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Cabela’s North American Bass Circuit Heads For Leech Lake Regular Season Finale

 Sep 17th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Sep 17th, 2013 at 12:00 AM

Ponca City, Okla.-Sept. 16, 2013-An epic bass fishing showdown is in the works when the Cabela’s North American Bass Circuit completes its 2013 North Region regular season schedule on Minnesota’s mighty Leech Lake out of Horseshoe Bay Lodge Sept. 20-21.

The team-format tournament, presented by Stratos Boats, offers a full day of competition on the 112,000-acre lake’s incredible bass fishery. Teams are scheduled to fish 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, with Saturday reserved in case foul weather causes a cancellation on Friday. The team with the heaviest total weight for up to five largemouth bass will be crowned the Leech Lake tournament champions.

Given Leech Lake’s amazing yet lightly fished bass population, anglers can expect world-class action. Last September, the father-and-son team of Bernie and Brad Ksionek sacked an impressive 18.72-pound, 5-fish limit to win top honors and $10,400 in cash at the Cabela’s NABC’s Leech Lake qualifier.

Bass fans of all ages are invited to watch the action unfold at the weigh-in, which is free and open to the public, and begins at 3 p.m. at Horseshoe Bay Lodge. The Cabela’s NABC and National Professional Anglers Association will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after the weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rod-and-reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.

Cabela’s NABC payouts are based on the number of teams entered in each event. Based on a 75-boat field, the payout runs from a cool $15,000 for first place on out to $500 for 15th place, with a total payout of $30,000 in cash and coveted Cabela’s gift cards. Plus, the NABC Big Bass Pot, along with sponsor contingencies including Cabela’s Angler Cash, Ranger Cup and Optima True Blue add thousands in cash and prizes to the total.

Teams competing in multiple events can reap even greater rewards. Those fishing at least two NABC tournaments have a shot at qualifying for the prestigious, high-stakes championship, which offers a $20,000 first-place purse. The North Region Team of the Year title will also be awarded to the team finishing the regular season with the highest point total from any three NABC qualifiers. The title is worth a $2,000 Cabela’s gift card, plaques and paid entry into the championship.

This is the fourth and final Cabela’s NABC North Region qualifying tournament in 2013. The North Region Championship is set for Oct. 11-12 on Wisconsin’s Chippewa Flowage. In addition, the NABC will kick off its South Region with an open tournament on Lake Lanier, Georgia, in December.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in its third season as title sponsor of the NABC. Other sponsors include: Ranger Boats, Stratos Boats, Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, Optima Batteries, O2 Marine Technologies and Sea Grant.
Based in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the Cabela’s NABC is open to two-person teams regardless of club or sponsor affiliation. Entry fees are $500 per regular season tournament and $600 for the two-day regional championship. Payback is 80 percent at the event, with the balance to support the championship and angler of the year prizes. In addition, a small donation is included in each entry fee and matched by NABC and other conservation organizations up to 3-to-1 in support bass conservation projects anywhere NABC does business. For more information, visit northamericanbasscircuit.com, email [email protected], or call (580) 765-9031.