Long-A Bomber brand lures have been highly successful on Lake Erie in the last two years with their tight wiggle, rolling wobble action and internal ball-bearing noisemaker. The lures cost between $7 and $12 each at retail shops.
Photo by Forrest Fisher
Summertime is walleye tournament time in Chautauqua County. Tournament anglers visit us from near and far each weekend from June through September. The fishing competition activity is great for local businesses and has a measurable economic impact that is beneficial to everyone in our communities.
This coming weekend, the Eastern Basin Lake Erie walleye tournament scene will be quiet. That’s not a bad thing, as some of these competitive charter captain anglers need a rest. The charter anglers (who fish many tournaments) can finally take their customers fishing and earn their keep.
Next week, the biggest walleye fishing tournament gathers in Hanover, with the Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout, July 18-21. Beginning on Thursday, July 18, a new event for this tournament extravaganza will be featured with “Pre-Fish Pot Thursday.” This latest addition uses the “Fish Donkey App” and runs similarly to Big Fish Friday, except with the APP, anglers can monitor live updates.
It’s $100/boat to enter, and it pays the top three spots with 100% payback, at 50% for first place, 30% for second and 20% for third place. Final results will be announced later that day at the pre-tournament captain’s meeting beginning at 7 p.m. Angler teams must be signed up for the main event to participate ($500 entry), though registrations closed on June 30. The public is always welcome to join in on the weigh station fun at the Sunset Beach tournament site on each tournament day.
Continuing the next day with Big Fish Friday (July 19), fishing runs from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with weigh-in set for 5 p.m. The Main Event is scheduled for Saturday, July 20, with fishing from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the cooler drop deadline at 4:30 p.m. and the weigh-in show (TV) at 5:30 p.m. on the main stage. The main event will feature a shotgun start with competitor boats assembled about 300 yards north of the pier. The official waters for the tournament are limited to the New York state waters of Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River only. The Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout has become a world-class walleye tournament event with anglers traveling from more than 26 states! How do you spell BIG TOURNAMENT?! Last year, 164 teams reportedly competed; this year, the field has expanded to allow 200 teams. Captain Don Ruppert, tournament president, said the 2024 fishing tournament event is bigger and better than ever, with over $500,000 in cash and prizes. More details as the week goes on; it will be exciting.
In the 2023 Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout, Team “CRAZY EYES” won the top $25,000 first prize with 35.27 pounds to win the main event. Team members, from left, are: Will Baker, Captain Wesley Bartoo and Wyatt Bartoo, who were sponsored by Fish USA, Native Pride Travel Plaza and Muddy Creek Tackle. The 2024 contest is one week away.
Submitted Photo
The following weekend, July 27-28, Chautauqua County will again draw anglers from near and far. The two-day Bart’s Cove Walleye Duel-2 Lake Erie Walleye Tournament from Dunkirk Harbor will kick off with Tournament Director Mark Mohr. This tournament is Part 2 of the Integrity Walleye Series (IWS). In IWS-Part1, Tournament Director Bob Rustowicz said 45 teams registered for that one. However, he was forced to cancel the competition prompted by nasty weather and NOAA Small Craft Warnings.
“We will always err on the side of safety first,” Rustowicz said.
Competitors agreed.
The weekend after, on Aug. 2-4, 2024, the 20th annual Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Lake Erie Walleye Tournament will kick off for a three-day event featuring three fish/day for three days. There are lots of cash and prizes in this one, a traditional favorite of many competitors. The registration fee is minimal at $300, and the competition field allows 110 teams. Tournament Director Zen Olow said that he is briefly extending the registration period. If you know a friend who wants to try tournament fishing, this is a good one. Contact Olow at 716-640-2776 for an application and rule book.
Gotta love the outdoors.
CALENDAR
July 14: Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters-Summer Bass for Cash OPEN Tournament, Long Point Marina, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., $200/team entry. Info: 716-708-0330.
July 19-20: Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout, $500 entry, $500K prizes, six fish bag/one day, Info: Captain Don Ruppert, www.walleyeshootout.com.
July 27-28: Bart’s Cove Walleye Dual-2, Integrity Walleye Series (IWT-2), Dunkirk Harbor, three fish bag/day, two days, Info: Mark Mohr, 716-998-9871.
July 28: Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters, Cassadaga Lakes, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Info: 716-708-0330.
Aug. 2-4: 20th annual Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Walleye Tourney, $300 entry, Dunkirk Harbor, NCCC club weigh in each day, three fish bag/day, three days of fishing. Info and registration, contact Zen Olow, 716-640-2776.
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Long-A Bomber brand lures have been highly successful on Lake Erie in the last two years with their tight wiggle, rolling wobble action and internal ball-bearing noisemaker. The lures cost between $7 and $12 each at retail shops.
Photo by Forrest Fisher
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In the 2023 Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout, Team “CRAZY EYES” won the top $25,000 first prize with 35.27 pounds to win the main event. Team members, from left, are: Will Baker, Captain Wesley Bartoo and Wyatt Bartoo, who were sponsored by Fish USA, Native Pride Travel Plaza and Muddy Creek Tackle. The 2024 contest is one week away.
Submitted Photo