Top walleye tourneys combine forces for Sandusky event

SANDUSKY — Two major walleye circuits will hold a joint weigh-in this weekend at the Shelby Street Boat Launch, combining forces for a mega-event that promises to produce big fish and big payouts. The Lake Erie Walleye Trail and the Masters Walleye Circuit both will set up shop in downtown Sandusky. The first flight of boats will head out to Lake Erie at 7 a.m. Friday. The two-day event will hold weigh-ins at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The public is welcome to attend. LEWT tourney director Jason Fischer expects the winners to weigh 10 fish that could total more than 65 pounds. Each team can weigh five walleyes each day. "Fishing is phenomenal right now. They're mostly done spawning and trying to eat," Fischer said. "The overall health of Lake Erie is great and the Ohio Division of Natural Resources has done a great job helping the walleye population flourish. "I'd imagine almost every team would come back with its five-fish limit." Fischer said the side-by-side tournaments will give anglers who compete in both an opportunity to win more prize money. Top teams will win about $10,000 in each tourney, but there are thousands more available in big fish pots and Ranger boat payouts. "Instead of competing, we're working together," Fischer said. "Guys come from all over the country to fish in this. These guys are really good. They know what they're doing. When they find the fish, they can put them in the boat." The LEWT has six qualifiers before its season-ending championship in Cleveland. The circuit's third qualifier will be held in Huron on May 14. The first 2022 LEWT qualifier was April 2 at Magee East near Oak Harbor. The team of Lucas Hahn and Russ Hannu finished first in the one-day event, winning $15,399. In addition to weighing five walleyes that totaled 36.23 pounds, they won the Ranger Cup and first place in the side pot. Hahn, a Huron native who now lives in Avon, teamed up with his father, Gordon, to finish second in last year's LEWT season standings. Anglers competing in the MWC tourney this weekend will be trying to earn a spot in the 2023 Bass Pro Shops/Cabela's World Walleye Championship, in Pierre, South Dakota. The MWC is North America's longest-running team walleye series, holding tournaments for 38 years. The MWC's first event this year was March 18-19 on the Illinois River near Spring Valley, Illinois. The winning team of Mike Hanson and J.J. Debernardi caught 10 walleyes that weighed 22 pounds, 12 ounces. Obviously, the fish will be bigger at Lake Erie. Last year, Scott and Michael Boswell won a one-day LEWT tourney in Port Clinton on April 17, weighing five fish that totaled 34.88 pounds. The weather report looks vastly different for the two days of this year's tourney. Friday's forecast calls for chilly temperatures with a chance of rain. Saturday is expected to be warm and sunny. "Looks like some east wind Friday, so the lake will be a little choppy, but Saturday looks beautiful," Fischer said. Fischer expects 109 LEWT teams and said the MWC will have 134 teams. Some will fish in both tournaments, so there should be about 150 boats — and a lot of adrenaline. "It adds to the excitement," Fischer said. "We all do this because we're competitive. We're old, washed-up athletes who go fishing and compete against each other, but everyone wants to have fun and do what they do while enjoying what Mother Nature has provided for us."