”

Five fish were caught, and the team finished the event in 16th place.

“I can’t over emphasize how important my entire team is to this lifestyle,” he said. “Reid is a great partner in the boat on tournament day, but we spend quite a bit of time fishing together as a family during practice. My wife Karisa really holds everything together while we are practicing and competing-without her; I’m not sure how this could happen.”

Grothe’s fish were caught on Rapala Jigging Raps in Perch and Yellow Perch patterns.

“It’s a lot of fun to find a pattern like this,” he said. “Seldom have I isolated a technique that Reid and I can both use together during a tournament. On Big Winnie we both caught fish and contributed together; as a dad I love watching him reel in a fish that he hooked by himself with the same intensity I have. I’m proud of him.”

Team Grothe is now qualified for the 2016 AIM Shootout, and by winning Team of the Year they get next year’s entry fees covered.

Team Grothe is sponsored by the following outstanding companies:
Ranger Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Lowrance, St. Croix, Rapala, Berkley, Optima Batteries and Smooth Moves Seats.