Angler’s consistency and 620FS Ranger boat keys to title
Ranger Boats Pro Ed Stachowski proved to be the most consistent angler for the 2016 season of the Cabela’s National Walleye Tour (NWT) by winning the Lucas Oil Angler of the Year title. Along with a custom Lucas Oil ring, Stachowski will receive paid entries for all 2017 NWT events.
Stachowski has made every cast of his five-year professional career out of a Ranger boat. Although he has come close to a tour-level win, the NWT Angler of the Year is his first major title.
“To do better than everyone over the course of a season is pretty huge to me,” said Stachowski. “It proves that I have the skills to compete on any body of water.”
The angler began the season with a strong showing at Lake Erie with an eighth-place finish and took 13th at Winnebago. A slip at Sturgeon Bay with a 35th-place finish caused a bit of concern, but his 11th-place finish at the NWT championship on Lake Oahe sealed the title.
“The third event made me a bit nervous,” said Stachowski. “Going into the championship, I had a good history in the Dakotas. I was in third place on day one and in a good position to win both the title and the championship.”
Stachowski attributes planning, preparation and his boat as keys to being the most consistent angler on the NWT Tour.
“I go into every tournament thinking I can win and try to get the plan together as soon as the schedule comes out,” said Stachowski. “I work on my Ranger 620 before the season to get everything situated the way I want it. Having one of the fastest boats out there is a great advantage too. I can get back and forth quickly and be really efficient. That’s one of the biggest differences I have.”
Along with the performance aspect, the angler acknowledges how Ranger’s storage capabilities and dependability to give him the confidence to excel in any tournament conditions.
“With as many different locations we fish on the NWT, my Ranger gives me enough space to store gear to tackle any situation,” said Stachowski. “I know this boat will get me there and back and keep me on the fish.”
About Ranger Boats
Headquartered in Flippin, Ark., Ranger Boats is the nation’s premier manufacturer of legendary fiberglass and aluminum fishing boats, which include series of bass, multi-species, fish ‘n play, waterfowl utility and saltwater boats. Founded in 1968 by Forrest L. Wood, Ranger Boats continues its commitment to building the highest-quality, strongest-performing boats on the water.
By: Greg Duncan, Blue Heron Communications
