2012 PMTT Cave Run Results

The PMTT Chaos Tackle Spring Shootout on Cave Run Lake, Kentucky, on April 28-29 saw a record 61 muskies boated by over 150 anglers who competed in the 2-day event.

The annual PMTT qualifier hosted by the Morehead Tourism Commission had perfect weather and lake conditions that produced a record number of muskies caught in a PMTT event at Cave Run. Occasional small fronts moving through and gizzard shad spawning added up to a perfect storm of musky fishing. The old record for the PMTT at Cave Run Lake was 48 muskies over 30 inches.

Current PMTT World Champions Chris Burseth of Crystal Lake, Illinois and Eric Burseth of Bartlett, Illinois, started the tournament season the way that
they ended it last year — with a win. The Burseths used Medussas, the rubber swimbaits by Chaos Tackle in the firetiger and perch color patterns, to entice their muskies into biting. They concentrated on the Zilpo Flats, the largest flat on the lake which has some nice weedbeds and shallow sandbars that the shad were using to spawn. The Burseths registered an incredible six muskies between 34 1/4 and 42 inches.The Burseths also took home the Ranger Cup prize for an additional $1,000 bonus, which could be won at all the PMTT qualifying events if the championship team is registered for the Ranger Cup program beforehand. Chaos Tackle, the sponsor of the Chaos Tackle Spring Shootout, also had a contingency prize for this event of $3,000 if the winning team used Medussa swimbait lures. The Burseths’ total winnings were $15,750.

In second place were long time PMTT pro Kevin Nash of Aurora, Illinois, and Bill Fassig, also of Aurora. Nash has been known to be a favorite to finish near the top at Cave Run because of his success over the years at the lake, placing in the top 10 many times. The two anglers used Jake crankbaits in the timber, being sure to fish tight to cover to entice muskies that were not active. Their five muskies measured between 32 1/4 and 39 1/2 inches.

Third place was won by the reigning Top Gun team of the year, Matt and Dave Kircher of Cleveland, Ohio, who caught four muskies that were between 32 1/4 and 37 1/2 inches. The two anglers cast and trolled minnowbaits in six feet of water on the Zilpo Flats.

Fourth place was taken by Mark and Adam Follerweider of Palos Heights, Illinois, who used gold and white twitchbaits near shallow weed patches to entice their fish. The two anglers caught three muskies measuring between 33 and 39 inches.

Fifth place was won by longtime PMTT angler and local fishing guide Gregg Thomas of Morehead, Kentucky, and partner Dave Growchowski of Cincinnati, Ohio. The pair caught muskies that were 45 1/2 and 39 1/4 inches on tube jigs fished vertically around boat docks in the marina. The 45 1/2-incher was the largest musky of the tournament.

Tournament Director Tim Widlacki thanked all of the PMTT’s sponsors, especially the Morehead Kentucky Tourism for hosting the event every year, and Chaos Tackle for sponsoring the tournament. Thanks also went to Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Musky Hunter Magazine, Keyes Outdoors Television, Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce, Rollie & Helens Musky Shop, Musky Mayhem Tackle, Crash’s Landing and all the associate and contributing sponsors.

The PMTT’s next stop is the Eagle River Chain in Eagle River, Wisconsin. To become a member of the 2012 PMTT, or to view the event photo album, please visit www.promusky.com or call (815) 478-4351.