OCONTO, WI. (June 21, 2024) – The Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s National Walleye Tour presented by Progressive event #3 at the Bay of Green Bay in Oconto, WI belongs to young Pro-Angler Eric McQuoid.
Eric had a two-day total worth 43-14 of Wisconsin Walleye out of the Bay of Green Bay. Eric was one of the few anglers that gambled on not making a long run up north, and instead stayed relatively local- but it paid off for him and was awarded a new 2024 Ranger 620FS powered by a Mercury 250 Pro XS motor, plus $15,000 cash.
“This has been a crazy emotional week,” said the 2021 NWT Champion. “I came in here like a lot of anglers did thinking I would have to commit to a long run, but fortunately using a little history on this body of water I was able to find an area I knew would hold great quality fish.”
Eric shared water with his dad, Kevin, who was the Day-1 leader after weighing in 26-09. Fellow Aftco prostaff angler Drake Herd was also in the area and travels with the father-and-son duo. Drake also caught a limit that landed him in the Top-5 after day one in Oconto, WI.
“Today, I just went out there hoping to fish clean and leave everything on the water. But to walk away with the victory on this body of water that I grew up fishing with my dad……….. it’s pretty special,” he said as he was wiping away tears.
Sunday, the first day of practice, was Father’s Day celebrated across America. To end the third stop of the 2024 NWT season watch the McQuoids on stage as Eric raised his second trophy of his career made many in the crowd also have to wipe away a few tears.
Eric is also the Garmin Contingency Winner, earning him an additional $300 for being the highest finishing Pro-Angler with exclusive Garmin electronics and $200 for running a Garmin Force Trolling motor. For winning the tournament and being Ranger Cup qualified he will earn the $8,000 Ranger Cup money plus an additional $2,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card.
In total, the champ wins $127,769 in cash and prizes.
ELL ends the Tournament in Second
Ranger Pro-Angler Jacob ELL from Bismarck, ND recorded his first Top-5 finish of the 2024 season after catching a total of 42-02 and taking home a check worth 23,600.
Jacob reported catching his fish using a variety of moving baits and focusing on the mud.
“Very excited to have a fish like this after the unfortunate practice I had”, said the Mercury Pro-Angler. “I just feel very fortunate at tournament where a lot of anglers struggled, and I thought I was going to be one of those same pros, but luckily I fished clean and just made things happen”.
The North Dakota pro was one of the only anglers to bring in over 20 pounds of walleye each day. He also captured the $250 T-H Marine bonus for being the highest finishing pro running a TH-Marine Atlas Jackplate on his Ranger Boat.
Kopcok Represents Canada for Third Place
John Kopcok, one of the most delightful NWT anglers to cross the stage, also recorded his highest finish of the 2024 season after catching a total of 40-07.
“How about it ladies and gentlemen, we are bringing it home for Canada”, said the Ranger Pro-Angler. “This week I tried not to lose a leg like at the last one and just fished around like I do back home. This place really reminds me of where I grew up, and the fish are huge…. if you can get them to bite.”
John was one of the few Pro-Anglers that brought in over 20 pounds to the NWT scales on Friday, which secured his third-place finish. He takes home a check worth $16,882. John reported catching his fish on a Walleye Nation Creations Death Jig.
The Rest of the Top-10
4.) HUNTER NITTI ROSEMOUNT, MN 37-07 $14,422
5.) DANIEL WOODKE GILLETT, WI 34-02 $13,940
6.) DYLAN PEOTTER KAUKAUNA, WI 33-06 $12,690
7.) DRAKE HERD ALEXANDRIA, MN 32-08 $9,300
8.) MATT SCHIEFELBEIN STURGEON BAY, WI 30-15 $9,870
NWT wants to thank the city of Oconto, WI for the hospitality and awesome service this week to all of the anglers.
For more information on the National Walleye Tour, including the 2024 tournament schedule, fact sheets, photos, and official tournament results from past events, visit nationalwalleyetour.com. Subscribing to the NWT e-newsletter is the best way to receive up-to-date information, registration announcements, sponsor incentives, and Outdoor TeamWorks news.
About National Walleye Tour
National Walleye Tour (NWT) is part of the Outdoor Team Works family of fishing tournaments. The OTW brand offers a wide range of fishing events from professional tournaments to grassroots fishing derbies. All events are supported by some of the top companies in the nation and include on-site activation and activities, as well as extensive media support. For live updates and information, follow NWT on Facebook and Instagram or visit https://outdoorteamworks.com/ to catch up on all the action.
