News

AIM International Championship won by Local Chad Schilling

2011-09-24T12:46:22Z

Akaska Provides Drama and Contrasts

Anglers Insight Marketing
Published September 21, 2011

The AIM Championship on Lake Oahe offered something for every competitor. Few tournaments can match the diversity offered by the expansive Lake Oahe. The water level of Lake Oahe was about 6-feet above normal, still swollen by above-average winter snows and spring rains. Under normal conditions, the lake comprises 370,000 acres with over 2,000 miles of shoreline over its 231 mile total length, stretching into North Dakota. This year, the water flooded areas that would otherwise have been rocky and brushy shoreline.

What all this water meant was that any memories from past tournaments were useless this year. The lake was essentially “brand new” for every competitor – with one main exception: Akaska native and AIM Pro Angler Chad Schilling, who also guides on Lake Oahe on a daily basis.

The unpredictable weather that characterizes the wide open plains of South Dakota offered additional challenges. The AIM competitors typically spend several days, up to a full week “pre-fishing” before each tournament in order to uncover locations and presentations that can be exploited. Almost predictably, conditions change just before the tournament and the Pros need to resort to “Plan B – or C and D, and E! Such was the case when the tournament kicked off on September 14th with a strong cold front and steady high winds that churned the lake into nasty whitecaps and muddied the shorelines.

The “wildcard” that each AIM Pro possessed was that Lake Oahe is full of walleyes. Many fall in the “slot” above 20 inches. Under conventional fishing regulations, each angler can only possess one walleye per day over 20 inches, and only four walleyes per day. But under the AIM Catch-record-Release format, each Pro Angler can “weigh” seven walleyes per day – and ALL can be over 20 inches! This is because the AIM Pro Anglers – along with their Co-angler partners for each day – measure, photograph, and then release each fish where it was caught.

The C-R-R format plays into the hands of the competitors who locate big walleyes, allowing them to pull ahead of the pack. It also allows for an angler to make up for a bad day with a better day, and leap-frog the other competitors.

These and other factors played in the minds of the AIM Pro Anglers going into Day One of the 2011 Championship. Also confusing the decision-making process were the results from other tournaments held earlier in the year on the lake, including the South Dakota Walleye Classic tournament which was also hosted by the village of Akaska in August (and won by the local team of Chad and Jess Schilling.)

The stakes were high going into Day One. The saying goes, “You can’t win the tournament on the first day, but you can lose it!” Even with the C-R-R format, you can’t afford to fall behind. The teams of AIM Pros and Co-anglers (along with four teams that qualified through the AIM Sanctioned Series program) took off into strong winds averaging 20 mph.

To everyone’s delight, the daily weigh-ins were located inside the comfortable confines of the new Akaska Community Center. The AIM C-R-R format allows for “virtual” weigh-ins with digital photos and videos of the action. AIM Pro and reigning 2010 JJ Keller Angler of the Year Robert Blosser wowed the crowd with the big fish of the day – a 30.5” Oahe monster. His total seven-fish limit totaled 40.19 pounds, and placed him in the lead.

The big fish was significant because Yamaha Marine had placed a new 9.9 hp kicker motor – valued at over $2,500 as the prize for the Pro that caught the single largest walleye. Blosser also had his eye on the $10,000 JJ Keller Fishing Team Angler of the Year prize again, after having won the prize the previous year. He entered the Championship in fourth place overall in the cumulative Angler of the Year standings.

The leader in the Angler of the Year race, Brett King weighed in 32.02 pounds, which kept him at the top of the AOY race, but in fourth place overall in the Day One standings. AIM Pro Keith Kavajecz weighed 35.48 pounds which was good enough for second place, while Chad Schilling totaled 35.01 pounds for third place.

Day Two saw a repeat of the same weather conditions – cold and windy! The pressure mounted because only the top 50% of the field would continue to fish on Day Three and have a chance at the Championship purse. When the weights were tallied, AIM Pro Angler Dan Plautz made the biggest move, jumping up from thirteenth-place after Day One to tie for second place with 39.93 pounds which gave him a two-day total of 61.19 pounds. Also using C-R-R to his advantage was Mark Brumbaugh who added 32.26 pounds to his Day One weight and moved into second place with a total of 61.19 pounds.

But the local crowd was excited to see Chad Schilling weigh the biggest bag of the tournament – 40.85 pounds – to vault into the lead. His two-day total of 75.87 pounds put him in command going into the final day, leading the next two Pros by over 14 pounds. Ross Grothe was positioned in fourth place with 59.14 pounds, followed by Robert Blosser who dropped to fifth place with a two-day total of 59.14 pounds.

