It’s every angler’s dream to have the chance to win a brand-new boat. Even better, to do so without having to pay an entry fee. For the top 32 Champions Tour anglers this season, that dream became reality as they took to Lake Minnewaska in Starbuck, MN on Tuesday morning for eight hours of fishing that could change their lives forever.
On the line was not only a brand-new Skeeter Boats ZX200 but also the coveted Angler of the Year trophy which signifies consistency at its highest level across the entire tour season. Champions Tour veteran and new Champions Tour owner Dane Vocelka led the field out with a nine-point lead over Kyle Schutta in Angler of the Year race, Tommy Parker was a close third.
Lake Minnewaska is known for its quantity and quality of fish both Largemouth and Smallmouth and with anglers able to choose which side of the lake they started on a lot of strategy was at play knowing they would have to switch sides after the lunch break.
Waypoint Angler Supply Pro, Chad Smith raced out to an early lead with a school on the north side of the lake that had him catching fish cast after cast in the first hour of the day. By 8:00 am all 32 anglers had registered fish into the Reel LiveWell app and over 400 fish had been caught, weighed, and released in the first two hours of the prestigious event. Smith couldn’t sustain his lead for long as he was overtaken by a surging Kyle Schutta who looked early on like he could be on a record-breaking pace. Schutta’s stunning morning session also put him squarely in the driver’s seat for Angler of the Year
Schutta would widen that lead to nearly 30 pounds at its peak over the field with anglers like Matt Holweg, Terry Vang, Chad Smith, and Evan Blakley doing everything they can to keep pace. Big fish were at a premium in the morning session with fish over three pounds worth more than their weight in gold, but a few anglers found their kickers as Chad Keller had a 3-12, Tommy Parker had a 3-11, and John Figi also had a 3-11.
At the lunchtime break, the top nine anglers all had over 50 pounds of bass tallied in the Reel LiveWell App with Kyle Schutta nearly hitting the century mark in four hours of fishing with 94 pounds, 9 ounces on a staggering 65 fish caught. However, even this incredible half didn’t leave with a comfortable lead as Northland Tackle Pro, Matt Holweg closed the gap to less than ten pounds by the time boats returned at 11 am. Holweg’s 83-13 on 51 fish would keep him right in the thick of the chase for a new boat.
Things quickly tightened up in early goings of the afternoon as Matt Holweg and Kyle Schutta traded blows with Holweg even briefly holding the top spot. Striker Brands pro, Hunter Wendt also skyrocketed up the Reel LiveWell App leaderboard and would settle into third place behind the dueling contenders threatening to claim his third victory of the season. Wendt wasn’t alone in his pursuit of Schutta as Matt Peters and Evan Blakley also kept the top five tight together.
As the afternoon wore on, Schutta would once again stretch his lead out and not only try to run away with a new boat, but also the distinguished Angler of the Year crown. Although his pace would slow significantly from his torrid morning bite it was nothing less than a stellar overall performance from the tour veteran.
This event, like any other Champions Tour Championship was filled with excitement and entertainment but also a quiet melancholy as anglers and staff alike knew that this would be the final time the Champions Tour was run under the gracious and upstanding leadership of MN Fishing Hall of Fame inductee and Champions Tour founder, Scott Bonnema.
Scott and Nancy Bonnema proudly paved the way for this tour to become one of the most noteworthy and exciting fishing circuits not just in the region, but in the country. As Bonnema hands the reigns to Champions Tour angler Dane Vocelka, he leaves behind a legacy that will stand permanently in the minds and hearts of anglers and fishing fans alike.
Despite a valiant effort, Matt Holweg would never again get within nine pounds of the lead as Schutta would rack up 94 scoreable bass, the second most in Champions Tour history on his way to 134 pounds and 7 ounces. Holweg and Hunter Wendt would also exceed the century mark in weight of fish at 123 pounds, and 115 pounds respectively. On a day where many anglers thought the lake could be stingy it took over 84 pounds just to cash a check and find yourself in the top ten. Anglers across the field praised not only Schutta’s historic performance but also the health and strength of Lake Minnewaska which put out just shy of 1,500 total bass to our 32 competitors in only eight hours of fishing.
Strategies and patterns varied across the lake, with clumps of coontail, deep weed edges, shallow docks, and shade lines all playing a factor in catching fish. Whether it was a jig, stickbait, a Ned rig, or a drop shot, anglers had no problems finding willing participants in the clear calm waters of Minnewaska.
For Schutta, it’s his first ever brand-new set of Skeeter Boat keys, his second overall tour victory, and his first ever AOY which he would win by 14 points over Dane Vocelka.
Hunter Wendt would claim YETI Big Bass with a 3-pound 15-ounce smallmouth, and Clayton Stoering would be dubbed the Wenzel’s Farm Major Mover for his second half performance.
The Champions Tour concludes another successful season in which it saw a record number of anglers, fans, sponsors, and overall support. The tour is excited for what the future holds under new guidance and leadership with full belief that it can continue to be the premier bass fishing tournament trail in the Midwest.
