Drawing competitors from more than 20 states and Canada, the event has grown into one of the premier freshwater fishing tournaments in North America while generating a significant economic boost for local hotels, restaurants, marinas, campgrounds, bait shops and other tourism businesses throughout Chautauqua County. In other words, when the Shootout comes to town, everybody wins — except maybe the walleyes.

Tournament founder and director Capt. Don Ruppert has built the Shootout into far more than a fishing competition. The four-day event celebrates Lake Erie’s world-class fishery with a full schedule that includes Thursday’s pre-fishing activities and mandatory captains meeting, Friday’s popular Big Fish Friday contest, Saturday’s six-fish team championship, and Sunday’s Breakfast of Champions awards ceremony.

The tournament’s lively beachside weigh-ins at Sunset Bay Beach Club have become a spectator attraction, bringing families and fishing fans together to watch giant walleyes tip the scales each evening. It is part sporting event, part community festival, and part reminder that fish can, in fact, be heavier than they look on the water.

There may never have been a better time to hold the tournament.

Photo by Forrest Fisher Each member of the winning walleye team will receive a super-bowl style Championship Ring to honor their first place finish.

The eastern basin of Lake Erie is currently producing some of the finest summer walleye fishing anglers have experienced in years. Charter captains report that catching a legal six-fish tournament limit has become remarkably consistent. Stickbaits, trolling spoons, spinner-and-worm harnesses and crankbaits are all producing fish, with successful anglers finding that lure presentation often matters more than color. Purple patterns continue to have their followers, while classics such as Northern Lights and Wonder Bread remain favorites throughout the fleet.

Apparently, walleyes have taste.

The challenge isn’t finding walleyes. The challenge is finding the right ones.

While countless eater-sized fish are available, tournament success depends upon locating heavyweight fish capable of separating a team from the field. Fisheries experts estimate Lake Erie currently supports well over 100 million catchable walleyes, making it one of the most productive freshwater fisheries in the world. Even so, trophy-class fish remain the ultimate prize. Somewhere out there is a fish big enough to make a team look brilliant, humble, or both within the same hour. Timing also favors anglers.

July typically marks the annual peak of migration of mature walleyes from the western basin toward the eastern basin, placing many of the lake’s largest fish within reach of anglers fishing New York waters. Every trolling pass could produce the fish that changes a tournament — and perhaps a career. It could also produce the fish that convinces a crew to buy a bigger cooler.

Note that Lake Erie always has the final say. Recent periods of heavy wind have shifted water temperatures and moved schools of baitfish throughout the eastern basin. Those forage movements often determine where predator fish set up, forcing anglers to constantly adapt. The changing wind direction moves the currents around and bait locations follow. Being able to read these elements of the day may prove just as important as choosing the right lure. On Lake Erie, the fish are not the only ones doing the moving.

As veteran Great Lakes anglers often say, Lake Erie is a mystic teacher. It rewards preparation, but it also demands humility. And occasionally it reminds even the most confident captain that the fish were apparently elsewhere the whole time.

Beyond the championship purse, the Shootout offers one of the most extensive collections of bonus prizes in tournament fishing. Previous tournaments have awarded tens of thousands of dollars in championship prizes, manufacturer contingency bonuses for qualifying boats and motors, restaurant cash promotions, equipment giveaways, and numerous sponsor prizes. A variety of optional Calcutta side pots — including Captain’s Choice, Main Calcutta, Rookie, Big Eye, Veterans and the popular Big Wave Calcutta — allow teams to increase both the excitement and potential payouts throughout tournament weekend. The past events, the Big Wave Calcutta alone, have featured two separate 20-boat divisions competing for substantial cash awards. It is the kind of side action that can make a good weekend even better, assuming your boat, your bait and your nerves all cooperate when the big fish are biting.

The tournament’s registration package has traditionally included the main team entry, while Big Fish Friday and the various Calcutta divisions are optional add-ons with separate entry fees. Big Fish Friday has historically required a $100 team entry, while optional Calcutta’s have ranged in entry cost, with the Big Wave Calcutta carrying a higher cost buy-in for participating teams. For anglers who feel lucky, this event is the super bowl of Calcutta’s.

The event also enjoys tremendous support from the fishing industry. Major boat manufacturers, tackle companies, electronics companies, local businesses and regional restaurants contribute prize money, equipment, contingency awards and promotional giveaways, making the Shootout one of the richest and best-supported walleye tournaments on the Great Lakes. Sponsor-supported bonus programs have included rewards for anglers fishing qualifying Skeeter, Vexus, Ranger, Warrior and other registered boats and motors, along with numerous gear giveaways during the weekend festivities. If there is a better place to win a prize while talking about fish, I’m not sure it has been found.

For visitors, tournament weekend provides an excellent opportunity to experience Chautauqua County’s waterfront communities. Accommodations ranging from hotels and vacation rentals to campgrounds and marinas are spread throughout Irving, Silver Creek, Dunkirk, Fredonia and neighboring communities, while local restaurants and attractions benefit from the influx of anglers, families and spectators. It is one of the rare weekends when the phrase “there are a lot of boats in town” is both a traffic report and a compliment.

Whether competing for a championship, hoping to catch a personal-best walleye, or simply enjoying one of America’s greatest freshwater fisheries, everyone shares the same anticipation as the boats idle toward the starting line.

Somewhere beneath the blue waters of eastern Lake Erie swims the next tournament champion. The only question is who will find it first — and who will spend the rest of the weekend telling everyone about the one that got away.

Gotta love the outdoors.

Outdoor Calendar:

July 16-19: Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout, www.walleyeshootout.com; Chairman Don Ruppert, 716-435-4137; donaldjruppert1970@outlook.com.

July 18: Saturday 50s Trap Shoot, Celeron Rod/Gun Club, 210 Livingston Avenue, Celeron, registration 9 a.m.-10 a.m.; Info: Jerry Martin: 814-688-9209.

July 18: 716 KAYAK Bass Trail, Red House/Quaker Lakes, 5:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., $30 entry, visit Tourney X online to register.

July 18-19: Sodus Pro-Am Salmon Team Tourney, Lake Ontario, Wayne County, visit www.sodusproam.com to register/details.

July 19: Fly Fishing 101 Class, $25 adults, $20 kids, The Hairy Trout, 3891 Seneca St., West Seneca, NY, 716-575-5037.

July 19: Ellington Rod and Gun, “Don’t Know Partner Trap League,” 1045 Hagerdon Hill Rd., Ellington; Info: 716-287-3987.