Day Three of the Championship meant everything was on the line. First Place for the Championship would earn the winner a 2011 Lund 2075 Pro-V boat equipped with a 300 Mercury Verado, Mercury Pro Kicker and MotorGuide trolling motor – a package valued at over $65,000.

The JJ Keller Fishing Team Angler of the Year race was the tightest it had been all year. Ross Grothe and Brett King had swapped positions going into the final day of the final tournament of 2011. A $10,000 bonus was waiting the eventual winner as the prize for being the most consistent angler over the four tournaments and 12 days of competition in 2011. Lund/Mercury Pro Mark Brumbaugh was also eying the $5,000 bonus that Lund Boats had pledged to the any Lund Pro that won an AIM tournament.

Again, the blustering prairie weather made everyone welcome the indoor weigh-in. Texas Pro Angler, Kevin Audrain pleased the crowd with a Day Three weight of 35.34 pounds, placing him in the overall lead for a time. Audrain qualified to enter through the AIM Sanctioned Series program that includes over 50 tournament organizations across the U.S. and Canada.

Robert Blosser posted a better weigh than Day Two with 24.8 pounds, securing a third place overall finish with 83.93 total pounds. Blosser’s big walleye from Day One held on to be the biggest fish of the tournament earning him the Yamaha Kicker Bonus. Mark Brumbaugh weighed 22.74 pounds to also total 83.93 pounds. However, based on the larger Day Three weight of Blosser, Brumbaugh had to settle for fourth place in the tie-breaker decision. Ross Grothe finished fifth with a total of 82.68 pounds.

Brett King posted a Day Three weight of 30.61 pounds to overcome an off day on Day Two and regain the Angler of the Year lead over Ross Grothe. With this come-from-behind weight, King claimed the prestigious 2011 AIM JJ Keller Fishing Team Angler of the Year title as the most consistent angler. King had previously won the 2011 Bay Mills Invitational and the 2009 Green Bay Aim Pro Walleye Series tournaments.

The crowd in the Community Center was ready when Akaska Pro Chad Schilling took the stage. With his Day Two weight, Schilling needed only 11 pounds of Lake Oahe walleyes to regain the lead. It was no contest as his seven fish were tallied, with a cumulative 36.03 pounds for a three-day total of 111.83 pounds. Chad Schilling sealed his first AIM tournament victory by a margin of over 25 pounds over Kevin Audrain.

Rounding out the 2011 Championship top ten were Brandon Carpenter in 6th, Dan Plautz in 7th, Brett King in 8th, Scott Duncan in 9th, and Keith Kavajecz in 10th place.

More than the big weights posted by the AIM Pro Anglers and Sanctioned Series teams, the variety of Lake Oahe was impressive. Finishing the tournament with identical weights, Robert Blosser and Mark Brumbaugh employed different tactics. Yamaha Pro Blosser never left sight of the take-off at Swan Creek and said he used about two gallons of gas in his main motor, choosing instead to troll with his 9.9 hp kicker. In contrast, Mercury Pro Brumbaugh ran over 80 miles one-way to the south to troll and cast the Peoria Flats near Pierre. Brumbaugh noted his Smart Gauges logged fuel consumption at over 80 gallons per day!

Trolling crank baits was the predominant technique. However, Texas Pro Kevin Audrain used heavy jigging spoons with noisy clackers to account for his second-place finish, jigging around bridge columns in 30 to 50 feet of water. Sixth place finisher Brandon Carpenter used heavy jigs tipped with Berkeley Gulp and 6 to 10 foot exaggerated sweeps of his rod to trigger reluctant walleyes to strike. In opposition to these deep water techniques, Mark Brumbaugh caught many walleyes by casting Husky Jerk crankbaits over submerged brush. Tenth place Pro Keith Kavajecz trolled bass-style spinner baits through the deep tree tops along the Peoria flats.

But Chad Schilling had the winning presentation, and primarily jigged around the bridge pilings within 20 miles of the take-off. He was usually the only tournament boat in sight. Patience and commitment to a pattern earned him the victory. His relative closeness to the landing allowed for more total fishing time, opposed to the two-hour run many Pros made to the south.

