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Page 76 October 2017MidWest Outdoors Wiscoonsin Section “Helping you enjoy the outdoors”

July 16th kicked off the 3rd annual Tomorrow’s Anglers Fish Quest kids fi shing tournament held on Lake Winnebago, the largest lake in Wisconsin. Tomorrow’s Anglers is a not-for-profi t organization, whose sole mission is to promote youth fi shing by helping children develop an appreciation and warmth for fi shing through hands-on experiences piloted by veteran anglers. The tournament, hosted at SkipperBud’s Oshkosh location, mirrors that of real professional fi shing circuits. Each child, along with a parent/guardian, is teamed up with a professional angler, in a fully-rigged boat for a day on the water. It had stormed the night prior and was a cold morning for mid-July, which made the bite that much harder to fi nd. But that didn’t deter participants from stepping out in fun. As the day grew warmer, the action began to pick up. Using planer boards to troll crankbaits or spinner rigs, the kids ran the lines as their captains stood by ready to net fi sh. The tournament allowed for 5 walleyes and 1 sheepshead to bring to the scale, and where the walleye required patience and tact, the sheepshead made for an easy catch with plenty of action. By early afternoon, nearly all had bagged the allotted number of walleyes, and the boats started to head back to SkipperBud’s for weigh-in. All 75 children who participated were given their moment in the spotlight. One after another, each kid came up on stage, where their fi sh were weighed, they described their day in an interview, and held their catch up for the crowd. The moment of the day was made as one young angler addressed the crowd, “I had the best moment of my life today,” he said. “It’s been a great time fi shing with my dad; he’s my pro (fi sherman).” The 2017 Tomorrow’s Anglers tournament was an unforgettable day for the children, and for all who volunteered their time to make the event a huge success. We’d like to extend an extra special thanks to our corporate sponsors —Smoker Craft Boats, Mercury Marine and SkipperBud’s—who shared their reasons for becoming involved in the event.

Smoker Craft Smoker Craft Inc. is a boat manufacturer in New Paris, Ind., known as a market leader in innovation, high quality products and great customer service. Smoker Craft offers 3 fi shing brands: Smoker Craft, Starcraft and Starweld; 3 pontoon brands: Sylvan, Sunchaser and Starcraft; and 1 fi berglass sport brand: Starcraft.

“Smoker Craft is an advocate for all things fi shing. We found this event especially intriguing since it promotes kids fi shing. The next generations of fi shermen are coming, and any chance that we get to promote fi shing and fi shing safety is something we are excited to be a part of. “Youth fi shing is very important. Teaching kids techniques, safety and the thrill of landing the big one creates a passion for fi shing that will last a lifetime.

— Steve Huber

SkipperBud’s SkipperBud’s is a family-owned marine company specializing in boat sales, brokerage, service, storage and marinas operation since 1959. With locations in six states—California, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Washington and Wisconsin—SkipperBud’s mission is to “Deliver the Boating Dream. SkipperBud’s – Experience is the Difference.” SkipperBud’s sells the best boat brands in the industry: Alumacraft, Smokercraft, MasterCraft, Malibu, Tige, Sea Ray, Cruisers Yachts, Tiara Yachts, Bayliner,

Harris Pontoons, Sylvan Pontoons, Starcraft Pontoons and Runabouts, Meridian Yachts, Four Winns, Scarab Jet Boats, Glastron Boats, Scout Boats, Hey Day Boats, Yamaha Jet Boats and Crest pontoons. “Our children are the next generation of boaters. We look forward to serving boaters in the future, and are focused on teaching our children about the fantastic lifestyle of boating and the excitement of fi shing. We value any opportunity where we can help our children discover a love of fi shing. It’s a fantastic sport that

Tomorrow’s Anglers: A Huge Success

WGBA

Green BaySun 9:30 AM

TELEVISIONWatch MidWest Outdoors TV

in November for coverage of theTomorrow’s Anglers tournament!

