Schroeder leads the way into the semi-final round

by Dave Landahl - 30.May.2002

Oshkosh, Wis.- Once again Lake Winnebago proved to be stingy with its limits of walleye today, but Ranger pro Leroy Schroeder of Larsen, Wis. charged into the day two lead with a hefty limit of walleye weighing 23 pounds 15 ounces. Holding on to the second spot was day one leader Ranger pro Tim Minnema of Markesan, Wis.

"I am ready for tomorrow," said Schroeder. "I really hope the big fish stay put in the area I am fishing. If they are there, I will catch them."

Schroeder doesn't need a full day of fishing to weigh big limits of walleye.

"For the last two days, I have had my limit in the boat early in the day," said Schroeder. "On day one I was done around 9:30 AM and today I had a limit by 9:15 AM. Maybe tomorrow I will be done even earlier, who knows."

Schroeder's two day total was 42 pounds 13 ounces.

Day two did not go as smoothly for Tim Minnema.

"I really struggled today," said Minnema. "I did not have the action early in the day like on day one. I got a bit nervous, but I stuck to my guns and ended up with a nice limit of walleye."

Minnema had a two day total of 36 pounds 8 ounces.

Experience pays off for Minnema.

"I have been fishing this lake since I was a little boy with my father," said Minnema. "My father taught me a lot about how to fish for walleye on this system and it has paid off so far."

Minnema is using the hand-lining method to present crankbaits to the walleye as they migrate back into Lake Winnebago. Although this method is unconventional, it has paid off thus far.

"It is no secret that I am hand-lining," said Minnema. "Everyone that is out there fishing has seen me doing it now. I just find that it is a very effective way to fish for walleye on this system as they make their way back to the big lake."

Rounding out the top five pros heading into tomorrow's semi-final round are in third, Mark Keenan of Menasha, Wis with 28 pounds 8 ounces, in fourth, Jason Przekurat of Stevens Point, Wis. with 27 pounds 6 ounces and in the fifth spot, Jim Minnema of Randolph, Wis. with 26 pounds 5 ounces.

Weights do not carry over into the semi-final or final round so all 20 competitors will be starting from scratch tomorrow as they compete for a chance at the finals and a first place prize valued at $90,000. The first place prize includes $50,000 cash and a fully rigged Ranger, Crestliner or Lund boat with an Evinrude or Yamaha Engine.

Co-angler Clark jumps into the lead

RCL co-angler Richard Clark of Mukwonago, Wis. heads into tomorrow's semi-final with high hopes.

"It is terrific news to find out that you made the semi-final cut," said Clark. "I really feel good about that and I will prepare for tomorrow."

Clark's two day total was 33 pounds 2 ounces.

The third place co-angler going into tomorrow's semi-final round is Kristine Szczech of St. Paul, Minn. Szczech and her pro partner Tim Herink of Plainfield, Ill. only caught three walleye today, but they were Wal-Mart quality fish.

"We caught Wal-Mart fish today," said Szczech. "My partner and I only caught three fish, but they averaged over 5 pounds a piece. The weight of these fish got me to Wal-Mart tomorrow."

The three fish Szczech and Herink caught weighed 16 pounds and 5 ounces giving her a two day total of 30 pounds 8 ounces.

The remaining top five co-anglers heading into the semi-final round are in second, Keith Strauss of Syracuse, Ind with 31 pounds 5 ounces and in fourth is John Solek of Indianapolis, Ind. with 28 pounds 1 ounce. Solek is currently leading the RCL co-angler of the year field. If Solek wins the co-angler of the year title he will receive free co-angler entry fees into next year's RCL circuit. In the fifth spot is Michael Dutton of Kaukauna, Wis. with a total of 27 pounds 13 ounces.

The co-anglers are competing for a first place prize of $15,000 cash.

The semi-final round will start tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM at the Pioneer Resort and Marina located at 1000 Pioneer Drive in Oshkosh, Wis. The number at the marina is (800) 683-1980.

The semi-final and final round weigh-ins will be held at the Oshkosh Wal-Mart located at 2035 S. Koeller Street starting at 4:00 PM.

Quick stats

Number of boats: 144

Total fish weighed in: 459

Total weight: 985 pounds 11 ounces

Limits caught: 16