AIM™ Sponsors

AIM INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 1ST DAY PRO RESULTS

2011-09-15T23:42:52Z

AIM Championship - Akaska, SD

#	Place	Angler	Day 1			Day 2			Day 3			Total
#	Place	Angler	Inch	Fish	Weight	Inch	Fish	Weight	Inch	Fish	Weight	Inch	Fish	Weight
Click on angler’s name to view individual fish detail
5	1	Blosser, Robert	165	7	40.19	0	0	0	0	0	0	165	7	40.19
8	2	Kavajecz, Keith	162.75	7	35.48	0	0	0	0	0	0	162.75	7	35.48
20	3	Schilling, Chad	161	7	35.01	0	0	0	0	0	0	161	7	35.01
1	4	King, Brett	156.5	7	32.02	0	0	0	0	0	0	156.5	7	32.02
2	5	Grothe, Ross	154	7	29.64	0	0	0	0	0	0	154	7	29.64
9	6	Parsons, Gary	151.75	7	29.12	0	0	0	0	0	0	151.75	7	29.12
14	7	Brumbaugh, Mark	152	7	28.83	0	0	0	0	0	0	152	7	28.83
27	8	Olson, Rick	151.25	7	28.34	0	0	0	0	0	0	151.25	7	28.34
16	9	Duncan, Scott	149	7	27.37	0	0	0	0	0	0	149	7	27.37
4	10	Gofron, Mike	144.75	7	26.51	0	0	0	0	0	0	144.75	7	26.51
31	11	Audrain, Kevin	141.25	7	23.51	0	0	0	0	0	0	141.25	7	23.51
11	12	Kemos, Tom	138.25	7	23.47	0	0	0	0	0	0	138.25	7	23.47
26	13	Huskey, Marianne	125.75	6	22.59	0	0	0	0	0	0	125.75	6	22.59
23	14	Wilson, Terry	136.25	7	21.37	0	0	0	0	0	0	136.25	7	21.37
17	15	Plautz, Dan	136	7	21.26	0	0	0	0	0	0	136	7	21.26
7	16	Carpenter, Brandon	126.75	7	19.65	0	0	0	0	0	0	126.75	7	19.65
24	17	Good, Perry	133.25	7	19.56	0	0	0	0	0	0	133.25	7	19.56
13	18	Samson, Bruce	133	7	18.73	0	0	0	0	0	0	133	7	18.73
29	19	Sauerwein, Corey	114.75	6	18.11	0	0	0	0	0	0	114.75	6	18.11
34	20	Porter/Craig,	130.25	7	18.08	0	0	0	0	0	0	130.25	7	18.08
28	21	Tennessen, Jon	124	7	15.13	0	0	0	0	0	0	124	7	15.13
10	22	Martin, Mark	122	7	14.75	0	0	0	0	0	0	122	7	14.75
15	23	Carroll, Jim	118.5	7	14.73	0	0	0	0	0	0	118.5	7	14.73
21	24	Buechel, Jesse	122.75	7	14.71	0	0	0	0	0	0	122.75	7	14.71
32	25	Newoff/Hammargren,	122.25	7	14.66	0	0	0	0	0	0	122.25	7	14.66
22	26	Andersen, David A	119.25	7	13.89	0	0	0	0	0	0	119.25	7	13.89
25	27	Takasaki, Ted	116.5	7	13.67	0	0	0	0	0	0	116.5	7	13.67
6	28	Okada, Joe	117.5	7	13.07	0	0	0	0	0	0	117.5	7	13.07
3	29	Skarlis, Tommy	102.5	6	12.01	0	0	0	0	0	0	102.5	6	12.01
36	30	Kerzman/Friederichs,	73.25	4	11.31	0	0	0	0	0	0	73.25	4	11.31
12	31	Parsons, Chase	84	5	10.16	0	0	0	0	0	0	84	5	10.16
33	32	Olson/Nagel,	102	7	8.15	0	0	0	0	0	0	102	7	8.15
18	33	Mirabella, Bruce	64	4	6.75	0	0	0	0	0	0	64	4	6.75
19	34	Corradi, Matt	46.5	3	4.21	0	0	0	0	0	0	46.5	3	4.21
30	35	Boeshart, Gary	32	2	3.07	0	0	0	0	0	0	32	2	3.07
35	36	Haffner/Quam,	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

[L]

Schilling and Schilling win the 2011 SDWC

2011-08-19T13:49:27Z

After 5 years of fishing as individuals, Chad and Jess teamed up to dominate the 2011 SDWC. After 3 days of fishing, Chad and Jess finished the tournament with a total weight of 71.39. Kerry and Jesse Konold of Mobridge took second with a total weight of 65.7.

Congradulations to Greg Yonkovich of Aberdeen/Akaska. Greg won the co-angler side of the tournament with a total weight of 59.72.

