Pat Neu Claims PWT Victory on Bay de Noc
Category: Tournament
Aug 25th, 2006 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Aug 25th, 2006 at 12:00 AM
The final results at the Optima/Realtree Pro-Am mirror the day two results, because Mother Nature forced cancellation of day three. The In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail directors consulted with the Coast Guard and weather observers. Faced with three to six foot waves on the Bays at 5 a.m., and predictions for seven to nine footers later in the day, Friday, Aug. 25, and with wind blowing up the entire length of Green Bay from the east-southeast, the final day of the final Regional series presented by MotorGuide was cancelled. Rookie PWT pro Pat Neu, Forestville, Wis. collected the $46,000 first prize, which included a Lund/Mercury walleye boat. With his ninth place finish at Mobridge, SD, he has pocketed more than $50,000 this season. Neu fished about nine miles south of the Cedar River in 20 feet of water. He was targeting walleyes about 12 to 14 feet down with spinners and nightcrawlers, at less than one mile per hour. Placing second was pro Todd Riley, Amery, Wis. He won $12,600. He also fished the Cedar River area. Second-year pro Tom Gatzke, Merrill, Wis., with a PWT victory under his belt at Winneconne, Wis., earlier this season, placed third. He fished the Drisco Shoal area with either spinners or Crankbaits, switching his tactics as the Lowrance Electronics showed fish moving up or down in the water column. His winnings for the year totaled $66,000. Gatzke was also named the Tommy Docks Champion as the top-ranked regional pro for the season. He won $5,000 for this honor. The Lund/Mercury $15,000 walleye boat went to first place amateur/co-angler Paul Skoglund, Waterford, Mich. The Mercury Top Amateur $4,000 award and an invitation to the Championship went to John Mascarello, Plattsmouth, Neb. He fished all four Regionals, and finished 9th, 21st, 22nd and 30th. The Coleman Big Fish of the Optima/Realtree Pro-Am went to pro Shaun Clauson, Black Hawk, SD and amateur Mike Colombo, Harrison Township, Mich. Clauson won $1,500 and Colombo won $50, for their 10.92-pounder. Three walleyes over 10 pounds came to the scales. The average weight of all fish was 4.38 pounds. Under the state and PWT regulations, each boat was allowed five walleyes to the scales; two could be over 23 inches; three could be from 15 to 23 inches. Neu was named the Aqua-Vu Rookie of the Year, winning a $2,000 motorized underwater viewing system (MAV). Other rookies qualifying for the Mercury Championship include Jeff Edwards, Shoreview, Minn., Rick Zachowski, Milwaukee, Wis., and Mike Kuzdzal, Ada, Mich. Ron Gazvoda, Lakewood, Col., winner when the PWT visited Bay de Noc in 2004, bounced back from a dismal day one to nail down the ColemanCool Under Pressure award, moving up 45 places. Neil Feck, Traverse, City, Mich., advanced 55 places to claim the amateur Coleman award. Bob Propst, Jr., Bode, Iowa, winner at Chamberlain, SD earlier this season and the day one leader with 26.66 pounds won the E-Cell Heavyweight $1,000 award. The top 20 Regional anglers qualified to fish the Mercury Championship. The final standings, tournament results, photos, Championship qualifiers and statistics are featured on the PWT website, www.professionalwalleyetrail.com. The Championship will take place Oct. 13-15 at Bismarck, ND, with stage ceremonies and weigh-in at the Civic Center. An outdoor festival and sportshow will occur in the adjacent Exhibit Hall. With the tremendous cooperation of the entire community, especially the Delta Chamber of Commerce and the Bays de Noc Convention and Visitors Bureau, both were recognized. Accepting the PWT Superior Achievement awards for their valuable assistance were Jalene Polkey from the Chamber and Steve Masters with the CVB.The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America’s leading producer of targeted media. PWT promotional partners include: Mercury Marine, Lund, The Outdoor Channel, Berkley, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Lowrance, MinnKota, Trilene, Frenzy, Blue Fox, Powerbait, Johnsonville Brats, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, GULP!, Coleman, Storm, Tommy Docks, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, E-Village, Kwik Pfyt, Raymarine, Rapala, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Gerbing’s Heated Clothing, Aqua-Vu, Plano, Stowmaster.net, Navionics, Yellow Bird, Beckman, Drift Control, Gemini Sport Marketing, Yo-Zuri , Reef Runner, Delta Chamber of Commerce, 906.786.2192 and Bay de Noc CVB., 906.789.7862.