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Cat's Incredible 2006 Results


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Place-Team-Names, City/State, No. Caught- Total Weight, Winnings (to 35th Place.)

1-92-Travis Carter and Pat Carter, Jefferson, S.D., 10-84.05, $4,000.

2-64-Matthew Carter and Darrell Carter, Elk Point, S.D., 10-82.76, $2,500.

3-96-Larry Vanderhoff and Linda Vanderhoff, GF, 10-82.02, $2,000.

4-6-Jeff Twomey and Darrell Utzinger, St. Paul and EGF, 10-79.39, $1,000.

5-74-David Nord and Kevin Giezten, GF, 10-78.68, $750.

6-8-Heath Hodgson and Bill Murray, EGF, 10-78.39, $650.

7-120-John Anderson and Tony Weber, EGF, 9-77.59, $550.

8-20-Joe Miller and Mike Howard, GF, 10-76.06, $500.

9-24-Gary Grosz and Darin Grosz, GF and Elbow Lake, Minn., 10-75.90, $450.

10-87-Jesse C. West and Teresa Meyer, Strandquist, Minn., 8-74.98, $400.

11-52-Jason Deziel and Dave Thompson, GF, 10-74.63, $350.

12-51-Jason Lothspeich and Randy Byzewski, GF, 10-73.02, $300.

13-108-Jimmy Yowell and Larry Yowell, Chillicothe, Mo. and Kirksville, Mo. -9-72.84, $275.

14-23-Eric Heath and Jeff Heath, EGF, 10-72.49, $250.

15-100-Scott Garner and Greg Micko, St. Paul Park, Minn., and Cottage Grove, Minn., 10-71.38, $200.

16-58-John Brundin and Marty Berg, GF, 9-71.00, $200.

17-130-Jeni Kiefer and Mike Kiefer, GF, 7-70.01, $200.

18-47-Mark Hartman and Dean Opatz, Belle Plaine, Minn., and Jordan, Minn., 10-69.63, $200.

19-37-Kristie Friedrichs and Ernie Friedrichs, Merrifield, Minn., 8-68.95, $200.

20-27-Jeff Johnson and Curtis Havig, GF, 9-68.00, $200.

21-136-Kelly Clement and John Steinmetz, Shakopee, Minn., 9-67.67, $200.

22-98-Marv Robinson and Todd Biederman, Battle Lake, Minn., 8-67.36, $200.

23-22-Mick Messelt and Shawn Aaker, EGF, 8-67.00, $200.

24-10-Wade Anderson and Robert Anderson, EGF, 7-66.90, $200.

25-54-Jeffery Rusling and Noel Rusling, EGF and Crookston, 10-66.12, $200.

26-141-Larry Dorsch and Tim Hager, Auburn, Neb., 8-65.62, $150.

27-26-Tyler Messelt and Dany Messelt, EGF, 7-64, $150.

28-2-Jeff Zak and Merle Hoverson, EGF, 10-64.86. $150.

29-11-Christian Meland and Terry Meland, GF, 9-64.67, $125.

30-35-Shane Feltman and Marv Feltman, GF, 9-64.21, $125.

31-71-Adam Olson and Lynn Dalen, GF, 9-63.98, $125.

32-146-B.J. Boushee and Kevin Boushee, EGF, 7-63.97, $100.

33-116-Gary Johnson and Arthur Johnson, McVille, N.D. and Petersburg, N.D., 7-63.70, $100.

34-103-Phillip Jeffery and Jason Kalt, GF, 7-63.59, $100.

35-112-Dave Hodgson and Darin Gador, GF and Thompson, N.D., 6-63.49, $100.

36-5-Paul Hedlund and Michael Hedlund, Osseo, Minn., and EGF, 10-63.27.

37-28-Nathan Mytych and Aaron Johnson, GF, 10-62.50.

38-138-Gary Mounce and Bonnie Mounce, Nebraska City, Neb., 7-62.16.

39-50-Troy Weber and Jesse Weber, EGF, 8-62.02.

40-55-Todd Mishler and Larry Mishler, GF and EGF, 8-61.95.

41-40-Allen LaFave and Chad LaFave, GF, 7-61.62.

42-126-Cory Stejskal and Jim Schulz, GF, 10-61.57.