2011 Texas Hold'Em Winners

2011-08-10T21:23:43Z

2011 Texas Hold'Em Winner- Mike Zell

2011 Texas Hold'Em 2nd place winner-Neal Lemler

2011 Texas Hold'Em 3rd place winner-Angie Bieber

2011 Texas Hold'Em 4th place winner-Steve Mann

2011 3D Archery Has Been Canceled

2011-07-11T16:15:43Z

We are sorry to annouce that the 3D Archery contest for 2011 has been canceled.

South Dakota Walleye Classic Announces Tournament Changes

2011-03-04T15:49:33Z

The South Dakota Walleye Classic tournament will change its 4th annual event to a TEAM/ Co-Angler format. The committee was told by the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks that the tournament will no longer be able to “catch-record & release” fish during the event to adhere to its existing “kill only tournament” policy for that month.

“Akaska will be hosting the AIM international Pro-AM tournament in mid September so a new format became necessary for the annual August event” says George Kessler Tournament Director.

The new format will be a two man team event with a different co-angler placed in the boat each day of the three day event. Kessler says “To my knowledge, this format is new to major tournaments” The idea of the co-angler will be to allow local anglers the opportunity to fish with regional and national teams.

The South Dakota Walleye Classic event will be held August 11th 12th and 13th and will again launch from the Swan Creek boat ramp near Akaska. The Team pay outs will total $60,000 based upon a full field of 60 boats. The Co-angler payouts will total over $7500. The entry fee will be $1000 per team and $300 per co-angler.

Kessler says “Akaska will continue to do it’s popular and successful Festival surrounding the tournament” The Festival will go from August 10th – 14th and will feature the Johnny Holm Show as well as a street dance, Bull-O-Rama, numerous vendors, kids fishing day as well as the arts in the park.

For SDWC Entry and Registration Information, visit: www.sdwalleyeclassic.com
For Festival Information, visit: www.sdwalleyeclassic.com

Or, for more information contact George Kessler at 605-380-1176

AIM™ Puts the Bow on a Successful 2010 Season

2010-10-22T16:27:36Z

AIM™ Puts the Bow on a Successful 2010 Season

Exciting Year of Fishing Action Wraps as Organization Prepares for 2011AIM Pro Walleye Series™ and AIM Sanctioned Series™ events.

Plymouth, WI – October 15, 2010 – In 2008, the biggest names in professional walleye fishing came together to change the face of the sport they love. After its second full season in 2010, Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC™ (AIM), continues to grow and improve as it gets closer to becoming the realization of what the owners and innovators conceived.

At an owner’s meeting in early October, the AIM management team shared valuable metrics on the 2010 season. The involvement and input of the owners continues to provide key strategies that help drive the decisions and direction of the organization as it enters its third year of existence.

Some key milestones and outcomes of the 2010 AIM include:

100% of Pro entry fees paid out across all regular season tournaments
113% of Pro entry fees paid out at Championship
170% of Pro entry fees paid out at the Bay Mills Invitational Walleye Tournament in Brimley MI
Historic Akaska, SD Walleye Classic tournament partnered up with 50 AIM touring professionals to share the Great Faces, Great Places of South Dakota
$10,000 J.J. Keller Fishing Team Angler of the Year paid out to Pro Robert Blosser
11 percent increase in Pro entries in 2010 AIM Pro Walleye Series events over 2009
J.J. Keller Foundation Grants $25,000 for AIM host community charities, another unprecedented first

“The 2010 AIM season was successful in terms of our financial standing and participation among anglers at all levels,” said AIM Chairman of the Board Ryan Chuckel. “We are positioned for positive growth in 2011 as we continue to apply our unique Catch-Record-Release format, cutting edge online tournament coverage and unveil new opportunities for our all of our affiliated anglers and sponsors.”

AIM is in the process of finalizing the 2011 schedule and will unveil several key initiatives during the off-season, including new marketing efforts surrounding the Pro Walleye Series and deeper engagement with the nearly 50 AIM Sanctioned Series across North America.

“Our management team and board is thrilled with the growth we experienced during this past season,” said Scott Matheson, AIM president. “Yet, we remain focused on not just maintaining the status quo but continuing to turn the fishing world on its ear and demonstrating a new way to connect consumers with the world of fishing and the products and techniques anglers need to enjoy their time on the water.”

Consumers and anglers interested in keeping up to date on AIM and its plans for 2011 can always find the latest information on www.aimfishing.com

AIM'S $10,000 Gift To Support 'South Dakota Youth Fishing For Freedom'

2010-08-24T17:22:33Z

Akaska, SD-Starting in 2011, all South Dakota youths with a parent deployed in the Armed Forces will have the opportunity to enjoy an expenses-paid trip to fish Lake Oahe during summer, thanks to a $10,000 grant awarded by the AIM Pro Walleye Series here.

