For Todd and Diane Warmbold, Day one of the MTT Championship on Lake of the Woods was one of those days you just hang around and make sure you are still in the hunt for day two.  On Lake of the Woods, as the saying goes by tournament anglers, “you are never out of it”.  The reason an angler is never out of it is the big number of trophy walleyes.

The slot limit on Lake of the Woods is any walleye between 19.5″ – 28″ must be released immediately.  Anglers are allowed a combined limit of six walleyes and saugers per angler per day with one fish per day over 28″.  Teams consisting of two anglers were allowed to bring in six walleyes to the scales each day per boat with a maximum of two walleyes 28″ or over for the entire two day tournament.

Todd and Diane did just that.  After having a weight of 6.54 lbs for six fish on day one, they knew they needed big fish.  Day two, the couple caught two big walleyes weighing 8.04 lbs and 9.97 lbs.  Along with their other four fish that day, the day’s weight totaled 25,27 lbs, and a total tournament weight of 33.81 lbs.  The win alloMTT, Lake of the Woodswed the husband / wife team to take possession of their brand new Skeeter WX1850/ 150 HP Yamaha outboard and trailer, a package valued at over $40k.

Second place was also held by a husband wife team of Craig and Cathy Feierabend with a tournament weight of 31.45 lbs.  Third place went to Aaron Jackson and Michael Staples who also caught two big fish on day two for a tournament total weight of 30.86 lbs.

Anglers were catching fish trolling crankbaits in Big Traverse Bay, pulling bottom bouncers and spinners and jigging with shiners.  Fish were caught all over the lake from shallow to deep.  Many big fish were caught.  Anglers were commenting about the disappointment of catching walleyes just under the 28″ mark that looked like they should be 30″ long due to their massive size.  Overall, 21 trophy walleyes 28″ or over were caught during the tournament.

Anglers fished tournaments throughout the year to qualify for the championship up at Lake of the Woods.  Anglers have to fish (4) one day tournaments and (1) two day tournament or finish in the top 75 for standing throughout the regular tournament season to qualify.

Team of the Year honors went to Bob Nitti and Bryan Dunaiski.  This team has won this honor before and will be shooting for it again.  The Father / Son Team of the Year went to  Corey and Dayton Jahn.

MTT, Lake of the WoodsThe tournament headquarters again this year was Border View Lodge.  The dinner and awards ceremony were held at River Bend Resort.

Thank you to all MTT Anglers for coming up to Lake of the Woods for the championship as well as other parts of the year.  MTT anglers are some of the best in the land and each year, they never disappoint.