43-90-Rick Nygaard and Randall Carriger, GF and Cokato, Minn., 8-61.04.

44-150-Ken Narlock and Shawn Mager, GF and EGF, 9-60.68.

45-63-Iver Hensrud and Lee Hensrud, Mekinock, N.D. and GF, 6-60.28.

46-14-Tyler Gagnon and Jason Gagnon, GF and Dodge Center, Minn., 7-59.82.

47-118-Jason Schiller and Steve Quam, GF and Roseville, Minn., 10-59.23.

48-102-Rick Corbett and Brian Seng, GF, 6-58.55.

49-143-Dave Christensen and Pat Miller , Maddock, N.D., and Minnewauken, N.D., 10-57.38.

50-48-Casey Clement and Dave Clement, EGF, 10-57.16.

51-95-Matt Wedde and Jeff Preuss, New York Mills, Minn., , 9-57.14.

52-80-Steve Lothspeich and Mark Lothspeich, Black Hawk, S.D., and GF, 8-56.89.

53-75-Lee Bell and Paul Tomaselli, GF, 10-56.78.

54-89-Mike Vacura and Daryll Foss, Roseau, Minn., and Lake Bronson, Minn., 9-56.01.

55-83-Dustin Lunski and Jason Schumacher, GF, 7-55.74.

56-4-Joel Barrow and Larry Barrow, Lincoln, Neb., 10-55.52.

57-111-Jeff Sime and Austin Sime, GF, 5-55.19.

58-18-Scott Jordheim and Jeff Jordheim, EGF, 5-55.12.

59-79-Ryan Boline and Brandon Bies, Devils Lake, N.D., and Fargo 9-54.89.

60-1-Darrin Lunski and Troy Srnsky, GF and Warren, Minn., 10-54.56.

61-149-Todd Benson and Greg Sand, GF and Andover, Minn., 10-53.19.

62-145-Bill Sackenreuter and Bruce Hagen, Devils Lake, 6-52.77.

63-65-Nick Muntean and Jim Muntean, Shore View, Minn., and Maplewood, Minn., 6-52.75.

64-125-Michael Boushee and Jered Worden, GF and Manvel, N.D., 6-52.45.

65-17-Thomas Gennes and James Hallick, Warroad, Minn., and GF, 4-52.16.

66-131-Jerry Wenzel and Mark Swenson, GF, 8-51.30.

67-81-Reed Hjelle and Garret Hjelle, EGF, 6-50.96.

68-43-Ken Coauette and Jim Perkins, EGF, 7-50.73.

69-19-Don Oster and Ryan Oster, GF, 8-50.65.

70-68-Brady Flaten and Nate Molstad, Wolf Point, Mont. and Glasgow, Mont., 8-50.07.

71-122-Mike Brundin and Jamie Brundin, EGF and GF, 8-49.36.

72-99-Billy Cariveau and Marty Cariveau, Fargo and EGF, 8-49.32.

73-49-Michael Romans and Geoff Swendseid, Hallock, Minn., and Stephen, Minn., -5-49.17.

74-119-Mark Soeby and Joshua Soeby, GF, 7-49.01.

75-3-Larry Kuehn and Steve Pearson, Alvo, Neb., and Lincoln, Neb., 9-48.90.

76-44-Tom Westra and Ann Westra, Moorhead 6-48.35.

77-124-Rusty Miller and Bruce Mosher, Crookston, and Beltrami, Minn., 8-47.29.

78-144-Tanner Baker and Daryle Gomez, Lincoln, Neb., 7-47.00.

79-121-Francis Allard and Greg Schleif, GF and EGF, -5-46.72.

80-46-Greg Cremers and Ken Cremers, EGF and GF, 7-46.40.

81-78-Mike Compeau and Rick Compeau, EGF, 5-46.39.

82-41-Darrin Abernathey and Harold Nowatzki, GF and Langdon, N.D., 10-46.34.

83-132-Ralph Miller and John Howard, GF, 5-46.09.

84-72-Steve Walsh and Gerald Litzinger, Mekinock, N.D., and GF, 6-45.46.

85-101-Rod Heinitz and Steve Barry, Hillsboro, N.D., and GF, 7-44.35.

86-16-Cason Weber and Phil Hartwig, EGF, 5-43.73.

