Pavlichek and Pionk Win Over $15,000 at Lake Huron Presented by Lowrance
Au Gres, Mich. — July 1, 2024 — The savvy anglers of the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Presented by Lowrance on Lake Huron had an eye on the forecast all week. Chris Pavlichek (Owendale, MI) and Andrew Pionk (Bay Port, MI) knew they may have to get while the getting was good, in what may become a one-day leader take all event. With a plan in place to catch 5 walleyes for around 20 lbs., they felt they could stay in the hunt if the event did run its full 2-day course. With a stroke of luck, they bagged 22 lbs. 12 oz. on the first day and with hazardous conditions on day two Chris and Andrew are left holding the lead and now the win.
No strangers to Saginaw Bay, Chris and Andrew spent most of their time pre fishing the northwest side of Charity Island near 25 of water. Both fished in events the two prior weeks on Lake Huron with Chris winning earlier in the month.
The winning fish were caught using gold and purple perch colored crank baits, though a few fish were also caught using crawler on harnesses.
This is the first big tournament win for the team and not only are they now champions at Lake Huron, but they also punch their ticket to Lake Francis Case in Pickstown, SD for the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Team Championship (NTC). Chris and Andrew rode home with the $10,000 powered by Dakota Lithium, $2,857 in Option Pot cash, $1,000 Lowrance HDS Pro/Active Target bonus, the NTC prize package, valued at $1,000, including paid entry, custom NTC jerseys, custom NTC qualifier plaques and cash travel stipend, pairing all that with the Okuma Reels bonus for a grand total over $15,000 in cash and prizes.
Let’s have a look at the top-five teams and what they’ve won:
2nd: Wayne Butz & Joe Sommers 22-00, $3,600 cash and $2,130 option pot cash, and $3,749 Lowrance 60” Ghost Trolling Motor (Big Fish Award)
3rd: Peter Schaefer & Ray Shankel 21-10, $2,300 cash and $1,428 option pot cash
4th: Steven Schooley & Dillion Pavlichek 21-01, $1,600 cash
5th: Kody Gordon & Randy Dittenbir 20-11, $1,200 cash
Anglers grom 8 states caught 162 fish weighing a total of 584 lbs. 10 oz. during the weather-shortened event. Landing a walleye weighing 6lbs. 8oz., Wayne Butz and Joe Sommers won the Lowrance Big Fish bonus, a 60” Ghost trolling motor, courtesy of Lowrance. The Dakota Lithium Comeback Award winners were Jacob and John Clark, receiving (3) Dakota Lithium batteries and chargers valued at over $4,200.
Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered in that event. New for 2024 is a GUARANTEED minimum $10,000 first place prize powered by Dakota Lithium 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, Dakota Lithium, 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 in Alexandria, MN. 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, Lew’s Fishing, Dakota Lithium, and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors include: The Walleye Federation, Church Tackle, FishLab, Okuma, T-H Marine and Salmo Java Coffee. For more information, email support@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call (580) 765-9031.
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