WausauSun 6:30 AM

BarabooThurs 6 PM

Sat 4 PM

WISCONSIN

StatewideFri 1:30 PMSat 9:30 AM

SuperiorSun 11:30 AMSun 10:35 PM

Mon 10 PMTues 1 PM

Thurs 7:30 AM

airing on these stations:

Fish is on the menu, but this kid is hammin’ it up! Tournament president Jeff Boutin interviews a young angler on the stage at SkipperBud’s.

Pro anglers and volunteers gather around the Mercury tent for hot dogs and burgers before weigh-in.

Smokin’ ‘em on the Smoker Craft! Another great bag on the upper lakes of the Winnebago Chain.

October 2017 Page 77MidWest Outdoors Wisconsin Section – Celebrating 50 Years!

teaches conservationism, patience and sportsmanship. “Teaching today’s youth about fi shing is very important. Our youth learn skills that will last a lifetime when they get into the sport of fi shing. They learn boating skills, safety skills and rules of the road that will last a lifetime. These are character attributes that they will take with them into their adulthood and future careers.”

— Mike Pretasky Jr.

Mercury Marine Mercury Marine has long been a leader in the manufacturing of Mercury outboards, MerCruiser stern drives, inboard and tow sport marine engines, as well as a wide range of products and accessories that support the marine industry, including infl atable boats! With more than 4,000 dealerships in the U. S., and based in nearby Fond du Lac on the shores of Lake Winnebago, Mercury was a natural partner to be involved in the event. “The world is 71 percent water.

And for those bold enough to reach out and explore it, 100 percent awesome. The spirit of Go Boldly lives inside the passionate, spontaneous, secure and curious. Mercury Marine has proudly spent over 75 years living this spirit, creating the tools that give those passionate about being on the water the ability to Go Boldly in the pursuit of their ultimate on-the-water experiences. “Kids who are exposed to the water embrace this spirit of discovery, wonder and appreciation, forming a lifelong passion for the outdoors. Whether fi shing, boating or some of both, each day is a new adventure and new experience. Fishing, in particular, really excels in this regard, because no two days are ever identical, given the mysteries of fi sh behavior, seasonal movements and willingness to bite. Every day is a new learning experience. And every day spent fi shing with kids is a chance to pass on that tradition and challenge to coming generations.”

— Deb Priepke

MidWest Outdoors MidWest Outdoors is a multi-media company dedicated to helping people enjoy the outdoors. Passionate and engaged outdoorsmen turn to MWO for information on where to go, what to use, how to use it—and for features that add to their general success and enjoyment of the great outdoors. Founded in 1967, MidWest Outdoors magazine is celebrating 50 years as one of America’s favorite outdoor publications. MidWest Outdoors’ top-rated television show is now in its thirty-fi rst year of continuous production and is available in over 85 million U.S. homes. “Reaching today’s young people is a core value of MidWest Outdoors and part of our mission to help people enjoy the outdoors. We intend to preserve the MidWest Outdoors legacy for generations to come, and our nation’s youth are the future of that legacy. This can only be accomplished when we encourage participation among today’s youth. These passionate young outdoorsmen will become tomorrow’s leaders, teaching the next generation how their lives can be fulfi lled by embracing our natural environment and engaging in the wholesome pursuit of the great outdoors. “The importance of teaching kids to fi sh, as well as making places to fi sh

available, cultivates its own rewards. Aside from the challenge of going one-on-one with nature, fi shing gives kids a chance to decompress from the everyday onslaught of technology, (smartphones, video games, etc.). Fishing also teaches valuable life lessons about conservation, nature, survival and patience.”

— Mark Hunkeler

TALK TO THE DEALER NEAREST YOU. CALL 866-719-7873 OR VISIT SMOKERCRAFT.COM

IGTSIGTSIGTSIGTS LED INTERIOR LIGHTINGLED INTERIOR LIGHTINGLED INTERIOR LIGHTINGLED INTERIOR LIGHTING

Two young anglers hold up their catch to the crowd on the stage at SkipperBud’s.