87-25-Lee Adamson and Andre Fortune, GF and EGF6-43.47.

88-77-Thomas Kyllo and Karry Kyllo, Buxton, N.D., and GF, 5-42.77.

89-140-Alfred Gagnon and Perry Gagnon, GF, 3-42.61.

90-106-Steve Litzinger and Tony Litzinger, GF and Middle River, Minn., 3-42.46.

91-85-John Lindquist and Tim Lindquist, GF, 5-42.15.

92-94-Matt Gillies and Jeremy Krog, EGF, 6-42.04.

93-38-Mike Stauss and Lee Kohl, GF and Emerado, N.D., , 4-40.80.

94-69-Tammy Nordine and John Nordine, GF, 6-39.63.

95-32- Brandon Oby and Victor Moreno Jr., St. Thomas, N.D., and Hoople, N.D., 3-38.61.

96-110-Kris Newman and Brian Stennes, GF, 5-38.50.

97-117-Martin Magnusson and Terrence Anderson, GF, 5-37.86.

98-127-Brandon Olson and Charles Olson, GF, 7-36.87.

99-59-Rod Smette and Terry Hecht, EGF, 4-36.54.

100-109-Beau Abbey and Brad Abbey, Fargo, N.D., and Baudette, Minn., 9-35.90.

101-36-Dwight Bedard and Jon Bedard, Hallock, Minn., 5-35.11.

102-93-Carter Narum and Bill Nowatzki, GF and Edinburg, N.D., 6-34.20.

103-7-Brian Rud and Dwaine Rud, GF and Stephen, Minn., 5-33.87.

104-29-Wayne Pietruszewski and Rick Livermore, EGF and Detroit Lakes, Minn., 3-33.76.

105-61-Kevin Frohlich and Jerry Sersland, GF, 4-33.40.

106-67-Marc Stennes and Kyle Bry, Reynolds, N.D., and GF, 3-32.41.

107-128-Wade St. Germain and Phil Sillanpaa, Argyle, Minn., and Newfolden, Minn., 4-31.94.

108-15-Brian Nelson and Jim Rood, EGF and GF, 8-31.90.

109-56-Rob Horken and Greg Stennes, EGF, 4-29.57.

110-82-Brad Johnson and John Kallock, GF and Oslo, Minn., 3-29.41.

111-84-Steve Mattern and Cole Mack, GF and EGF, 4-29.40.

112-34-Christopher Hanson and Shannon Martin, Plymouth, Minn., and Thief River Falls, 6-29.28.

113-104-William Crocker and Joel Tangen, GF, 2-29.17.

114-113-David Freihage and Eric Freihage, Pisgah, Iowa, 5-28.84.

115-9-Scott Enright and Michael Bruggeman, EGF and Erskine, Minn., 4-27.83.

116-134-David Pesch and Tim Pesch, EGF, 3-27.80.

117-88-Colin Ryan and J.T. Anderson, GF, 4-27.68.

118-91-David L. Nelson and Bradley Nelson, Moorhead and Drayton, N.D., 4-27.27.

119-129-Harvey Akridge and Eric Nelson, GF, 3-27.03.

120-60-Tyler Dokken and Alex Vournas, Williston, N.D., and TRF, 6-26.98.

121-21-Nick Brekke and Matt Bies, EGF, 5-26.87.

122-148-Dennis Griffin and Troy Telander, GF and West Fargo, N.D., 7-26.58.

123-73-Mike Laschktwitsch and Steve Pich, GF and Mandan, N.D., 6-26.57.

124-147-Tim Gomez and Richard Nelson, Lincoln, Neb., and GF, 5-25.26.

125-76-Brian Horner and Ben Moen, GF, 2-24.59.

126-135-Marc Kurz and Tyler Murphy, Thompson, N.D., 3-23.57.

127-13-Thearon Helgeson and Randy Helgeson, EGF, 2-23.07.

128-31-Charles Gust and Teri Hammarback, EGF, 3-22.44.

129-42-Jeff Coulter and Ryan Flaten, EGF and GF, 4-21.05.

130-105-Paul Scott and John Deschauer, GF and Pick City, N.D., 2-20.70.

131-107-Gordon Graetz and Cody Graetz, Arvilla, N.D., 3-20.62.

