The Professional Musky Tournament Trail`s exciting 2015 season came to a close this past weekend September 26th & 27th with the PMTT Ranger Boats World Championship on Lake Wissota, located outside of Eau Claire, WI.
The top 35 teams competing in the tournament were greeted with weather that was not typical for good musky fishing conditions. Bluebird skies, calm wind, water temps in the low seventies and air temps around eighty degrees had the anglers believing it would not take much to win the event. In addition the week leading up to the tournament, Lake Wissota developed a very bad algae bloom, making the conditions even tougher. The team of Cesar Saucedo of Mundelein, IL and Ric Cummings of Vernon Hills, IL did not let any of the conditions affect their approach. They worked Bulldawg swimbaits off the weed edges and would let them drop-off the breakline into deep water on the retrieve. Their technique produced the biggest fish of the tournament at 39.25” and sealed the win as they were crowned the PMTT Ranger Boats World Champions. For their efforts they took home the huge first place trophies and a brand new 2016 Ranger 619 Fisherman, Rangertrail trailer powered by a Mercury OptiMax, a package valued at well over $40,000.
In second place was Jordan Klingbeil of Eau Claire, WI and Rob Kahl of Menomonie, WI with a 37.25” musky that was caught on a bucktail. Their fish not only gave them a 2nd place finish to net them $6,300 but it also gave them the points needed to win the prestigious 2015 PMTT Top Gun – Team of the Year Award.
In third place was Anthony Weisner of Fountain, MN and Andrew Hutter of Champlin, MN with a 37” musky caught on a jerkbait. In Fourth Place was Anthony Rumple of Brownstown, MI and Andrew Devrich of Howell, MI who also caught their 36.50” muskie on a jerkbait. Finishing in fifth Place was the father and son team of Matthew Buck of Lake City, MN and Dallas Buck of Bay City, WI who caught their 36.50” musky on a depthraider crankbait.
The prestigious 2015 PMTT Top Gun – Team of the Year award standings which is earned by being the most consistent team to catch muskies throughout the trail was a very close competition this year with the top three teams finishing within 22 points of one another. As mentioned the Top Gun Team of the Year goes out to Jordan Klingbeil and Rob Kahl both of Minnesota. Second Place in the Top Gun standings is Joe Ertl of Minneapolis, MN. and Ben Michleg of Manitowish Waters, WI. Third Place in the Top Gun standings went to Austin Vig and Andy Matz, both of Prior Lake, MN.
Tournament Director Tim Widlacki thanked all of the PMTT`s fantastic sponsors, especially Ranger Boats for their continued support of not only the PMTT but the entire sport of musky fishing. Thanks also to “Visit Eau Claire”, our host site sponsor for the tournament. Also thanks to Mercury Marine, Chaos Tackle, Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce, Morehead Tourism Commission, Musky Hunter Magazine, Keyes Outdoors, Musky Mayhem Tackle 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!
To obtain more information on becoming a member of the PMTT, or to view event photo album, please visit them on the Web @ www.promusky.com or call PMTT office @: 815-478-4092
By: Duane Landmeir, PR Mgr
