PMTT crowns winners at second qualifier on Eagle River, THL chains

PMTT crowns winners at second  qualifier on Eagle River, THL chains

By News-Review Staff

It was a two-day battle on the Eagle River on the Three Lakes chain of lakes, June 27-28, as the Professional Musky Tournament Trail crowned Josh McDunn and Sean Boland as the winners of the PMTT Mercury Marine Summer Challenge in the Northwoods late last month. Over 125 teams took to the two chains to chase a top $20,000-plus payday after bonuses.  

It was a consecutive win for the duo, as they won the season’s first event as well. 

A total of 63 muskies were caught and released, with opening day being the hottest, with 49 fish being put on the board. Day two saw 13 fish being recorded. Ten of the fish were over 40” in length. 

McDunn and Boland combined for four fish of 38.5, 37.5, 36.25, and 33.5 inches. 

Neither has ever fished the Eagle River chain, which makes the victory all the more impressive. The duo caught three of the four fish on day one. The day-two bite slowed for many teams, but Boland clinched the tournament with the 37.5-inch fish, the duo's only catch on day two. They finished with 199 points

Alex McLean and Trevor Seis took second place in the tournament by three points (125) after posting two fish in the tournament, combining for a total of 79.25 inches. Third-place finishers Rob Ornberg and Bob Chitty boated three fish and finished with 122 points. All three fish were caught on day one, as only two teams that finished in the top five recorded catches on day two. 

Coltin Thomas and Tony Casto finished fourth and mixed trolling and casting throughout the event. After trolling on opening day, the two anglers switched to casting a bulldawg and secured a crucial catch during the slow second day. 

Jarod Donar and Pete Blicharz rounded out the top five on the weekend. Despite only netting two fish for the tournament, the two anglers used their knowledge of the chain and focused on major and minor feeding windows. The two fish had a combined length of 76.5 inches. 

The big fish of the tournament came from the boat of Stuart and Sheri Sorenson, who caught a 47.25-inch monster on day one.