Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Returns To Big Stone Lake May 16-18
Category: npaa
May 1st, 2014 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified May 1st, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Ponca City, Okla.-April 29, 2014-The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit continues a rich tradition in competitive team walleye fishing when it returns to Big Stone Lake May 16-18 for a regular-season qualifying tournament.
Throughout its 30-year history, the Circuit’s faithful have made numerous pilgrimages to this fertile fishery along the Minnesota-South Dakota border, for qualifiers and World Walleye Championships alike. And for years, walleye tournament anglers knew that when the lilacs blossomed in May, it was time for the Cabela’s MWC to head for Big Stone Lake.
That tradition continues this spring when the Circuit rolls into Ortonville, Minnesota, and walleye fans from across the Midwest are invited to pick a partner and compete for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes in a professionally run setting. Teams will be allowed to weigh five fish per day, and the team with the heaviest two-day total weight will be crowned the tournament champions. The event is scheduled for May 16-17, with May 18 reserved in case bad weather forces the cancellation of one of the first two days. Be advised, however, registration closes at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 12.
Cabela’s MWC payouts are based on the number of teams entered in each event. Plus, the MWC Big Fish Pot, along with sponsor bonuses including Ranger Cup, Berkley Baits, Lowrance Electronics, Optima True Blue and the Zippo Hot Hands Big Fish Award add thousands more to the total.
The public is invited to the weigh-ins, which begin at 4 p.m. daily at Riverside Park in Ortonville. The Cabela’s MWC, National Professional Anglers Association, Pure Fishing and Zippo Outdoor Brands will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after the first day’s weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rods and reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.
Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2014 trail includes 10 stops spread across seven states in the Walleye Belt. Teams showcase their skills-and sponsor products-at world-class venues such as the Illinois, Detroit and Mississippi rivers, Green Bay, Big Stone Lake, Kinzua Reservoir, Cass Lake and Lake Erie.
Along with great payouts at each event, teams fishing three or more tournaments battle for coveted berths in the 2015 Cabela’s MWC Championship, set for October 2015 on Lake Erie out of Huron, Ohio. Teams fishing at least three qualifiers also compete for Team of the Year awards, including a $25,000 “Living the Dream” sponsorship package, which includes fully paid entries to the Cabela’s National Walleye Trail as a pro and co-angler, use of a 600 series Ranger boat, travel stipends and more.
Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in its 12th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, Ranger Boats, The Walleye Federation and Zippo Outdoor Brands. Associate sponsors include: Berkley Trilene, Church Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, Optima Batteries, Rockstar Hitch Mounted Mud Flaps, T-H Marine and Sea Grant.
Entry fees are $650 per tournament, of which more than 100 percent is returned to anglers at the qualifiers, World Championship and Team of the Year races. Registration closes at 10 a.m. on Monday prior to each tournament. For more information, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com, email [email protected], or call (580) 765-9031.