Sunday, November 26

Lake Erie can be an unfriendly place to fish, and today was no different.  Brycen and his dad, Frank Burkhart, decided to risk the elements and try to catch a Walleye Derby Fish.

Fishing the downtown Cleveland area of Lake Erie, Frank and Brycen figured out the bite.  Strong wind and strong current made their bandit lures fish improperly.  Once they realized boat position , speed and angle made their lures fish properly, the bite was on.

The fish were biting extremely soft. Most times the boards barely moved.  Frank was having a good day and had caught several fish, when Brycen noticed his board was slightly dragging.   Several cranks on the reel, he immediately knew he had a good fish. 

Brycen reeled the walleye to back of the boat when it rolled on the surface.  Frank, who was ready to net the fish, immediately realized it was Brycen’s biggest walleye ever!  The fish pulled some drag and made a final run.  Frank netted and the walleye was on the deck.

The 10lb 10oz, 29in walleye is a true trophy and gives Brycen a lead in the Junior Division of the Walleye Derby

 

The 2017 Walleye Derby Invitational on Lake Erie Ohio kicked off with a first day Big Fish Free Entry Bonus.   The angler who could weigh in the heaviest walleye on Day 1 would receive a 100 percent refund on their entry fee.    With holiday season quickly approaching the anglers,  whose wallets could use the money,  fished day and night to try to catch the heaviest walleye.

Weigh in is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 18th.   There is an estimate of 3 fisherman who will try to claim the 1 day Big Fish Free Entry Prize.   Great catches from Dana Jean Daughert-Klonowski, Bryan Zwilling and Ron Hudak are expected at the scales.

Every competitor must notify the Weigh master that he or she has caught a fish.  The request is noted and shared with the other anglers in the Walleye Derby in the form of a picture and a notation to STAND BY for the results.