Ponca City, Okla. —July 8, 2019 – The 6th stop for the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit in 2019 is another angler favorite, presented by Mercury. The Bay of Green Bay provides opportunity for a host of catching techniques, plus has the numbers and size classes to excite anyone who wets a line in this Lake Michigan arm. 
Many of the fishing patterns in the bay shift from the west to the east as the summer rolls on. Anglers participating in the event may not have a far run to where they will catch their 5-best fish to bring the scales for weigh-in at the Lodge at Leathem Smith, in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Though never easy to win, this Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC event will not be one to miss by anyone wanting to be called one of the “Toughest Walleye Anglers on Planet Earth”!
Another factor at play now with 5 events behind is the “Team of The Year” standings. Jim Schiefelbein (Marseilles, IL) and Chad Knottek, (Ottawa, IL) lead the way after a win on the Detroit River earlier this year as well as solid finishes at Lake McConaughy and Lake Erie. Rounding out the top 3 are the Utica, MN team of Peter and Ted Mart followed by Scott Geitgey (Canton, OH) and David Kolb (Gand Blanc, MI).
Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered into that event, and is awarded to 20% of the field, providing more inspiration to sign up and join the fun. In addition, to a hefty check, the first-place team also earns a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Team Championship (NTC) prize package including paid entry, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques. Additionally, the big-fish pot, option pot and sponsor bonuses from Ranger Cup, Lowrance, Okuma, AirWave and T-H Marine Atlas Awards add thousands more for distribution among the field.
Teams earning points in at least three qualifiers each season compete for coveted berths in a World Walleye Championship. Qualified teams from 2019 will fish the 2020 World Walleye Championship, set for October 2020 on the mighty Mississippi River in the Quad Cities. Those earning points in at least four qualifiers compete for Team of the Year honors, including a $10,000 sponsorship package and thousands more in cash and prizes to the top 10 teams in the final “best of 4” final standing each year.
As a bonus benefit to all MWC anglers as well as all TWF members nationwide, Official Sponsor Lowe Equipment Attachments offers a 20 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.
Daily live weigh-ins at the Lodge at Leathem Smith are free and open to the public beginning at 3:00pm both days August 2, 3. If you can’t make it in person you can watch the weigh-ins live, online, at masterswalleyecircuit.com or on our Facebook page.
For the area youth, there is something for you immediately after the day-one weigh-in on Friday, we offer a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic in conjunction with the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA). The first 50 youth will receive a free rod-and-reel combo!
Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is North America’s longest-running and undisputed leader in team walleye tournaments and as an inductee into the freshwater fishing hall of fame, has set the standard for competitive walleye fishing for 35 years and is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2019 schedule includes eight qualifiers in six states, plus the 2020 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship. Registration is now open for all events, and the registration deadline for the Sturgeon Bay tournament is close of business July 29th. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s – The World’s Foremost Outfitters, are in their 18th season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: 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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