Professional angler Dylan Nussbaum climbed from 40th place to a second-place finish at the 2026 National Walleye Tour (NWT) season opener, anchored by a career-best 48-pound, 3-ounce limit on the final day. The event took place from April 9-10 in Monroe, MI.
During practice, Nussbaum found success in low-visibility “chocolate milk” water (3–6 inches of clarity) using the Z-Man Fuzzy BugZ on 1/4- and 3/8-ounce jigheads. He noted that the bait’s buoyancy and profile helped trigger reaction bites in the murky conditions, providing a solid baseline heading into the event.
Tournament conditions shifted on Day 1, as south winds topping 35 mph created unsafe offshore waves. Forced to abandon his primary practice areas for nearshore water, Nussbaum pivoted to the Z-Man 4-inch Scented Jerk ShadZ.
“Committing to the area and grinding it out was really the only option,” Nussbaum said. He managed a 30-pound, 7-ounce limit, leaving him in 40th place and trailing the leaders significantly.
A Major Change
On the second day, improving weather allowed Nussbaum and his co-angler, Remington Moren, to make a 20-mile run in search of clearer water. They eventually located a stretch with roughly 18 inches of visibility.
Fishing in 20 to 23 feet of water, Nussbaum targeted fish suspended at depths of 10 to 15 feet. By slowing his retrieve to account for the 45°F water temperature, he triggered a flurry of trophy-class bites. By early afternoon, the fishing trip had yielded an impressive total of ten fish over eight pounds, highlighted by a morning haul of 8.5- and 9.5-pounders, and a midday run that included three catches exceeding 10 pounds.
The resulting 48-pound, 3-ounce bag was the heaviest of Nussbaum’s career. He credited the Scented Jerk ShadZ for its durability, which allowed him to stay efficient during the heavy bite window without frequently replacing baits.
Nussbaum’s comeback moved him into second place for the event, providing a strong start to the season. The National Walleye Tour continues later this month at Lake Oahe on May 20-21.
Highlighting the Winners
- Pro Division Champion: Austin Tomasek
- Total Weight: 86 lb. 9 oz.
- Winnings: $15,000 cash, brand new Ranger 620FS PRO powered by a 250 XL Pro XS FourStroke Mercury, and $500 Garmin bonus
“I came into this event really confident. All week in practice we were on big fish, just staying on them and making sure they didn’t move. Honestly, 80 pounds felt very doable, so I’m not surprised by the weight — but to get it done here, close to home, with family around is a dream come true.”
- 2nd Place: Dylan Nussbaum
- Total Weight: 78 lb. 10 oz.
- Winnings: $21,000 total payout, plus $500 Garmin bonus
“I came into today sitting way back and honestly just decided to go fishing. First fish was an 8.5, then a 9.5 ten minutes later — it just kept going. To go from 40th to second like that, you really can’t ask for anything more.”
- 3rd Place: Chad Schilling
- Total Weight: 77 lb. 10 oz.
- Winnings: $16,000 in winnings
“It was a brutal week of weather — tornadoes, snow, wind — but it finally paid us back today. After getting a solid start yesterday, I was able to stay relaxed and just hunt for the right fish. Honestly, just thankful to put it all together after how tough it started.”
