Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Returns To Big Stone Lake, May 15-16
Presented by Okuma
Ponca City, Okla.—April 20, 2015—A rich tradition in the walleye tournament world continues when the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit returns to Big Stone Lake on the Minnesota-South Dakota border for a qualifying tournament presented by Okuma May 15-16.
Throughout its 31-year history, the Circuit has held springtime qualifiers and Championships alike at the world-famous impoundment, leading walleye in-siders to coin the phrase, “When the lilacs are blooming, it’s time for the MWC to visit Big Stone Lake.”
Launching from Lake Side Park in scenic Ortonville, the event offers two-person teams a shot at hungry post-spawn walleyes that traditionally hit a variety of patterns throughout the 11,983-acre lake, ranging from shoreline jigging to offshore trolling. At last year’s mid-May MWC Big Stone qualifier, Minnesotans Justin Heinrich and Cody Backstrand claimed victory with a 10-fish, 34-pound, 3-ounce two-day total. The pair
trolled spinner rigs with leeches 1.2 to 1.3 mph in 12 feet of water along a transition between rock, gravel and sand about a mile north of Ortonville.
Besides a shot at great fishing and the thrill of competition, the Cabela’s MWC offers lucrative payouts. In 2014 the Circuit rewarded anglers with a total payback of more than 127 percent.
Payouts are based on the number of teams entered in each event. Plus, the MWC Big Fish Pot and sponsor bonuses from Ranger, Lowrance, Abu Garcia, Zippo Outdoor Brands and Okuma add thousands more to the total. As an added incentive, the first-place team will win a $1,000 Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package including paid NTC entry, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques. And new for 2014, the creation of an option pot adds even more chances to cash in. At the recent Detroit River qualifier, for example, tournament champions Steve and Dan Bodinger added $3,900 in option pot cash to their total winnings.
Adding to the excitement, all Cabela’s MWC tournaments are designated as “State Championship Qualifying Events.” Teams from the state where the event is held are eligible, along with teams from a state not hosting an MWC event in 2015 (provided at least 10 teams from their state are competing in the event). Besides bragging rights, state champions will earn a $1,000 prize package including custom trophies, decals, a berth in the Cabela’s NTC, and a spot on the MWC website’s Wall of Fame. In states hosting two events, teams must fish both tournaments to be in the running, which means Minnesota teams must fish the Big Stone and Cass Lake qualifiers for a shot at the North Star State title.
Two-person teams will be allowed to weigh five walleyes measuring 15 inches and over each day, and the team with the heaviest two-day total weight will be crowned the winners. Weigh-ins, which are free and open to the public, will be held at Lake Side Park beginning at 3 p.m. daily. As a bonus to budding tournament fans, the Cabela’s MWC, National Professional Anglers Association, Pure Fishing and Zippo Outdoor Brands will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after the day-one weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rods and reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.
Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. Deadline to register for the Big Stone Lake tournament is Monday, May 11th.
Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in its 14th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Abu Garcia, Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats, The Walleye Federation and Zippo Outdoor Brands. Associate sponsors include: Yellow Bird Fishing Products, Okuma, T-H Marine and Tight Lines Jewelry. For more information, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.
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