Americana Outdoors E-Magazine - October 2019

Jigging Dart- ers. In the wind yesterday, I would upsize baits.” With the smaller casting baits, Hoyer would employ a hard snap and then follow them down. With the bigger baits, he’d lift it aggressively and then control the fall. “I wanted to slow the fall down,” said Hoyer. “When you catch it, it planes out, and that’s when they get it. You’re giving them a chance to really eat it.” The Orono, Minn., native had 24 pounds in his live- well by 9:30 the final morning. However, he wouldn’t have won the event without a final up- grade that came with 30 minutes left in the day. “The tournament-winning fish came from shallow tim- ber and weeds,” said Hoyer. “That last fish gave me the 1/2-pound upgrade I needed. It ended up being the winner.” Hoyer’s three-day cumulative total was 67.73 pounds. He hasn’t had the time to fully process his latest achievement. “I’m numb; I have no idea how it feels. It’s not like anything,” said Hoyer. “It’s not real. You don’t get the chance to win very often. I’ve had three of those chances in one year and two went my way.” Finishing fifth was Angler of the Year Tom Keenan. While Keenan was tied for second in the AOY race coming into the championship, he was still considered a longshot. He started 20 points back of pro Brett King, who claimed the 2018 AOY. On day one, Keenan and King were both in the top 10. On day two, the race completely turned upside down as King only managed two small keepers. In the process, he tumbled to 36th while Keenan made the top-10 cut. Keenan finished his final season with 756 points while King accumulated 745. “I had a heck of year in 2006,” recalled Keenan. “That was a special season for me, but this one ranks right up there. I set the goal to win AOY because I told my wife this was my last year to do it.” Keenan retires as one of the greatest walleye fishermen ever, one who’s clearly still at the top of his game Tommy Kemos (second), Dusty Minke (third), Greg Ehli (fourth), Tom Keenan (fifth), Adam Andersen (sixth), Paul Meleen (seventh), Kent Andersen (eighth), Robert Crow (ninth) and Zak Jobes (tenth) round out the top-10 pro-an- glers. Rap and mid-sized Johnny

Pro leader Mike Gofron (left) holds up part of his 28-pound catch

Pro Champion and Co-Angler Trophy

Pro winner John Hoyer (right) shows off part of his winning stringer.