The grant, made by the only professional fishing circuit in North America to give back to nonprofit organizations in the communities it visits, will help fund "South Dakota Youth Fishing For Freedom," according to Bill Waeckerle, president of the South Dakota Walleye Classic & Festival, which routinely draws up to 6,000 spectators to this tiny town of around 35 permanent residents next to Lake Oahe. This year's Classic & Festival was Aug. 11-15.

Brian Keller of the J.J. Keller Foundation presented Waeckerle the check on behalf of AIM during the final day's virtual weigh-in at AIM's tournament here on Saturday (Aug. 14). AIM's tournaments use a unique catch-record-release format. Fish are measured, photographed and released back into the water unharmed, and a computer program determines the weight to the nearest hundredth of a pound at the weigh-in.

    An AIM pro and owner who competed in the tournament, which was the centerpiece of the Walleye Classic & Festival here, James Keller also is president and COO of J. J. Keller & Associates, of Neenah, Wis., the world's largest publisher and servicing agent covering rules and regulations for transportation logistics, OSHA workplace safety, and human resources regulations.

    "Both AIM and the J.J. Keller Foundation are extremely proud to support the effort that the South Dakota Walleye Classic & Festival is announcing to benefit the children of the Mount Rushmore State whose parents are serving our country. We are very happy to give these youngsters this opportunity, some of whom may be going fishing for the first time in their lives," says Keller. "Nonprofits like the Classic use the funds AIM donates to promote fishing and encourage a new generation to enjoy the outdoors, and hopefully walleye fishing in particular," Keller adds, "and this donation has special meaning for every pro here because of how it will be used."

    "This is not a one-time-only event," explains Waeckerle. "We will continue the South Dakota Youth Fishing For Freedom program on an ongoing basis as long as we have deployed soldiers, thanks to the gift from the J.J. Keller Foundation and AIM. Both have been very generous to local organizations where there is an AIM Pro Walleye Series tournament, providing funds for the opportunity for young men and women to become involved in fishing and other outdoor activities."

    "The South Dakota Walleye Classic & Festival has recognized for years the importance of youth fishing," Waeckerle adds. "We've sponsored a youth tournament at each of our three Classics. With the opportunity that the J.J. Keller Foundation is giving us, it's our intent to offer this fishing event for the youth of deployed soldiers from all across South Dakota, so these kids have an opportunity to go fishing when they otherwise may not be able to because of the deployment of a parent or parents."

    "It's one small way that the South Dakota Walleye Classic & Festival can recognize the tremendous burden that these families and their children must bear during our war on terror," Waeckerle says.

    As many as 300 youths will be invited to Akaska each summer starting in 2011. Waeckerle said that the support from AIM and the J.J. Keller Foundation would help organizers to cover all costs for lodging, meals and fuel.

    Plans include having local anglers from Akaska, where seemingly every resident has at least one boat, to join with volunteers from across the state in taking youngsters on the water.

    "We plan to fill up all the area motels, and we will also house as many as possible with local families in the area as well," Waeckerle says. "Our emphasis on the development of fishing on Lake Oahe and promoting South Dakota fishing is on seniors and youths. And this is our way to show the families of our soldiers that South Dakota cares about their sacrifices."

    For more information on the program, contact Bill Waeckerle at 605-649-6282 or 605-850-9738. For more information on the donations by AIM and the J.J. Keller Foundation, contact AIM CEO Scott Matheson at 920-526-3399, or 920-889-1520.

2010 Texas Hold'Em Tournament

2010-08-12T09:58:50Z

Congradulations to Mr. Kit Cline of Rapid City. Kit won the 1st Annual South Dakota Walleye Classic Texas Hold'Em Tournament.

Kit was 1 of 30 players Tuesday night.

We would like to thank all the came down to play, watch, and have a great time.

2nd place went to Lyn Haug

3rd place Mr Tom Gatzke

4th place went to Tommy Skarlis

Final Four

2011 South Dakota Walleye Classic Calendar Sales

2010-08-06T19:23:50Z

Tuesday, August 10th at the Texas Holdem Tournament will be the kick of to our calendar sales. One again we will be selling only 800 calendars and they are $50.00 each. When you purchase a calendar your name gets entered into the drawing to win a gun EVERY monday in 2011.

Buy your calendar early, these will sell out fast!!