The simple-looking Widowmaker jig, made from heavy, high-density tungsten, fished with a nightcrawler and cast to the suspended walleye by Dunkirk Champion walleye pro, David Hoisington, caught most of his winning fish. Photo courtesy of Fish USA

“Nightcrawlers and plastic jig tails made famous” might be a better title description for this story. When the walleye professionals visited Dunkirk last week, they left a positive impression on everyone. They caught lots of fish (hundreds each), and they shared what they learned. They may have changed the way we all fish from now on. Why? Simple fishing is fun fishing. No treble hooks, no 10 tackle boxes with giant lures and multiple colors each, no tricks … what the heck?

David Hoisington won the National Walleye Tour’s Event No. 4, here in Dunkirk last week. His victory was good for more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. The Warren, Pennsylvania angler was thrilled to win.

During a followup interview, a very excited Hoisington said, “Oh man! I’m on cloud 9! I caught a big fish on one of the practice days, marked the spot, and came back to that place on the official fishing days. The fish were still there. I was using Widowmaker jigs in 5/8-, 3/4- or 1-ounce sizes, depending on wind conditions. I caught every fish on a jig/crawler. I threw some jigging Rapalas when the big fish wouldn’t go. I felt that I got them fired up that way, then I followed up with a jig/crawler, and that would work. There was one point there on the last day when I went into panic mode. I couldn’t catch a fish for three hours, so I scrambled right at the end. I love Lake Erie. I just started fishing Lake Erie two or three years ago. Winning on the NWT beats shooting a monster bull in Colorado, beats catching my 15-pound trophy walleye. Next to my family, this is top-notch. It’s the coolest thing that has ever happened to me. I feel so blessed.”

A simple single-hook heavy tungsten jig with a nightcrawler. End of story for the winning strategy for Hoisington. Can we all try it? Sure! Why not?

Runnerup, Duane Hjelm from Pierre, South Dakota, was charging from behind and was among the favorites in the top five to go forward with the prestigious Angler of the Year title, solid with his name ready for the championship in September. With his second-place finish here in Dunkirk, he is in a good position to earn that 2025 title in the upcoming championship, set for Wisconsin later this year. He tallied 66 pounds, 12 ounces for second place here in Dunkirk.

Hjelm was amazed by the eastern basin Lake Erie fishery. He said, “I have been here fishing from Dunkirk for the last five or six days. I was throwing 1/2- to 3/4-ounce VMC Redline jigs paired up with the Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow in one color that caught the most fish. The color was called “Morning Dawn,” and I felt like I could catch a fish on every cast using my Garmin forward-facing sonar. I caught my big 9-pounder with that color. I can’t wait to come back to Dunkirk in the future.”

Another simple rig, the VMC Redline jig paired with the Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow, is more commonly fished in saltwater for snook and redfish, but guess what? It works in Lake Erie for walleyes, too. Amazing simplicity.

Of course, all of this fishing simplicity is combined with one additional element of focus: forward-facing sonar. This technology, which allows anglers to see fish and structures in real time, is a game-changer in the fishing world. Understanding where to throw these simple rigs is made easier with the use of forward-facing sonar. I can’t wait to try these “simple rigs” with my more ordinary down-scan sonar and see what happens.

The Dunkirk event was important to these professional walleye anglers. It not only determined the Dunkirk champion, but it also set the field for the 2025 Championship in Marinette, Wisconsin, which is a three-day format, and where the final standings for the NWT Angler of the Year will be earned. Only the top 40 anglers (by points accrued) from the four annual 2025 NWT competition events get to compete for this AOY ultimate title. There were 74 pro anglers in the Dunkirk event last week, and 74 co-anglers, as well.

The NWT event entry cost is $2,000/event for the pros — there are four events, and $650/event for co-anglers. During the championship event, pro cost is free, and co-angler cost is $500. The 2025 championship will take place Sept. 4-6 on Green Bay, marking the conclusion of the NWT season for the pros.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Aug. 14-17: Traditional Archery Shoot, Hawkeye Bowmen, 13300 Clinton St., Alden; hawkeyebowmen@yahoo.com.

Aug. 15-16: Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge (Dunkirk), $500 entry, Jim Steel, 716-481-5348; https://innovative-outdoors.com/.

Aug. 17: Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters 2025 Bass for Cash Open II, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Prendergast Boat Launch. $200 Entry. Tournament Director: 716-708-0330.

Aug 22-23: WNY Walleye Assoc.; Lake Erie Walleye Tournament; $250 entry, Fish Donkey format, Rick Malik, 716-548-8219 or Ron Kucinski, 716-545-5925.

Aug. 30: Labor Day Shoot, Hanover Fish & Game, sporting and 5-Stand, NSCA registered, 780 Overhiser Road, Silver Creek; 716-934-4028.