REGISTRATION CLOSES MONDAY APRIL 9th
Ponca City, Okla.—April 2, 2018—Walleye anglers who enjoy the thrill of competition and the excitement of catching big fish are invited to compete in the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s Detroit River regular-season tournament April 13-14.
Headquartered at scenic Elizabeth Park in Trenton, Michigan, and presented by Lowrance Electronics, the two-day, team-format event offers anglers a chance to test their skills on one of North America’s premier spring walleye fisheries. Flush with an influx of spawn-run walleyes from Lake Erie, the Detroit River routinely produces sag-bellied trophies topping 10 pounds.
“Last year, weights were decent but down a little bit due to challenging conditions and restricted fishing boundaries on day one,” says MWC Tournament Director Jack Baker. “But it normally takes a 10-fish limit with an 8-pound or better average to win here. For example, Mitch Dougherty and Dan Stier won in 2016 with 85 pounds, 13 ounces. And in 2015, Steve and Dan Bodinger sacked a two-day, 10-fish MWC limit weighing 90 pounds, 11 ounces, to break the MWC’s all-time two-day basket record.”
Weather permitting, teams will enjoy two full days of competition on the U.S. and Canadian sides of the 32-mile waterway, along with their choice of downstream hotspots on legendary Lake Erie. Teams will be allowed to bring their best five fish to the scale each day, and the team with the highest two-day total weight will be crowned the Detroit River champions.
The Cabela’s MWC’s lucrative payouts, which are based on the number of teams entered in each event, provide even more inspiration to join the fun. In addition, the MWC big-fish pot, option pot payouts and sponsor bonuses including Ranger Cup, Lowrance Electronics, Okuma, AirWave and T-H Marine Atlas Awards add thousands more to the total. Plus, the first-place team wins a $1,000 Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package including paid NTC entry, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques.
Such winnings quickly add up. At the recent Illinois River MWC tournament, for example, winners Jeff Lahr and Jason Hancock were rewarded with a $13,700 payday, while the top 20 percent of the field shared more than $60,000 in cash and prizes.
Teams fishing three or more tournaments also compete for coveted berths in the championship, which is comprised of the top point-accumulating teams from the previous year’s season and offers payouts based on the previous year’s participation. Teams that qualify in 2018 will fish the 2019 championship, set for October 3-5, 2019 on Wisconsin’s incomparable Lake Winnebago System.
Teams fishing at least MWC four qualifiers also compete for Team of the Year awards, including a $10,000 sponsorship package and thousands more in cash and Cabela’s Cash cards, as well as fully paid entries into a full season of great walleye action.
As an added bonus, Official Sponsor Lowe Equipment Attachments offers all Cabela’s MWC anglers a 25 percent discount off the MSRP on all its auger, trenching and grapple products available through Midwest Attachments, LLC. For information on that program, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com/tournaments/contingencies.
Adding to the excitement, weigh-ins typically draw a large crowd of walleye fans. Select MWC events are also filmed for national airing on Federation Angler TV. Plus, the Cabela’s MWC and National Professional Anglers Association will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after the day-one weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rod-and-reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.
North America’s longest-running and undisputed leader in team walleye tournaments, the Cabela’s MWC has set the standard for competitive walleye fishing since 1984. Operated under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2018 tournament schedule includes eight qualifiers in seven states, plus the 2019 Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship. Registration for 2018 events is now open, and the deadline for registering for the Detroit River tournament is Monday, April 9 at 4 p.m. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for updates, official rules and registration information.
Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering its 17th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Bass Pro Shops, Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, Church Tackle, MotorGuide, Okuma, Power-Pole and T-H Marine. For more information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.
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