The PMTT Chaos Tackle Spring Shootout on Cave Run Lake, Ky on April 28th & 29th, had over 150 anglers from all over the country compete in the 2 day event. An annual PMTT tournament hosted by the Morehead Tourism Commission had perfect weather and lake conditions that produced a record number of muskies caught in a PMTT event at Cave Run. Occasional small front moving through turning on the muskies combined with the shad spawning, had the muskies were putting on the feed bag after recovering from their own spawn. There were a record 61 muskies over 30 inches caught and released by anglers at the event, breaking the old record of 48 for Cave Run.
The current PMTT World Champions Chris (Crystal Lake, IL.) and Eric Burseth (Bartlett, IL.) ended up starting the tournament season the way that they ended it last year with a win. The Burseth’s used Medussa’s, the rubber swimbaits by Chaos Tackle in the firetiger & perch color patterns to entice their muskies into biting. The area that they were fishing was Zilpo Flats, the largest flat on the lake which had some nice weed beds and shallow sand bars that the shad were using to spawn. The Burseth’s incredibly registered six muskies between 34.25 ? 42 inches.
The Burseth’s also took home the Ranger Cup prize for an additional $1,000 bonus, which could be won at all the PMTT qualifying events if they are registered for the Ranger Cup beforehand. Chaos Tackle, the sponsor of the Chaos Tackle Spring Shootout also had contingency prize for this event of $3,000.00 to the team that won the event and were using their Medussa swimbait lures. The Burseths total winnings were $15,750.00.
In second place was long time PMTT pro Kevin Nash of Aurora, IL. and Bill Fassig of Aurora. Nash has been known to be a favorite to finish near the top at Cave Run because of his success over the years at the lake. He has finished in the top ten many times at Cave Run in the past. The two anglers used Jake crank baits in the timber, being sure to fish tight to cover to entice muskies that were not active into striking. Their 5 muskies measured between 32.25 – 39.50 inches.
Third Place was won by the reigning Top Gun team of the year Matt and Dave Kircher of Cleveland, Ohio. Their team caught four muskies that were between 32.25 – 37.50 inches. The two anglers cast and trolled minnowbaits in 6 feet of water working baits near the weeds on Zilpo Flats also.
Fourth Place was taken by Mark and Adam Follerweider of Palos Heights, IL. Who used gold and white twitch baits near shallow weed patches to entice their fish into biting. The two anglers caught 3 muskies measuring 33 – 39 inches. Fifth Place was won by longtime PMTT angler and local fishing guide Gregg Thomas of Morehead, Kentucky and partner Dave Growchowski of Cincinnati, Ohio. The two anglers caught muskies that were 45.50 and 39.25 inches in length. They caught their muskies on tube jigs fishing vertically around boat docks in the marina.
Tournament Director Tim Widlacki thanked all of the PMTT’s fantastic sponsors, especially the Morehead Kentucky Tourism for hosting such an incredible tournament every year and Chaos Tackle for sponsoring the tournament. Also thanks to Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Musky Hunter Magazine, Keyes Outdoors Television, Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce, Rollie & Helens Musky Shop, Musky Mayhem Tackle, Crash’s Landing and all the associate and contributing sponsors. Please let these fine folks know that you appreciate their promotional efforts in support of freshwaters most challenging fish … and those extreme anglers who chase her on the first, best and only truly National Professional Musky Circuit … the PMTT!
If you would like to enter our next event that takes place on the Eagle River Chain in Eagle River, WI, obtain more information on becoming a member of the 2012 PMTT, or to view event photo album, please visit them on the promusky website or call PMTT office @: 815-478-4351By: Tim Widlacki