132-33-Sarah McDonald and Tom McDonald, EGF, 2-19.86.

133-115- Rodger Haugtvedt and Rick Confer Jr., , Warren, Minn., and GF, 4-17.85.

134-142-Wilbur Vanderhoff and Donald Vanderhoff, Glendale, Ariz., and Clewiston, Fla., 4-15.38.

135-57-Steve Abbey and Andrew Lamoureux, EGF and GF, 4-14.99.

136-62-Jeffrey Metz and Douglas Neumiller, Jamestown, N.D., and Medina, N.D., 5-14.54.

137-137-Shannon Swedin and Jared Roach, GF and Manvel, N.D., 2-13.76.

138-45-Jeff Boman and Brian Jones, Thief River Falls, Minn., 2-13.72.

139-114-Tom Barbour and Craig Koonce, Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Conrad, Iowa, 6-13.32.

140-86-LeRoy Swenson and Kevin Swenson, Kennedy, Minn., and Hallock, Minn., 5-12.24.

141-123-Don Boone and Todd Johnston, Crookston, 2-11.58.

142-139-Brad Nelson and Kevin Thompson, EGF, 4-11.58.

143-53-Randy Ostgard and Jacob Ostgard, GF, 1-6.57.

144-97-Ben Litzinger and Andrew Erickson, GF, 2-4.43.

145-30-Michael Johnson and Chris Dolan, Drayton, N.D., and Crystal, Minn., 1-4.38.

146-12-Jamie Lembke and Don Dietz, GF, 0-0.

147-39-Patrick Johnson and Charles Deavers, Omaha, Neb., and Pisgah, Iowa, 0-0.

148-66-Tim Brooks and Rich Langoria, EGF and GF, 0-0.

149-70-Dennis Larsen and William Ostenberg, Crookston 0-0.

150-133-Alan Coxe and Mike Noland, GF, 0-0.

Average Weight/Fish-7.46 pounds.

Average Weight/Fish 7.090609244 pounds Saturday.

Average Weight 7.27 pounds Sunday.

Largest Fish-Team 6, Jeff Twomey and Darrel Utzinger, 22.14 pounds.

2nd Largest Fish-Team 77, Thomas Kyllo and Karry Kyllo, 19.71 pounds.

Total number of fish caught, 938

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No Problem Scoot!

I just wanted to brag up my team a little bit! wink.gif J/K!

We had a very difficult time finding fish. Not quite sure why yet though?

Everybody else sure looked like they caught them so I'm not sure what our problem was. confused.gif

Oh well... chalk one up to learning experience and hope to try it again next year.

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Wow! That a whole lot of names! People from all over the country. Florida, Arizona, Montana.

Where is yours and Cat Man Lee's names on that list? I saw Rusty's and Bruce's. Musta missed it. I'll look again.

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Would someone like to take a guess as to why no team in the top 10 last year was able to duplicate that this year? Or for that matter only 2 top 20 teams last year were able to crack the top 20 this year. I've got a theory but I'll let some other people take a crack at it.

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Quote:

Where is yours and Cat Man Lee's names on that list?


Dan. Look down farther. tongue.gif

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Ahhh, now I see 'em. Oh well that aint too bad. If that walleye was a cat that might have boosted you guys up to about 40 lbs. total?

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Cat Ferret, my guess.....Luck was not shining on them this year!

Lots of Big weights this year. Those top SD teams were using the super top secret bait no doubt!!!

CurtQ has a good report from the Cats incredible on his radio show today. To hear it go to the LOTW forum and open the link at the top of the page.

fiskyknut

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Hard to say why the top finishers from last year didn't have success this year. I think it is luck as well. I believe 11 of the top 15 teams from last year were fishing the north side this year. The water on the north side is quite low, very low in some stretches. Boats were bumping bottom and getting hung up all over on the river. We even had the view from behind when a few tagged some deadheads while running fast. Ouch! The low water may have changed people's game plans. Would you rather be fishing or idling the boat around? The ability to make longer distance moves was not really an option. I don't know.

I wish I knew what that super top secret bait those SD guys were using. I know we could have used some! grin.gif

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As always, I'm sure luck played a role. However, I've heard from several people that those who fished deep and stayed deep in their more traditional spots struggled for the most part. Those who fished shallower water and nearer shore generally did better.

