Cabela’s North American Bass Circuit Kicks Off 2016 Season

June 18th On Wisconsin’s Minocqua Chain Of Lakes

Presented by Ranger Boats

Ponca City, Okla.-June 6, 2016-Midwestern bass fans have a shot at great team-format tournament action and thousands in cash and prizes when the Cabela’s North American Bass Circuit kicks off its 2016 season on northern Wisconsin’s legendary Minocqua Chain of Lakes June 18th.

The event offers a single day of competition on the renowned fishery, and is open to all two-person teams regardless of sponsor or club affiliation. Teams will be allowed to bring their best five large- or smallmouth bass to the scale, and the team with the heaviest total will be crowned the champions.

Besides great bass fishing and the thrill of competing in a professionally run setting, teams will vie for serious cash and bragging rights. Cabela’s NABC payouts are based on the number of teams entered in each event. Qualifying tournaments with 75 teams or more offer a guaranteed first-place cash purse of $10,000 plus additional payout to the top 20 percent of the field. Plus, the NABC Big Bass Pot, along with sponsor bonuses including Ranger Cup, Stratos 2X and Garmin Grand Giveaway add thousands to the total.

At the 2015 Cabela’s NABC season opener on Sturgeon Bay, for example, winners Troy Norman and Andrew Carlson collected $10,150 in cash and Cabela’s cash cards for their victory.

The 2016 Cabela’s NABC season includes four qualifiers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, on a diverse selection of largemouth and smallmouth bass fisheries at peak fishing times. The remaining schedule includes Lake Minnewaska, Minnesota, July 16; Lake Wissota, Wisconsin, July 30; Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, August 13. The Cabela’s NABC Championship is set for October 1-2 at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Teams may fish one or all qualifiers, but those competing in multiple events can reap even greater rewards. Those fishing at least three NABC tournaments have a shot at qualifying for the prestigious, high-stakes Cabela’s NABC World Bass Championship, which offers $15,000 for first place and $10,000 for second, based on full fields at the qualifiers and championship.

Team of the Year titles will also be awarded to the top five teams, led by a $3,600 prize package for the overall Team of the Year, which includes paid entry fees to all four 2017 qualifiers and the 2016 championship, $1,000 Cabela’s in gift cards and handsome trophies.

Bass fans of all ages are invited to watch the action unfold at the weigh-in, which is free, open to the public, and starts at 3 p.m. at The Beacons of Minocqua Lakefront Resort and Suites.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering its sixth season as title sponsor of the NABC. Other sponsors include: Ranger Boats, Stratos Boats, Mercury Marine, Garmin, MotorGuide, G-Juice and T-H Marine.

The Cabela’s NABC is based in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Entry fees are $500 per regular season tournament and $600 for the two-day championship. Along with an overall payback of more than 116 percent in 2015, a small donation is included in each entry fee and matched by the NABC and other conservation organizations up to 3-to-1 in support of bass conservation projects anywhere the NABC does business.

For more information, visit northamericanbasscircuit.com, email [email protected], or call (580) 765-9031.