TENGWALL / GUDDAL LEAD CHARGE: CLAIM TITLE & $19,000

Musky Hunter Magazine’s FALL SHOWDOWN
PMTT Q-4 Results/Madison Chain

Fighting a drenching rain, blustery winds, incredibly tough competition and a broken trolling motor, Michael Tengwall & Eric Guddal, fished the bigger waters of Lake Monona, concentrating most of their efforts in the Olin Park/Turville Bay area, as did many of the top 12 finishers, throwing black Top Raiders and buzz baits over the relatively shallow, densely weeded flats, catching and releasing four legal fish, two each day, setting new PMTT records for both length/point total and number of fish registered, measuring 43, 42-¾, 38 & 36-¾ inches, claiming the Day One All-Star Rods "Big Fish" Award, the prestigious Ranger Cup and 1st Place check for a whopping total of $19,000! Said Eric Guddal of Maple Lake, MN. "We knew we were into something special pretty early, and while we were having some mechanical problems, really liked our chances as long as we could stay on our pattern!" Both closed in saying that it would probably take a few more days before it really hit them but that it sure felt good to get on a pattern, overcome adversity and still come away with the victory!

Their success was far from an isolated incident as 2nd thru 5th Places all registered three fish each! Many great stories could be told of this incredible event but the gutsy call at the close of day one by Dan Peckels and Mike Koepp of Pewaukee, WI. to completely change game plan and location on day two has to be among the best, and one that would pay huge dividends, including a 44-inch day two All-Star "Big Fish Award" winner and 2nd Place overall for a total of $5,000. "The fishing was almost unbelievable. We moved over 30 fish, got the hooks into six, boating two." explained Dan Peckels of their second day action. Partner Mike Koepp said that even though they had scored a 38-¼ inch fish Saturday, "If we wanted to have a shot at winning it we knew we were going to have to mix it up a bit." Deciding to change water, staying on Waubesa and fish shallower weeds closer to the take-off area, Mike threw the bait that had been successful the day before, back in the box and switched to Bull Dawgs, top waters and buck tails, which all seemed to work, but having the confidence to trust in their knowledge and abilities and "Go for it" helped to make for "What may well have been my best day ever on Musky water!" added Mike, "It is hard to imagine how many opportunities presented themselves today, you just about had to see it to believe it."

Tim Widlacki, PMTT Tournament Director and co-founder, was nearly left speechless as the records began to fall. "What can I say that the numbers themselves don’t tell?" replied Widlacki with large smile and shrug of his shoulders, when asked about the record setting results. "You put this group of anglers on any good system and you are likely to get surprising results. Add a prime calendar period, optimal weather conditions and a berth in the World Championship and I guess the results pretty much speak for themselves… Totally awesome!"

Day one leaders Steve Reintra & Chad Strutzle, utilizing top water baits, as did many in the very popular Turville Bay area, remarked "We can’t help but wonder what might have been… Man, so close", when they could not improve on their early lead and three fish total, knowing that any of the 15 fish moved on Sunday or the near 40-inch specimen lost at boat-side would have propelled them into the winners circle, taking some solace in the $2,700 3rd Place check. Adam Oberfoell & Travis Clark cashed a check for $1,800 by catching three Musky, all in a hard charge on the last day, using a combination of Mepps buck tails and Grim Reaper buzz baits to move from last to 4th while Rod Kruckman & Clint Schnieder added two fish to their first day single fish entry by throwing Slammer top water baits for 5th Place and $1,350.

Top water presentations seemed to prevail, whether on the clearer waters of Lake Monona or the more stained conditions of Waubesa, the two largest of the five lakes being fished in this chain that included Lower & Upper Mud as well as Kegonsa, although it was apparent that buck tails, cranks, jerk baits and soft plastics all scored as well during this torrid bite. The common denominator was WEEDS. Shallow, deep or suspended… these Mad Chain Musky related to the abundant vegetation. "Changing weather conditions, dropping water temperatures, steady rain after two months of near drought conditions, moon phase and a variety of variables just seemed to come together" stated Widlacki, adding that as always, "a very special thanks goes out to all of the Major, Associate and Contributing sponsors, without whose continued support the PMTT’s success would be impossible. Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Musky Hunter Magazine, All Star Graphite Rods, The Fishing Guide Show, Heckel's Marina, Crash's Landing, Inc., Morehead Kentucky Tourism Commission, Greater Madison Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Center, Break on the Lake Resort and Birch Villa Resort. We ask that you would consider returning that support by patronizing their fine products and services."

For information regarding the Professional Musky Tournament Trail’s 2004 Season or the upcoming Mike James $100K Mega Musky Tournament contact: Tim Widlacki, PMTT Tournament Director - @ www.promusky.com or call (815) 264-3228