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When you realy think about it, skill is not a huge part of this tournament. If you put that many boats in such a small area and all them lines in the water. Every one is fishing the same stuff... Deep, corners, snags, shorlines.. and such... It is all in who picks the right spot first and the luck of the anchor drop. Every one is useing the same baits and most of the same presentations. It only makes sence, Them cats are roaming all over the place, just because some one caught big fish there a few days ago does not mean they will be there all weekend. Some spots do hold fish but after all that boat traffic and sinkers plunking all day they will move and wonder to take shelter.

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Thanks for the report Scoot.

I think this was a especially chalanging event this season. I see names I know all over the board, and many I don't right in the mix.

Congrats to all the teams!

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We were fishing "deeper" areas, so add another team to that list. I was in depression yesterday about our placing in the tournament. frown.gif But, what can you do, but wait for next year to come around...right? The suckiest thing about this whole deal, is on ALMOST any day of the year I can go out and catch well over 30lbs of fish a day 2-24"+ and 3-under...no problem. tongue.gif But I can't seem to do it during this tournament? Grrrrrrr.

Even so, I still had fun fishing the tournament again this year and hope to be back again next year.

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Quote:

Would someone like to take a guess as to why no team in the top 10 last year was able to duplicate that this year? Or for that matter only 2 top 20 teams last year were able to crack the top 20 this year. I've got a theory but I'll let some other people take a crack at it.


It could have something to do with adjustments made from last year to this year but I doubt it. Last year the fish were located in different areas, therefore other teams different locations paid off & last years teams stuck to their strategy from last year? Maybe it had something to do with North and South ramps (Hanson's comment). That is a good question and I'd be glad to hear your response.

I agree with Rusty's assessment almost 100% on the skill and luck factor. Although, as a fisherman who loves tournaments I can't believe that it's all luck....otherwise why would I ever fish these things? I'm sure the people in the top 35 feel that skill played a big part. Then individuals like myself, who feel they know a great deal about Catfishing, don't do well..... and cry LUCK! It is probably a combination of both. Maybe 60% luck 40% skill. Here is a small synopsis of my Cats Incredible weekend and some questions that I have:

We were working our butts off and fishing right where you know the cats should be located, but for whatever reason we were obviously in the wrong locations. I heard all the stories about teams missing big bites and losing fish.....I wish I could say that happened to us but it didn't. We landed nearly every fish that bit our rods with authority but finished with just over 50 pounds and 70th place. I picked so many brains this weekend of the teams that did well and this is what I came up with.

1) Outside bends

2) Shallow Water

3) Shallow Water snags

4) Mid river runs and drops

5) Sitting in one place all weekend** Talked one of the top 5 teams and they said they fished North of the boat landing on the South Ramp....."we picked a spot that doesn't look very good and we only moved once all weekend. Oh, and then we moved right back to our spot." How frustrating is that. This team ended up with over 79 pounds of fish.

6)Running and Gunning- Moving at least every 45 Minutes

Conclusion: Basically there is not one single pattern that worked for each and every team. I have fished Cats Incredible for 3 years in a row now and I feel that the Catfish behavior is very unpredictable during this weekend. We didn't sit in one place or fish one type of location. We tried to vary it up, used fresh bait...a variety of baits. We tried every location mentioned by the leaders and gave each spot an ample amount of time. I also have a lot to learn about this tourney....although I'm not quite sure what that is yet. I honestly think next year, if I get in, I'm going to go totally unconventional and see how it plays out.

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Went back and looked at "04" results. Not one team has been able to place in the top 10 in 2 of the last 3 years. Please don't take my post the wrong way, I'm not trying to take anything away from teams who have placed high the last few years, but doesn't anyone else find that funny. Let's say I've got a 150 teams in 3 different buckets(same teams in each bucket). I draw 10 teams from those 3 buckets and not one matches up? This probably isn't making any sense. Let's try this approach, we know that there are a few teams in the tourny that are very good catfisherman, why haven't they been able to seperate themselves. There have been a few teams that have been able to place in the top 20 2 out of 3 years, which I think is awesome. With that said I'd put the luck/skill ratio at 90/10.

