When the 2012 National Guard FLW Walleye Tour schedule was announced back in December, the first person on everyone’s mind was Bill Shimota – specifically how the schedule fit him to a “T.” Of the five venues FLW is visiting, Shimota has won major tournaments at three of them. And the two locations where he hasn’t won happen to be his favorite bodies of water.
So FLW can just cut the checks and make them payable to Shimota right? Well, the Lonsdale, Minn., pro said it’s not quite that simple.
While he’s had several tournament anglers and friends insinuate that he created the schedule, I can state with certainty that was not the case. The intention from an organizational standpoint was to present a diverse schedule, not to pad Shimota’s retirement. To be clear, Shimota isn’t the favorite at each of the five events. But certainly from an Angler of the Year perspective the schedule suits his strengths and preferences quite well.
There are, however, a couple of stops in particular where the National Guard pro will be one to watch. Not coincidentally, both are located on the Mississippi River. The season opener is being held in Red Wing, Minn., the same location where Shimota claimed his first victory. He considers the river to be his home water and pokes around whenever he has spare time, even though it’s located more than an hour from Lonsdale.
“That time of year (April 19-21) is my favorite time of the year on the river, even more so than in May when I won two years ago,” he said. “I’ve been down there in April more than any other time of the year. I would love to say that I’m going to win that one, but the victories seem to come when you least expect them.”
The other Mississippi River event is held six months later and 10 pools downstream. A championship berth is never a given, but for an angler of Shimota’s abilities it would be a major surprise not to see him among the 40 qualifying pros. And while the 33-year-old Shimota has only fished this water once, he feels right at home.
“To be honest, that stretch of the river is kind of like Pool 4 in that there’s not a lot backwater. It fishes the same too; you wouldn’t know the difference. When I won the League Finals in 2007, it was mid-September and the bite was brutal. In mid-October, the fishing should be a little better with clearer water and less baitfish to compete with.
“I still think it will be one of those tournaments where the winner is decided by a few ounces. I really enjoy being challenged in those tougher tournaments. Overall, I just like fall fishing and I’d rather be on the river than anywhere else.”
For all his previous successes, Shimota likely has numerous GPS points and the memories associated with each. But that alone can often prove to be more of a bane than a boon. The bottom line is that he’s still got to catch them; the walleyes aren’t going to bite his hooks just because he’s Bill Shimota.
“Overall I like the pressure; I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a good thing to be a favorite. A lot of guys are giving me a hard time about the schedule. But it means nothing if I don’t take advantage.”