A two-for-one special with Bill Sutton.

Event sponsors

created with SkipperBud’s,

Mercury and Smoker Craft by the

MidWest Outdoors

mediaW O R K S H O P

MidWest Outdoors Wisconsin Section – Celebrating 50 Years! October 2017Page 78

by David Rose Fishing guide and writer David Rose of Grawn, Michigan, is well-travelled around the Midwest and an expert angler for many different species.

MARKED MAP

• HB LakeMaster Wisconsin Edition, Version 7 micro card*• HB LakeMaster Wisconsin PLUS Edition, Version 2 micro card*• SmartStrike Wisconsin Edition, Version 3 micro card*

• Contour Elite, Wisconsin Edition, Version 6 PC software• Also available as a downloadable map through Humminbird ChartSelecthttps://chartselect.humminbird.com/

*Compatible with select Humminbird models

A complete high-definition map of Lake Winnebago is available on the following LakeMaster products:

LOCATION: East-Central Wisconsin; Calumet, Winnebago and Fond du Lac counties.

SIZE/DEPTH: Lake Winnebago is Wisconsin’s largest inland lake, with 131,939 acres ofwater. Its maximum depth of 21 feet makes it far from being the deepest. Most of the lake isless than 15 feet in depth.

SPECIES: Muskies, bluegills, crappies, perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northernpike, walleyes, white bass, sturgeon, burbot and catfish.

Lake Winnebago

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Here at the inlet of the Fox River, stay on themain break-line of the river channel and cast smallsafety-pin-style spinners, such as Beetle Spins, orpitch 1/8-ounce jigs tipped with soft plastics forwalleyes. Weeds can be thick, so aim for open pockets.

Bass of both species hang out on theOshkosh Reef. Lipless crankbaits workwonders here as the water can bestained and the fish home in on the vibration.

This is a great place to trollcrankbaits for walleyes and pike. Thebaitfish here are long andslender, so your lure’s shapeshould match. Pay closeattention to where the water inthe teens goes to 20 feet.

The tips of the Long Point reefcomplexes bode well for minnowsand leeches under slip bobbers. Forbest results, keep your bait suspendedjust above the rocks.

This cut is a popular spot for walleyesand white bass. Just about any techniqueyou want to try can take fish. Just watch outfor fish stakes and manmade structure inshallow water.

The outer edges of this huge weedyarea are a ’gill and crappie hotspot. Livebait like leeches, crickets or a chunk ofnightcrawler under a bobber makes theperfect ppresentation.

This long break-line is a perfectspot for those who love to troll. Crawlerharnesses towed behind in-line planerboards can catch just about every species

in the lake. Try plastics instead of a realnightcrawler as panfish and small white

bass often tear apart the real thing.

Walleyes suspend over this main lakeflat, and crankbaits trolled behind in-lineplaner boards allow you to cover the most water.

Perch and walleye are caught hereregularly on live-bait rigs. Try crawlerharnesses pulled behind bottom bouncersalong bottom here, too.

Cast deep-diving crankbaits on top ofHaystack Reef for a mix of species. White

and bright colors are favorites in the stainedwater of Winnebago.

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Despite its huge expanse, Lake Winnebago is extremely shallow. Walleyes, bluegills and crappies are, by far,the most sought-after species late in the open-water season. Fish hold tight to the numerous weed beds, rockyreefs and main-lake flats. There are 20 official state-run boat launch\ sites on the lake. Watch the wind aswaves can be big and steep during a blow.

THE FISH ISN’T WHATHE’LL REMEMBER.

He’ll remember where he was, who he was with, and how it made him feel. And the power and reliability of the Mercury 60 FourStroke will ensure there are many more memories to come.

Learn more at mercurymarine.com