Sturgeon Bay, Wisc — August5, 2019 — Sunshine and summertime was in full-swing for the 82 teams at Sturgeon Bay, WI August 2-3, presented by Mercury. Low winds and bluebird skies made fishing conditions comfortable, but fish-catching a bit more challenging.  For the champions, Matt Vanden Heuvel (Neenah, WI) and Chris Pockat (Gillett, WI), it was conditions their pre-fishing prepared them for.

When asked after their win on Saturday, what was the key to sealing the deal, Chris Pockat said “It was time on the water weeks ahead. We have been on this pattern for a while now and we knew it would hold if it was windy or calm.” Walleye fishing is generally thought to be better with a little “walleye chop” and though often that holds true on the Bay of Green Bay, the “Toughest Walleye Anglers on Planet Earth” often find a way to overcome the adversity of the weather.

“We pulled harnesses deep on structure” Matt mentioned after the event. “We stuck to this and didn’t know if it was going to be enough after yesterday” On day-one, Matt and Chris handed in a third-place basket weighing 32-15, nearly ten pounds behind the first day leaders of Nick Mills (Whitelaw, WI) and Trevor Gantz (Ashwaubenon, WI). Matt continued “We were thinking with the lack of wind today (Saturday) that the bite would be off for others.”

Matt and Chris knew winning in Sturgeon Bay would be a challenge, but their preparation for anything that may come their way set them up for a close, but accomplishing win. Matt quipped while holding the trophy that the next item he needed to be able to win again was the 2020 Ranger 622FS that was nearby. Ranger Boats along with Pamp’s Outboards (Green Bay) gave test rides in the much-hyped new multispecies boat during the weekend at the Lodge at Leathem Smith in Sturgeon Bay.

With 69-10 of fish, Vanden Heuvel and Pockat took home $17,200.50 in cash and prizes, including the $11,300 first-place cash payout, $3,900.50 option pot cash, $500 Lowrance Bonus, $500 AirWave certificate and a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package, including paid entry into the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s NTC, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques.

The rest of the top five teams:

2^nd: Dan Woodke & Steve Meyer 69-05, $6,000 cash, $2,700 option pot cash, $1000 Ranger Cup

3^rd: Max Wilson & Isaac Lakich 68-03, $3,700 cash, $2,100 option pot cash

4^th: Kevin & Eric McQuiod 67-10, $2,750 cash, $1,440 option pot cash,

5^th: Mike Hanson & JJ. Debernardi 65-01 $2,250

All together the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit awarded $62,990.50 in cash and prizes in Port Clinton.

544 fish weighed a total of 2560lbs- 08ozs during the event. Team of Louie Apitz and Buck Gehm took home “Big Fish” honors with their 10-01 walleye on Saturday. National Professional Angler Association member Max Wilson presented the NPAA’s Youth and Family Fishing Clinic for an enthusiastic group, Friday afternoon, immediately following the weigh-in and gave away fishing rods to attendees.

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.

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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Ponca City, Okla.—Aug 3, 2019— The stage is set for the 2020 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit. With seven championship-qualifying events planted in seven different states across the walleye world, the MWC looks to make their 36^th season their best one yet. The new season will pit the “Toughest Walleye Anglers on Planet Earth” against each other for a chance at the famed 2021 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship, which will be held September 30-October 2, 2021 in Lake City, MN.

“We have spoken to and surveyed anglers from all over the country, trying our best to fit the pieces of the puzzle together and give them the most exciting schedule we can.” Tournament emcee Jeff Kelm said. “The excellent fisheries along with community support should make the 2020 MWC season a fantastic ride for all involved.”

The 2020 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC tournament schedule looks like this:

March 20-21               Illinois River, Spring Valley, IL

April 17-18                 Detroit River (river only), Trenton, MI

May 15-16                 Bay of Green Bay, Marinette, WI

June 12-13                  Lake Erie, Lorain, OH

June 26-27                  Missouri River, Mobridge, SD

July 10-11                  Lake Sakakawea, New Town, ND

September 18-19              Cass Lake, Cass Lake, MN

Oct. 8-10, 2020             MWC World Walleye Championship, Mississippi River, Quad Cities*

(*qualifying teams from 2019 MWC tournament season)

Sept 30-Oct 2              2021 MWC World Walleye Championship, Lake City, MN.

The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC’s lucrative payouts, based on the number of teams entered in each event, provide even more inspiration to join the fun. In addition, the MWC big-fish pot, option pot payouts and sponsor bonuses including Ranger Cup, Lowrance Electronics, Okuma, AirWave and T-H Marine Atlas Awards add thousands more to the total. As a result, winners routinely pocket $10,000 to $15,000 or more in cash and prizes. Plus, the first-place team wins a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package including paid NTC entry, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques.

Teams fishing three or more tournaments also compete for coveted berths in the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship, which is comprised of the top point-accumulating teams from the previous year’s season and offers payouts based on the previous year’s participation. Teams that qualify in 2020 will fish the 2021 championship, at Lake City, MN.

Teams fishing at least four qualifiers compete for “Team of the Year” awards including a $10,000 “MWC Living the Dream” sponsorship package and thousands more in cash, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s gift cards and paid tournament entries.

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. Registration for the 2020 events will open in January 3, 2020 online at masterswalleyecircuit.com.

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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Ponca City, Okla. —August 1st, 2019 ­­– Though the waters may not be raising at the levels they once were, it doesn’t calm the conversations surrounding the historical watershed that is Devils Lake in North Dakota. Presented by Rangers Boats, competitors on the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit will look to capitalize on the various structures and nuances that Devils Lake provides, as they compete August 16-17.

Suzie Kenner, Executive Director of the Devils Lake CVB says the community is ready for that anglers and families. “We always look forward to having the Masters Walleye Circuit in town. It’s a real fun group of men and women.” Suzie added “The Resorts and cabins are filling with reservations and the bait shops are ready for the anglers to fill up with what they need.” North Dakota’s Grahams Island State Park will play host to the weigh-in festivities and fish will be donated to the Devils Lake community’s free-will “Fish Fry and Corn Feed.”

Two-time winning team of Troy Morris and Corey Heiser look to make this year’s event win number three for the artificial-bait only team. “The lake is so versatile, there is fish in 4 feet of water and 40 feet of water at any time of the year.” Troy Morris said. “Our two wins and our second-place finish were done with fish caught in three entirely different parts of the lake.” Troy added that memories will hurt you on this lake, you can spend a lot of time fishing places of the past and driving right over the new locations.

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 Grahams Island State Park are free and open to the public beginning at 3:00pm both days August 16, 17.  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 Devils Lake tournament is close of business August 12^th.  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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Ponca City, Okla. —July 8, 2019 ­­– The 6^th 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 29^th.  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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