Chamberlain/Oacoma, SD to Host 2nd Stop of Masters Walleye Circuit 2024 Season on The Missouri River Presented By – Ranger Boats
Ponca City, Okla. – 29 March 2024 – The second stop of the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC), presented by Ranger Boats, takes the field to a familiar and exciting body of water for most anglers, the Missouri River in the Chamberlain/Oacoma, SD area on April 26th and 27th 2024. Lake Francis Case and this section of the river boast huge numbers of walleyes and the MWC will be visiting at a perfect time that coincides with a hot post spawn bite after the annual spring “run” up from the lake and into the river and into the back of creek arms on Lake Francis Case itself.
This impoundment on the Missouri River is over 100 miles long and will challenge anglers as they come to South Dakota in search of post spawn walleyes and saugers. After the rigors of a long journey to the spawning grounds, these fish only have one thing on their mind. And that is to eat and recuperate. This leaves the door wide open for “The Toughest Anglers on Planet Earth” to target these fish with almost any presentation they want.
South Dakota native and MWC Premier team member Tom Albrecht had this to say about the river out west, “This should be a fun tournament. The entire field of anglers should be able to catch fish using multiple different presentations. These fish will be on the move up and down the river and those two “overs” (over 20” walleyes) will make all the difference. There are a lot of miles of river that teams will be looking at to bring in their fish.”
Event specifics include a 7:00 am (CDT) take-off each day and live weigh-ins both at the Arrowhead Cedar Shore Resort at 3:15 pm (CDT) on April 26th and 27th, 2024. Spectators are welcomed to witness the excitement in person weigh in are free and open to the public, or follow the action live online at masterswalleyecircuit.com or on the official Facebook page, facebook.com/MastersWalleyeCircuit
As part of the 2024 MWC season, anglers will vie for a coveted spot in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s World Walleye Championship in Alexandria, MN. Teams can participate in as many events as they wish, with points earned in at least three qualifiers necessary for an invitation to the World Walleye Championship. 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.
While everyone is welcome and encouraged to come and fish all MWC events or just 1 that gets close to you, for a shot at a great payback and prizes, the NEW points structure for 2024 better protects those teams fishing 3 or more events. It is based in part on angler feedback received during previous seasons. MWC Rule #14 now explains that MWC teams that register for the last two (2) events each year and have not fished any previous MWC events that season, can still fish and win BIG, but with only two possible scores from the last two events they cannot advance so points don’t matter to those anglers and so they will receive none. They do matter to MWC teams who have fished all year and are working on qualifying for the World Walleye
Championship (WWC) or a Team of the Year (TOY) titles, their points at the last two events of the season will now be awarded based on their fishing abilities against others on in same position. I.E. those fishing 3 or more events.
Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entering that event. New for 2024 is a GUARANTEED minimum $10,000 first place prize at every event. Overall payout is still 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/Cabela’s National Team Championship (NTC) prize package including: paid entry, a travel stipend, team jerseys, and plaques. Additionally, the big-fish pot, option-pot and sponsor bonuses from Ranger Cup, Lowrance and Okuma will add thousands more for distribution among the field.
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 the past 40 years. The MWC is open to walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2024 schedule includes seven qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship. Registration is now open for all events. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.
Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s are in their 23rd season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors include: The Walleye Federation, Church Tackle, FishLab, Okuma, and T-H Marine. For more information, email support@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.
