Mickey Stuefen and Carl Holten with part of their leaderboard-topping day two limit.
Cass Lake, Minn.—Sept. 15, 2017—Iowans Carl Holten and Mickey Stuefen sacked a 5-fish limit weighing 17 pounds, 1 ounce to take the lead on day two of the three-day Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit 2017 World Walleye Championship on the Cass Lake Chain out of Stony Point Resort.
“This is really exciting,” said Holten, of Harpers Ferry. “It’s a great spot to be in.”
Their weight was anchored by a 7-pound, 15-ounce walleye that was also the tournament’s big fish of the day. “We got that fish at about 9:30,” Holten recalled. “We were high-fiving because that’s what it takes in an event like this—that one big kicker fish.”
Presented by Cabela’s, the MWC Championship runs Sept. 14-16 and features the top 41 two-person teams from the circuit’s 2016 regular season. The anglers are battling for more than $100,000 in cash and prizes.
Teams were eager to get on the water today after tournament officials were forced to cancel day one’s fishing due to extremely heavy fog that persisted through the half-day cutoff point for shortened fishing days.
Holten reported that the team was fishing live-bait rigs, a popular technique among anglers on Cass Lake. “It’s not a secret,” he laughed. “Ninety-five percent of the other teams are probably doing that, too.”
He also admitted that leading the tournament is a “little nerve-wracking,” but said he and Stuefen, of Cedar Rapids, plan to stick to their guns and follow a similar strategy tomorrow. “We’re going to do the same thing,” he said. “If the fish cooperate, I think we’ll be right there.”
Winning the event would be a dream come true, he added. “I told my wife there’s one more thing I want to cross off my bucket list, and that’s a championship,” he said. “Right now, we’re in the hunt for it.”
Jeff Lahr and Tommy Skarlis are currently in second place.
Fellow Iowans Jeff Lahr, of Dubuque, and Tommy Skarlis, of Waukon, were close behind in second place with 16 pounds, 8 ounces. Spencer Deutz, of Moorhead, Minnesota, and Ron Deutz, of Fargo, North Dakota, were in third with 15 pounds, 4 ounces. In all, 200 walleyes weighing 365 pounds, 7 ounces came to the scale and a full 97 percent were returned to the lake in the MWC’s time-tested and research-proven catch-and-release format.
For today’s results, CLICK HERE.
To view weigh-in photos, CLICK HERE.
Or CLICK HERE for on-the-water photos of the MWC competitors in action.
The Cabela’s MWC and National Professional Anglers Association presented a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately following the weigh-in. Youths received fishing, safety and conservation advice from MWC anglers, along with free rod-and-reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.
Youngers lined up with their new tackle after the youth clinic.
The action continues tomorrow at Stony Point Resort, which hosts launches and weigh-ins. Teams are scheduled to take off at 7 a.m., and the final weigh-in starts at 3 p.m. The public is encouraged to enjoy the excitement live at Stony Point. Fans unable to attend the weigh-in can watch the drama unfold online via live streaming video coverage and an updated leaderboard, both at masterswalleyecircuit.com.
On-the-water and weigh-in action is also being filmed for national television airing on Federation Angler TV, which appears on the Pursuit Channel. For Federation Angler TV schedules, visit federationangler.com.
Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. The Cabela’s MWC’s 2018 schedule has already been announced and features eight qualifiers in seven states. The lineup includes the Illinois River, Detroit River, Lake Erie at Lorain, Ohio, Lake McConaughy, Lake Francis Case, Lake of the Woods, Green Bay and Cass Lake. For dates and complete details, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com.
Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is wrapping up its 16th season as title sponsor of the MWC and is eagerly awaiting the 2018 season. Official sponsors include: Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, Bagley Baits, Church Tackle, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.
Ron and Spencer Deutz landed in third place heading into Saturday’s final round.
