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Luck of the draw

Weather forces Sunset Bay Shootout to cancel fishing

Photo by Gene Pauszek Winners of the 11th annual Sunset Bay ShootOut were, from left: Amy Plecas, Joyce Sabuda, Captain Kim Skoczylas, Debora Butzer and Kathy Shaffery.

To those who may be visiting Western New York, welcome.

We have an old saying around here that goes, “If you don’t like the weather … wait a minute … it will change.”

How true it is.

The premier walleye tournament on Lake Erie in Western New York, The Sunset Bay Shootout, was set for its 11th year with 120 teams signed up for this year’s event. Competitors came from 24 different states.

The first portion of the event is Big Fish Friday, which saw some cloudy, rainy, windy weather, but eventually settled down to allow for some competitive fishing.

Everyone was ready for the Main Event on Saturday, but Mother Nature had other plans. The tournament committee made it plain that if Small Craft warnings were issued prior to the official launch time of 7 a.m. they would postpone the contest until Sunday. From shore it may have appeared that the lake was fishable, but offshore was a different story. The threat of severe rainfall with the chance of flooding was included.

Early on Saturday, flood warnings were issued for most of the county with a flood watch issued for Cattaraugus Creek. Property owners as well as boaters were advised to remove their vessels due to flood conditions. Facebook showed videos of trees and tree trunks floating down the creek. The tournament committee made the right call to protect the contestants.

Sunday was also a no-go. The cash prize structure would be divided up into 20 places and awarded by random drawing as stated clearly in the rules. Disappointing for many except the fish. The contestants were advised to meet at noon at the Sunset Beach House for the drawing, which would include the boat package.

The 20th spot went to Hans “The Carver” Mann. Mann makes life-like fish carvings that are so detailed they appear alive. Next was Mike Ebel Team Bent Rods. Mike Boliva of Team Crazy Ivan was 18th. Vinny Costello of Big V Sportfishing was 17th. Jim Skoczylas, the vice president of Southtowns Walleye Association, was sweet 16. Bob Henton, the PA Ranger, took 15th.

Craig Sleeman, a familiar name on the tournament trail, was 14th, followed by Scott Belanin, the Renegade. Making it an even dozen was Jim Horbett of team Making Eye Contact, right below George Knopf of Team Is That All. Nick Schmitt and his young son on Team Underdog made the top 10 while Ashton Laird of Lime Lake Marina settled for ninth.

The eighth spot was awarded to Ahren Niedzwicki of Team Nudz-Eyes, while lucky seven went to Michael Gordon of team Gordy’s Dream, How cool that Team 6: Your Eyes Only, led by Dennis Young, won sixth place.

Dave Erker of team Just One More made the top five, while fourth place went to another familiar face, Roger Vorhees of Team Dragin Lures. Brian Davis team Black Cloud who had second place on BFF settled for third place and second place was taken by Mike Miller of team DB Marine 1.

Seeing as how Mother Nature played a role in determining who the 2021 winners were it seemed appropriate that the top spot was won by an all-girls team led by Captain Kim Skoczylas of Team Eye Candy. Skoczylas and teammate Amy Plecas are also very active on the SWA and were accompanied by Deborah Butzer, Joyce Sabuda and Kathy Shaffer. These ladies also fished together in last years SBSO. Obviously there was a lot of celebration going on with the Eye Candy team. The members were awarded the championship rings in addition to the top cash prize. The ladies did announce that they all thanked their husbands for their support in their endeavor.

In the spirit of true competitors, the ladies chose to forego having their names inscribed on the championship trophy, because they won by luck of the draw, and asked that “Mother Nature” be written instead. That is classy.

The winners of the big fish awards for the Main Event were also chosen by random drawing. The winners in descending order were: Team Colony Sportfishing, led by Jeff Labarbera; Team Wavetamer, led by captain and tournament Chairman Don Ruppert; Team Tailspin, led by Jim Mango; Brian Schumacher of Team Wet Schu’s; another familiar face and SWA committee member Team Got Glizda, which is Polish for worms by the way, Ron Kucinski; Tom Leman of Team Ranger Tom; Tom Simonick Team Prince Otto and the final spot was again a familiar face Captain Jeff Philips of Team Knot Right.

Team 33, led by Jim Horbett, won the drawing for the Aluma Craft boat package donated by Lime Lake Marina.

As always Captain Don Ruppert and his committee did another fantastic job and send a shoutout to their fellow teammate Jim Kuwik, who is recovering from open-heart surgery. He made it down for a short period and hopes to be back on board ASAP.

Ruppert and his fantastic committee are already making plans for the 12th annual Sunset Bay Shootout. After all, COVID-19 and Mother Nature couldn’t stop them. We will be looking forward to it. Thanks again for another job well done.

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