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Cabela’s MWC Kicks Off West Division On Lake Oahe

Category: npaa

 Apr 28th, 2010 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Apr 28th, 2010 at 12:00 AM

April 27, 2010 Minnetonka, MN-A reversal of fortunes awaits anglers and fans alike when the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit rolls into Mobridge, South Dakota, May 8-9 to square off on mighty Lake Oahe. A prolonged walleye renaissance and improved water conditions bode well for teams fishing the catch-and-release tournament.

“The water is much clearer, and the ice took out a lot of the snags that gave us fits in the shoreline shallows last year,” said veteran Oahe guide and MWC volunteer Denny Palmer. In fact, it’s a dramatically difference scene from 2009, when MWC teams faced some of the toughest conditions in circuit history. Challenges included high, muddy water and a late spring that delayed the walleye spawn and pushed the dreaded smelt run-which can grind even the hottest fishing pattern to a standstill-into the competition days. As a result, the 61 teams brought a total of 54 fish to the scale, and Kansans Jim Perry and Aaron Wagner scored the win with three fish weighing 15.72 pounds.

“The smelt run is already about halfway done, so it shouldn’t be a factor by tournament time this year,” said Palmer, who operates Mo Pro Guide Service on the sprawling Missouri River impoundment. “I think we’re going to see multiple limits, and it will take at least 12 to 15 pounds each day to win it.”

MWC teams will have an abundance of fishing areas, from the North Dakota border south to the Highway 212 bridge. The entire Moreau River will be fair game, as well as the Grand River west to the Spurline Bridge (abandoned railroad bridge). Palmer expects a variety of presentations to produce walleye gold, including the shallow jig bite, near-shore stickbait trolling, and pulling shad-style baits like Berkley Flicker Shads deep on lead-core.

At press time 39 teams had signed up to compete, making a total purse of $20,280 paying seven places with first place at $8,350. Sponsor contingency bonuses could add another $3,700 along with a big-fish pot for a total purse topping $25,000.

Sponsor bonuses are planned as follows:
Cabela’s Angler Cash of $500 or $1,000. Full details can be found at www.cabelas.com/anglercash .
Ranger Boats offers $1,000 in Ranger Cup for the top finishing Ranger Cup qualifier.
The Oxygenator/U2 offers a $200 bonus for teams using U2 in the livewell.
Lowrance HDS unit owners are competing for a $500 bonus.
Berkley Premier Team top three teams cashing in $500, $300 and $200 respectively in Cabelas gift cards. Plus, the first two rounds of the West Division bracket competition will kick off.

Teams will launch at 7 a.m. at Indian Creek Boat Ramp. Weigh-ins are free and open to the public. They are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the parking lot behind the Scherr-Howe Arena in Mobridge. The MWC and National Professional Anglers Association will present a Youth  Family Fishing Clinic immediately after Saturday’s weigh-in. Youths receive rods and reels donated by Cabela’s and Berkley, and tackle packages courtesy of Northland Fishing Tackle.

The rest of the season is as follows:

Central
June 5  6 – Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Lake Winnebago) combined with Cabela’s NTC
September 11  12 – Escanaba, Michigan (Bays de Noc)

East
June 18 – 20 – Sandusky, Ohio (Lake Erie)
August 6 – 8 – Au Gres, Michigan (Saginaw Bay)

West
May 8  9 – Mobridge, South Dakota (Lake Oahe)
August 21  22 – Devils Lake, North Dakota (Devils Lake)
September 18  19 – Webster, South Dakota, (Waubay Lake)

Championship

October 14 – 16 – Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin (Mississippi River – Pools 9  10) Invitation Only
 
The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is the longest running professional walleye tournament circuit in the United States and now in the 26th year of operations.  For more information on the Cabela’s MWC, visit: www.masterswalleyecircuit.com.  Questions – email: [email protected] or call: 877-893-7947 extension 4.

Cabela’s, the world’s foremost outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering their ninth season as title sponsor of the MWC.  Official sponsors of the MWC include: Ranger Boats, Mercury, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Fishouflage, Berkley, Versus (Vs.) Television Network and North American Fishing Club.  Associate Sponsors include: Abu Garcia, Fin-tech, O2 Marine Technologies, Northland Fishing Tackle, 3-IN-ONE No Rust Shield, Ryjus and Reflections Printing.