The 2019 Big Dawg Walleye Tournament had a relatively small roster, but they sure did end up with some huge results. I believe there were 30 teams signed up for this year’s main event, and they all started out of Dunkirk Harbor at 6 a.m. All teams had to report back to the Chadwick Bay Marina pavilion by 4 p.m. sharp or forfeit their weight and entry. All the teams that chose to weigh-in fish had some decent sized fish averaging at least 5 pounds or more. Finding 26 inch “keepers” was going to be vital.

The weigh-in didn’t start until after 6 p.m. with Team 22 stepping up with a big fish weighing in at 8.15 pounds and a total six walleye limit that totaled 32.54 pounds. Team 10, led by Buddy Marsh, stepped up with a big fish weighing 8.01 pounds and a total box weight of 34.32 pounds. Team 8, the Trolling Stones, got the audience’s attention with a total box weight of 41.78 pounds including a big fish weighing 8.15 pounds. The Stones were the team to beat, until team REEL MANIA opened their cooler and produced the big fish of the day and the tournament, weighing 11.36 pounds. After the monster was weighed, the officials added five more hawgs that ended up pulling the scales down to a total weight of 51.49 pounds.

Yesterday, I spied the guys at their boat in the parking lot and Mark Lewandowski Jr. predicted his team was going to win the event. They sure did. End of the Line lead by Mr. Levine and company secured the third place with a 36.74 total and a big fish weighing 7.75 pounds. The final spot went to the last team to weigh in, team Wave Tamer led by Captain Don Ruppert, with a total weight of 35.41 pounds.

Mark Mohr Tournament director would like to thank Scotty Downriggers, Cabelas, Dick’ Sporting Goods, Eye Fish, Jim Kline and Westfield Tackle for providing merchandise and tackle for the event. So where did they fish, you are probably asking? REEL Mania used five colors of lead core line and stick baits fishing Van Buren and west, in USA waters, Trolling Stones were right out front in 35 to 45 feet of “dirty” water, using two colors of leadcore and stick bait. Good Luck!

Calendar: The Lakeshore Longbeards will be holding their next meeting at Liberty Vineyards on Monday, June 24, starting at 4:30 p.m. On the agenda will be the upcoming JAKES Day which stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge and Ethics, in regards to hunting and the Outdoors. The date for this event is Aug. 17. All interested parties are invited to attend the meeting and the event. The Longbeards also have seed corn available for sale. Contact Bob Turk, Gary Burmaster or Scott Dibble.

There will be a pistol course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Saturday, June 29 from 5:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. There is an $80 fee for attending this course. For details contact Gary Dudek at 366- 3397.

June 21-22 is Lake Erie Big Dawg Walleye Tournament, out of the Dunkirk Harbor. Contact Mark Mohr at 998-9871 or go to www.razorsbigdawg.com.

WNY Heroes Fishing Day is June 28. Open to ALL Military veterans. Call 630-5020 to sign up. Charter Captains call Jim Steel at 983-7867.

June 29 Chautauqua Showdown Musky Tournament from 7 a.m. until 3p.m. Catch & Release at the Mayville launch. There will also be a Kids raffle table. Go to nymusky69@yahoo.com.

June 29 is Family Fishing Day at the foot of Ferry Street. Contact George Johnson at 818-3410.

June 29-30 are Free Fishing Days.

The Lew Mead annual Kids fishing contest on Cassadaga lake is Saturday, June 29. The event is free and open to youths 15 years old and younger with prizes in 4 age groups. Sign up at the state boat launch located at Lilly Dale by 8 a.m. with the weigh in at 11 a.m. at the same place. Trophies and prizes awarded shortly afterwards.

June 29 – July 28 is the 10th annual Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Summer derby. Go to www.loc.org.

July 19-20 is the Sunset Bay Shootout. Contact Captain Don Ruppert at 435-4137.

July 28 is the Chautauqua Lake Summer Bass Team OPEN. At Chautauqua Lake, Long Point State Park. Contact mike Russo at (716) 640-6915.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Walleye Tournament is August 2-4. Contact person is Zen Olow at 640-2776.

VIP Day is August 7. Contact Zen Olow at 640-2776.

August 11 is the Chautauqua Bassmasters Tournament No. 3 on Chautauqua Lake/Long Point State Park. Contact Mike Russo at 640-6915. Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge out of Dunkirk. Contact Jim Steel at 481-5348 or go to www.innovative-outdoors.com.

If your club or organization is holding a hunter safety training/trapping course or a turkey shoot or any other outdoors event, and would like to see it posted in the calendar, send information to the OBSERVER, 10 East Second Street, Dunkirk, NY 14048, or call the sports department at 366-3000 ext. 5 after 6 p.m.

Note: If you have a big game fishing or trapping success story you would like to share, call 366-1772, or 467-2079 and leave a name, phone number and a time you can be reached. You can also call 366-3000, ext. 5, after 6 p.m. or email sports@observertoday.com.