VALLEY CITY, ND, June 3rd, 2008: The National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA), a non-profit organization focused on growing the sport of fishing and increasing the professionalism of its members, is proud to congratulate NPAA member Mark Martin #226 on his 1st place finish at this year’s inaugural Professional Walleye Trail event in Mobridge, SD.

New NPAA member and Lund/Mercury Pro Mark Martin #226 of Twin Lake, Michigan used a winning combination of NPAA supporting partner Northland Tackle gumball jigs tipped with fathead minnows and a “dead rod” with Northland Rock Runner slip bouncers, leader, and minnow to entice numerous walleyes each day knowing he needed three solid 19+ inch fish each day and two walleyes over 20 inches. Each contestant can use two rods. Martin said, “With the shear numbers of fish we were catching, I knew I could hold out for some 22+ inchers. My equipment worked flawlessly, and it all came together.”

Taking 5th place with an outstanding year thus far is Ranger/Evinrude Pro Tommy Skarlis #11. Skarlis is on fire this season, placing 2nd at the 2007 PWT Championship in Bay City, MI just two weeks prior and now 5th in Mobridge, SD. Lake Oahe is one of the strongest fisheries in SD with limits of walleyes normal on this sprawling reservoir.

Lund/Mercury Pro Mike Gofron #93 placed 10th using similar tactics as his professional teammate and traveling partner, Mark Martin, catching solid limits 3-days in a row. NPAA members, teammates, and traveling partners Mark Martin #226, Mike Gofron #93, Mark Brumbaugh #70, and Dave Anderson #85 all placed in the top 20 dominating the exciting walleye factory on Lake Oahe.

To learn more about the NPAA and its members go to www.npaa.net