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This river is changing daily and you have got to match that with how you fish it. I for one try to match that each and every time out. If the water is falling fish the snags and the deep stuff. If the water is raising I fish shallow. With the rain we had on Sat night how many of you fish in water as shallow as one foot. I'm guessing not many, when people say this fish shallow I'm guessing they mean in 3 to five feet of water.

As far as my thought on how good the angler is. That all depends on how much time they spend on the river. If a guy spends four or five nights a week fishing the river I would say that he knows the river and what the fish have been doing. He would also know if they are deep, shallow or holding to some other types of structure. If he would place high would you call it luck, not me, I would say he paid his dues and used it to his adventage.

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I would say he paid his dues, yes. I also know that there is SOME luck involved...you have to admit that. The teams that "consistantly" place fairly high, have certain locations they ALWAYS fish. I saw it this past weekend with a few top 15-teams. They fish high percentage areas that usually pay off. Why do you think they place 6th, 2nd, then 97th? That year, "the spots" didn't work for them. Then, next year it'll probably pay off again...I know there is no substitute for time on a certain body of water. I might not place high every year in this Tournament, but I do know it's only a matter of time. If I lived closer to GF and was able to get over there and fish more than 3-4 times a year, and put together a bunch of "good spots" I would be doing better. I might not do well every year, but most!

I think true, "Knowledge of fishing" means, you can go out on ANY body of water and do well...not just on your "home" water! Go on any body of water and catch fish? I might not be able to put 80lbs of fish in the boat during this tournamnent, but I can go out on almost any body of water and put fish in the livewell on any given day.

More power to everyone who finished well this year, I do congratulate you. You beat me? I'm still amazed at the weights caught this year, It's amazing that 70 teams caught over 50lbs of fish!!! Usually around 60lbs will put you in the top 15, but not even close this year, Plus there were only 5 teams that got skunked. Look at the results from the past, this year was amazing.

It's just too bad I wasn't in on the fun? grin.gif

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I was just going to comment on a couple of the teams that placed in the top 15 that I'd talked with during the weekend.

Team #87 Jesse West & Teresa Meyer are friends of CatManLee's. They fished north and we BS'd before the take offs and after the weigh-ins. We briefly chatted as well when passing on the river. On day 1, they set up in a good spot and stuck a nice fish ASAP. They found a few more fish that day as well to put together a nice day 1 total. On day 2, they put together a good pattern and hit big fish, and many big fish in multiple spots. These spots were all very similar, just in different parts of the river. They figured it out for day 2 and headed in early to weigh a good limit of fish. I wouldn't say it was luck or maybe it was. They were able to figure out a pattern and it paid off!

The other guys I had chatted with were from Missouri, I believe it was Team #108 and they finished 13th. They have fished the Cat's Incredible for 6 years now and if I'm not mistaken, only fish the Red during the Cat's Incredible weekend. I think they were up on Wednesday to pre-fish and fished Wed, Thurs, Fri and then the tournament. In those few days, and relying on past tournament experience, they had a number of spots they wanted to fish for the tournament and worked them pretty good. I remember him saying though they fished a spot on Sunday that didn't produce fish for them on Saturday. Guess what, they smacked 5 fish in a row out of that spot, 3 slot fish & 2 piggies. They packed up and headed to the weigh-in early.

I'm not sure where I was going with that but that was the stories from 2 of the top 15 teams this year. The guys from Missouri fished a spot that hadn't produced fish for them on the previous day. I think thats where I would have screwed up and just passed it by on day 2. They also said they worked the heck out of small stretches of river. Rather than running all over the place, they fished in 1 spot, and then moved 50-100 yards and fished again and continued to do so down the river.

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The other guys I had chatted with were from Missouri, I believe it was Team #108 and they finished 13th. They have fished the Cat's Incredible for 6 years now and if I'm not mistaken, only fish the Red during the Cat's Incredible weekend. I think they were up on Wednesday to pre-fish and fished Wed, Thurs, Fri and then the tournament. In those few days, and relying on past tournament experience, they had a number of spots they wanted to fish for the tournament and worked them pretty good. I remember him saying though they fished a spot on Sunday that didn't produce fish for them on Saturday. Guess what, they smacked 5 fish in a row out of that spot, 3 slot fish & 2 piggies. They packed up and headed to the weigh-in early.


