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Big payouts, big bags, and a dominant start to the season<\/p>\n
Stop 1 of the Bass Pro Shops<\/a> and Cabela’s<\/a>National Walleye Tour<\/a> presented by Progressive<\/a> is in the books, with Lake Erie delivering big weights despite challenging conditions.<\/p>\n Pro Division Champion: Austin Tomasek<\/p>\n Total Weight: 86 lb. 9 oz.<\/p>\n Austin Tomasek put together the most consistent two-day performance of the event, separating himself from the field with nearly an 8-pound margin over second place.<\/p>\n With that win, Tomasek takes home:<\/p>\n Tomasek’s ability to stay dialed in across changing conditions proved to be the difference maker in a stacked field.<\/p>\n Tomasek on his win:<\/p>\n “I came into this event really confident. All week in practice we were on big fish, just staying on them and making sure they didn’t move. Honestly, 80 pounds felt very doable, so I’m not surprised by the weight \u2014 but to get it done here, close to home, with family around\u2026 it’s a dream come true.”<\/p>\n 2nd Place: Dylan Nussbaum<\/p>\n Total Weight: 78 lb. 10 oz.<\/p>\n Dylan Nussbaum made one of the biggest moves of the tournament, jumping from deep in the standings into second place with a massive final-day bag.<\/p>\n Nussbaum also earned:<\/p>\n Nussbaum on his comeback:<\/p>\n “I came into today sitting way back and honestly just decided to go fishing. First fish was an 8.5, then a 9.5 ten minutes later \u2014 it just kept going. To go from 40th to second like that, you really can’t ask for anything more.”<\/p>\n On his Garmin setup:<\/p>\n “My Garmin<\/a> electronics were everything today. Running that LVS34<\/a> out at 60 feet in shallow water let me see everything \u2014 even watching fish come up and hit the bait. In that muddy water, you had to be perfect, and that setup made all the difference.”<\/p>\n 3rd Place: Chad Schilling<\/p>\n Total Weight: 77 lb. 10 oz.<\/p>\n Chad Schilling stayed consistent across both days to secure a third-place finish, battling through one of the toughest weather weeks leading into the event.<\/p>\n Schilling takes home:<\/p>\n Schilling on the week:<\/p>\n “It was a brutal week of weather \u2014 tornadoes, snow, wind \u2014 but it finally paid us back today. After getting a solid start yesterday, I was able to stay relaxed and just hunt for the right fish. Honestly, just thankful to put it all together after how tough it started.”<\/p>\n Co-Angler Champion: David Yoder<\/p>\n Total Weight: 78 lb. 1 oz.<\/p>\n On the co-angler side, David Yoder leaned on adaptability and teamwork to secure the win, making the most of every opportunity throughout the event.<\/p>\n Yoder earned:<\/p>\n Yoder on his experience:<\/p>\n “We covered a lot of water and my pro, Dan Harper, did an incredible job putting us on fish. I learned a ton out there \u2014 running LiveScope<\/a>, fishing different areas \u2014 it was just a great experience all around. Honestly, I came out for a good time, and that’s exactly what it turned into.”<\/p>\n Thank You, Explore Monroe<\/a><\/p>\n A special thank you to Explore Monroe<\/a> for hosting Stop 1 of the Bass Pro Shops<\/a> and Cabela’s<\/a>National Walleye Tour<\/a> presented by Progressive<\/a>.<\/p>\n From launch to weigh-in, Monroe<\/a> proved to be the perfect stage for the season opener. Set on the legendary waters of Lake Erie, the region delivered not only incredible fishing, but also a welcoming atmosphere for anglers, families, and fans throughout the week.<\/p>\n Beyond the tournament, Monroe<\/a> showcased everything that makes it a premier destination. From waterfront views to local restaurants, shops, and attractions, the community played a key role in creating a memorable experience for everyone involved.<\/p>\n Final Takeaway<\/p>\n