Fischer in a better mood at Holmes Fall Brawl party after dealing with Lake Erie fishing cheating scandal

MILLERSBURG – It's been a tough week for Jason Fischer, owner of both the Lake Erie Walleye Trail and the Fall Brawl Walleye Tournament.

On Friday, Sept. 30, Fischer found 8 pounds of lead weights in the winning team’s five walleye at the LEWT Tournament, setting off a firestorm of media attention, YouTube videos and commentaries and coverage from all over the world. Fischer, who also works a full-time job as a police officer, hasn’t slept much since, having to navigate the situation, honoring interview and blog requests, to issuing an official LEWT statement and dealing with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, which is handling the criminal aspects of the cheating scandal.

On Thursday, though, Fischer was in a much better mood, as he and his Fall Brawl team were at Mid Ohio Sporting Goods outside of Mount Hope, where a Fall Brawl signup party was being held. With the tournament starting date fast approaching (Oct. 15-Nov. 27), Fischer and his staff have been busy signing up contestants for the tournament that features over $400,000 in prizes, including a pair of fully equipped Ranger boats for first and second place, $65,000 in cash for third place, $55,000 for fourth and $45,000 for fifth place.

15,000 fishermen vying for Fall Brawl title

An expected field of 15,000 walleye fishermen will spend the 44 days trying to catch the biggest fish Lake Erie has to offer for the right to be called Fall Brawl champion.

“This is the best signup party we’ve had so far,” said Fischer to the crowd as things were wrapping up at 8 p.m. “I want to do the best job I can for you guys.”

Fischer admitted, though, the cheating scandal has taken a toll.

“I’ve lost four days of my most important two weeks,” he said.

While the scene got pretty nasty when Chase Cominsky and Jacob Runyan were caught cheating, Fischer said he’s heard a lot of positive comments from the LEWT family of fishermen and the same from those who intend to fish the Fall Brawl, that moving forward things will be different and those who may entertain ideas of cheating, will now think twice.

Fall Brawl tip: 'Accept defeat before you go'

Sam Mast, owner of Mid Ohio Sporting Goods, had the perfect answer for anyone who signed up in hopes of winning one of the top five prizes, knowing you are competing against over 15,000 other walleye anglers.

“The first thing you have to do is accept defeat before you go,” Mast said.

That was his tournament fishing tip, but it was a different story when he talked about hosting the Fall Brawl signup party at his store now for the fifth year in a row.

“The big thing is getting fishermen together, standing around and shooting the breeze,” said Mast. “Our goal is to get guys to sign up for the Brawl, and to do as much for Jason as possible … and to sell product. That’s the main goal of any store, isn’t it?”

Mid Ohio Sporting Goods, 8447 Township Road 652, Millersburg, has a good reputation when it comes to walleye tackle, gear and knowledge, and a lot of that is because of Leroy Mast, an avid Lake Erie walleye angler who oversees the fishing department.

“We’re hoping to have over 200 people here tonight, and to get 160-180 fishermen to sign up for the Brawl,” said Leroy Mast. “They can (sign up) here and not have to do it online.”

The Fall Brawl, and its sister tournament, the Walleye Slam, are so successful because just a $30 entry fee for the Brawl, and $35 for the Slam, get you the chance to win thousands in cash and prizes if you luck into a big fish. And, the best time to do that is the time from mid-October to the first of December on Laker Erie.

In 2019, Charm’s David Troyer entered the Fall Brawl at the Mid Ohio Sporting Goods signup party and ended up finishing second and winning a $75,000 Hewes Craft boat.

Walleye Slam and Brawl change things up for charter captains

The Brawl and the Slam also have changed how charter boat captains approach trips in the late fall. Some will only take clients who are signed up for the tournaments just in case they land a big fish, and most now also say the fisherman who reels in the fish is the winner, but everyone on the boat shares the winnings.

“I still take people out even if they’re not signed up,” said Allen Weaver, of AA Charters. “I’m a charter boat captain, so that’s what I do, but the last two weeks, when most of the big fish are caught, they’re all signed up for the Brawl. And the rule is any prizes are split evenly.

“We’re all working as a team on the boat, so we split it evenly.”

Deadline to enter the Fall Brawl (Lakeeriefallbrawl.com) is Oct. 12, while you have until Oct. 14 to enter the Walleye Slam (walleyeslam.com).

WALLEYE FOR KIDS TOURNAMENT – Along with signing up for the Fall Brawl, checking out store inventory and Fall Brawl gear, those who attended the signup party also had the chance to enter the Walleye For Kids benefit tournament on Lake Erie Nov. 12 (Blow date of Nov. 19).

The tournament is being held to help provide funds for children in need of wigs. Entry fee is by donation, but the suggested fee is $150 per team. You can leave the port of your choice at 7 a.m., but weigh-ins are at Sherod Park (4 p.m.), 13406 W. Lake Road, Vermilion.

For more information, visit the Walleye for Kids Facebook page, or call Mike Kurtz at 330-763-3478.

Outdoor correspondent Art Holden can be reached at letsplabal@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Holmes Fall Brawl signup not deterred by Lake Erie fishing scandal