Hanson....they (Missou Boys) also said they felt they lucked out. The spot they fished was their 3rd choice because their other three spots were being fished by other boaters. Would those fish have been there 3 hours later if they would have gone there then? We'll never know. I think the Missou boys are skilled fisherman but they also claimed luck was on their side. I also agree with Catman that some people just have their spots and they worked out. I truly don't know if you can put a so called "pattern" on these fish during this tourney. 100 boats in a 20 Mile stretch of river is a lot of pressure and another 50 on the North ramp in 8 miles is serious pressure. I feel we fished prime fish locations as well and didn't get the fish.

Quote:

As far as my thought on how good the angler is. That all depends on how much time they spend on the river. If a guy spends four or five nights a week fishing the river I would say that he knows the river and what the fish have been doing. He would also know if they are deep, shallow or holding to some other types of structure. If he would place high would you call it luck, not me, I would say he paid his dues and used it to his advantage.


I agree with this statement to an extent but conditions change when there is that many boats on the water. Take the Grand Forks Catfish League members…… most members didn't do that well a few did but most did not.....Rusty Miller knocked the fish dead pre-fishing and knows where the fish are, shallow, deep, structure, etc….who knows the water better than those guys? It surely is not the two teams that were 1st and 2nd. I would love to say I put the Cats on a pattern, I guess that is every tournament fisherman’s goal, but I obviously didn't accomplish that this weekend. I hope in the future to do that, but Cat Ferret makes a great point “why is there no team that is consistently finishing in the top 20” if it’s so skillful. Again I’m taking nothing away from the teams that were successful this weekend, I sure wish I was in your shoes. It’s just an enigma to me.

Tim Scott, editor in chief of ProCats, wrote this in an email to me early last week “Winning, mind you, is not exactly just 1st place in the tournament. In a tournament like that being in the upper 30% consistently is a great feat. If a team could consistently place in the top ten-- that’s an incredible feat. Luck, strategy, time on the particular body of water, and other factors are all in play.”

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Big Cat Dad, I just wanted to let yoou know if you fished North. The lenght of water North and South is just about the same. It is between 12 and 15 miles both ways. With 100 boat max one way, that left 50 boats fishing North this year.

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I did fish South this year and actually there is over 20 miles of river to fish to the thompson bridge. From the ramp itself to the Thompson bridge is 20 miles and that is not including the area from the ramp to the dam. I'm not sure what the North ramp was but I've heard 12 miles and 8....not sure on that. I did GPS the South ramp however and have taken the trip to thompson bridge each time and all around 20 miles.

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Big Cat Dad, I totally agree with the quote at the end of your post. It's funny, when I hear people say that winning is primarily due to luck, I like to look at how poorly they placed in the tourney. It's amazing how 99+% of the time you can find the claimers of "it's all just luck" in the bottom 25%.

The winners of any one tourney likely need some luck on their side, but I firmly believe that the cream generally tends to rise to the top. Finishing high in the tourney year after year is an accomplishment and is definitely a sign that you're doing something right and know a little something...

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ibwhnt, no one is discrediting your championship in "oo". There's no doubt your one of the top cat anglers on the red. But I disagree with some of your theories. If it's all about time on the water, why did teams from S.D. go 1,2 this year. I know for a fact that there are no cat waters in south dakota that closely resemble the red, so they are not getting great practice "at home". I would bet that they haven't set foot on the red since last years tourny, they probable didn't even prefish. From what I heard there was only about 10% of the teams prefishing. So they went out and did the exact same thing they did last year, and this time it worked for them.

I know what your saying about adjusting to conditions, but those need to be made before the start of the day for the most part. If your tactics don't work in the first couple of hours your probably screwed. I'd bet the majority of the big weights for a day are done fishing early. I guess what I'm saying is that I'd be surprised if there were many teams that had trouble early on and totaly changed there tactics mid-day, and did well.

Big cat dad fished south which is 22 river miles. North is 11. For the last few years there have been close to 100 teams fishing south and 50 fishing north, thus leaving the same amount of boat traffic.

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I just finished checking results for the last 5 tourny's:

No team has been able to place in the top 10 more then twice. The only teams to do it twice are:

1. The Feltman's 2nd "03", 6th "04"

2. The Yowell's 7th "03", 2nd "04"

3. Robinson/Biederman 9th in "02" and "04"

4. Kevin Gietzen w/diff. partners 8th "02", 5th "06"

5. Barrow's 4th in "05", larry-1st "03", Joel-10th "02"

Now I'm not saying these guy's aren't cream, because I think what they did was amazing, but to say that cream rises to the top in this tourny doesn't hold much water.

