The Scouting Report: A weekly digest

Record walleye, peaking population, babies with syphilis, youth sports decline

Keith Pazour knew right away that he had hooked a big fish. His fishing rod thrashed and whatever was on the end of his line was heavy — really heavy.

“I didn’t realize it was a state record,” he said.

Indeed, the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks says Pazour caught a record walleye in the hook and line category on Nov. 11. The giant weighed in at 17 pounds, 13 ounces.

Pazour, 44, has been fishing since he was old enough to get in the boat with his grandfather. He had been doing well on Lake Oahe the last month and a half when he decided to go out by himself on Nov. 11.

After the fish hit, he slowed his boat down and took care not to lose it. He says it took about 10 minutes to reel in the fish, which had a lot of fight. The fish is destined for his wall, “no doubt about that,” he said.

And he has advice for his fellow anglers. Pazour has been keeping it under his hat that he’s been using Walleye Nation Creation Reapers, the crankbait he was using when he caught the record. But word is getting out about the bait, and he recommends its use.

“They are going nuts after them,” he said. “I don’t know why.”

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