Illinois River Kickstarts the ‘25 Season with Maney and Wick as Champions
Presented By: Lowrance
Ponca City, Oklahoma – March 24, 2025 – The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit returned to Spring Valley, Illinois to fish the Illinois River for annual start to the season. With much better weather patterns than previous years, although not stable, anglers were excited to compete in the March sunshine. Day one started off with a bang, as local legend Steve “Pinky” Sandor and his son Adam Sandor took a healthy half pound lead with the largest bag of the event at 15 pounds and 7 ounces in their 31st appearance at Spring Valley to compete with the MWC.
Hot on their tail in second place with 14 pounds and 14 ounces after day 1 was the Wisconsin team of Tyler Maney and Thor Wick. Having fished a few Spring Valley tournaments as far back as the FLW days, they had a good understanding of how the Illinois River lays out. They were fishing a large clam bed that is well known but had the area of Red Can to themselves. Pulling three-ways with custom painted floating Rapalas was their ticket to success, catching one or two fish a pass and doing it again. They sorted and upgraded pre-spawn female saugers to steal the lead early on day 2 with a 10 pound 15 ounce bag, for a total of 25 pounds and 13 ounces that was enough to hold on to first place through weigh-in.
Earning a champions trophy in this Illinois River Masters Walleye Circuit Qualifier also comes with a paid berth into the 2026 National Team Championship. Tyler Maney and Thor Wick took home $12,400 in cash, the NTC prize package valued at $1000 consisting of custom NTC jerseys, custom NTC plaques, and a cash travel stipend, and the Ranger Cup bonus of $8,000 for a total of $21,400 in cash and prizes!
Additionally, many teams had very respectable weights and took home awards as well:
2nd: Chris Clemmons & Robert Hausler, 24-14, $6,100 Cash, $5,700 Option Pot Cash, and a
Brand New Lowrance Ghost Trolling Motor Valued at $3749
3rd: Corey Blair Kevin Hanson, 24-13, $4,150 Cash, $3,100 Option Pot Cash, and the
Lowrance Exclusive Bonus of $750
4th: Adam Sandor & Steve Sandor, 24-05, $3,150 Cash, $2,260 Option Pot Cash
5th: Dan Johnson & Walter Price, 24-05, $2,600 Cash, $1,840 Option Pot Cash
6th: Michael Martin Jr & Dusty Culjan, 23-07, $2,300 Cash, $1,840 Option Pot Cash, and the
Lowrance Ghost or Recon Trolling Motor Bonus of $500
Overall, 93 two-man teams competed in this event representing 9 different states, catching 653 fish for a total of 1261 pounds of healthy Illinois river sauger, saugeye, and walleye.
The Big Fish award on the Illinois River is consistently won by a team that manages to find a pre-spawn walleye. Day 1 was won by a walleye that weighed 6lbs and 9oz caught by Ryan Feldott and Brandon Samolitis. Day 2 Big Fish was held by Dan Johnson and Walter Price with a healthy 4lbs and 12oz. Respectively, both teams were awarded their cash prize and a sponsorship package from Salmo Java consisting of two aero presses, coffee, and hats.
As part of the 2025 MWC season, anglers will vie for a coveted spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s World Walleye Championship in Devil’s Lake North Dakota. 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. MWC’s “Living the Dream” team, using points from four qualifiers throughout the regular season, will earn a sponsorship package valued up to $15,000 which includes a spot to compete in the National Team Championship and up to four paid MWC events.
Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered into that event. Overall payout 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/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 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 since 1984 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 2025 schedule includes six qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2026 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship on Devils Lake, North Dakota.
Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s are looking forward to their 24th 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, T-H Marine and Salmo Java Coffee.
For more information, contact support@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call (580) 765-9031.
