Pro Angler Max Wilson weighed in Friday with a two-day tournament total of 65.12 pounds to win the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's National Walleye Tour (NWT) in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
"We came in today around 32 pounds," Wilson said. "It was beautiful out and the wind was blowing a little. It made for prime fishing along the St. Marys River."
Amateur partner Steve Beasley of Macomb County said the whole experience was unbelievable.
"I am just over the moon," he said. "This is so fantastic. I was in 34th place yesterday, and was only hoping to come in at the top ten."
Beasley took home just under $8,000, and Wilson took home approximately $15,000 for his first place win.
Pro Angler Isaac Lakich weighed in at second place with 57.10 pounds, and Corey Heiser came in third place at 54.09 pounds.
National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) hosted the Future Angler Fishing Clinic, organized by NPAA member Jason Przekurat immediately afterward.
Pro anglers signed T-shirts and gave away nearly 200 fishing poles for the Connor Gorsuch Kids Fishing Day at Rotary Park Saturday morning.
"The economic impact of this tour is outstanding," said Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Linda Hoath. "There were 98 boats here. I am hearing all of the places they went shopping and out to eat."
There were nearly 300 people at the NWT in Sault Ste. Marie yesterday afternoon.
The St. Marys tour was just one of four qualifying tournaments to get to Devil's Lake, North Dakota for the National Walleye Tour Championship Sept. 6-8.