Just for comparison purposes, I help run a cat tourny in Montana. In the last two years, 7 teams went back to back top 10 finishes.

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So, what are you saying? It's all luck on the Red? Your tourney in Montana takes skill and this one doesn't? A random selection would do just as good to determine the winner? Put all tourney angler's name in a hat and pick them to determine place? The fisherman from SD aren't any good and just lucky? Seems to me you're pretty much implying all or some of the questions above. I happen to disagree with pretty much all of it.

If given enough tourneys and enough time, the cream will rise. I could beat Chris Moneymaker in one hand of poker, but so what. I might even beat him over the course of an hour or two- so what. He'd crush me over time. This will also be the case with this tourney (and pretty much all tourneys). Five years is a relatively short time window and top ten is a very difficult bar to meet. However, rest assured that the better fisherman will out produce the lesser ones relatively consistently over time.

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I thought I made my point pretty clear. If anyone besides scoot doesn't get it, speak up and I'll try to make it clearer.

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Well here is my Opinion on the whole deal.

On Most days I can hit the Red and do pretty well, I do business there so I have to know what I am doing. However, I do not know it all and I hope I never will. Most of the fun is learning a sport and trying to always make it better.. any how.

From 1999 to 2006, skipping 2001. I placed 116, 96, 52, 14, 43, 77. Like I said I am not an Expert at Catfishing,and I don't believe any one is or can be. It's the nature of the beast. But I do feel I am pretty good at it and reading the fishing locations and narrowing down the areas I think they will be in. Many spots I had picked out for going to do not always work. For one reason, you can only pick one fishing spot first. Then you have all the other boats picking their spots.. Now some of your spots are full... Ok.. .Catfish roam like crazy, they cover miles a day in river systems, so what holds catfish to a spot? Will that spot hold fish after and during motor boats are roaring over them all day long? I do not believe there is a real pattern in finding cats on Heavy traffic days like that. If you have 5 spots picked out and now you have to pick one of them first and dont find any good cats. Some one else picks your second choice and hits a monster cat.. Who was lucky enough to pick that spot first? There is always some skill involved, nowing what bait to use, how to rig it up and hook setting and reading bites are skill... Picking that magic spot, Pretty good luck. Or just lucky enough to get there first.

No matter what it is still a very good time and the competition is very tough and good friends are made.

The north end is much shorter than the South end. From the south landing to the Thompson Bridge is 19.5 miles. The North end is only about 12 miles. That is a lot of boats packed into a few fishing spots.

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Well put Rusty! I still agree that it is probably THE best Catfish tournament out there and it is a great time. I'm just a very analytical person and like to ask the question....WHY? Maybe my ego is a little hurt after putting in a decent showing last year at 33rd and wanting to improve and not being able too. Whatever the case I'm sure I'll be in the lottery next year and hoping to get in. I have made a lot of friends as a result of this tourney and am looking forward to next year.

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Well said there Rusty!

Brady, I'm right there with ya buddy. Finishing that low in the standings is definitely a blow to the ego. grin.gif All I do in the summer is catfish. Thats it. Flatheads & Channel cats a couple times a week most of the summer. I would consider myself a pretty good catfish angler but what I do lack is experience, lots of experience. And the only way to gain that experience is to keep fishing, for many years. Rivers are just so much more dynamic than lakes and the fish respond to changing conditions accordingly, seasonly and over time.

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I don't consider myself lucky and I'm no expert. It's like wiskers said you are always learning something. It just a matter of putting that little something away and pulling it out when you need it.

Since winning in 2000 I have placed 76 with boat troubles and the same fishing partner, 38th with my 8yr old son and new partner, 32nd, missed cut, then 16th. Pulled out this year due to a booking from a fellow from Minot AFB that is going to Iraq. I didn't want anything to happen to the boat since this guy I think really needs this trip before leaving for a year.

With those finishes I beleive that time on the river pays off. Time will tell and you always have the lucky ones and those ones that can fish that can always beat you on any giving day.

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