Port Clinton, Ohio — June 23, 2019 — With wind and waves, Lake Erie did all it could to slow down the “Toughest Walleye Anglers on Planet Earth”, but try as it may, the fishermen still won out. Presented by Lowrance, the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit launched the two-day tournament from Port Clinton, OH, with Rodger Riggs (Cleveland, OH) and Jason Kopf (Avon Lake, OH) grabbing the win by ounces over Jim Passo (St Charles, IL) and “Butch” Rabetski (Kimberly, WI).

“This is just fantastic!” an elated Jason Kopf exclaimed “The first MWC event I fished was here in Port Clinton in 2009, I won that event, and here we are, once again. I feel like I got the (title) belt back!” Jason and Rodger ran 32 miles each day through rough conditions to find fish. “When we got to our spot on Friday morning, I set everything up to start trolling and the next thing I did was grab a screwdriver and began tightening everything back down that came loose on the ride over.”

Trolling crankbaits with a 3 oz. snap-weight down at the bottom produced the bites needed to seal the deal. Rodger Riggs mentioned “We had a plan that worked, and on Saturday morning, we thought maybe this could be ours? Then we started watching Jimmy (Passo) and Butch and thought, oh man, maybe not, this is going to be close.” Close it was. Jim and Butch weighed in an impressive 39lbs. bag on day-two to make a 20-place jump to second, finishing only 7oz. behind Riggs and Kopf.

Both Rodger and Jason are proud to win on their home water, knowing it’s never easy to win a Masters Walleye Circuit event and often even harder when the pressure of homefield advantage weighs on you. “I take a tremendous amount of pride showing off this fishery and this win means a ton to Rodger and me.” Jason added, while holding the champions trophy.

With 56-2 of fish, Riggs and Kopf take home $14,090.50 in cash and prizes, including the $7,700 first-place cash payout, $3,200.50 option pot cash, $1,000 Ranger Cup, $500 Lowrance Bonus, $500 AirWave certificate, $200 in Okuma reels, $490 custom necklace pendants (Tru Luv Jewelers) 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: Jim Passo and Gordan (Butch) Rabetski 55-11, $3,850 cash, $2,000 option pot cash, $463 for Saturday Big Fish

3^rd: Rodney Blackwell and Brett Rogers 51-09, $2,550 cash, $185 for 3^rd place Saturday Big Fish

4^th: Virgill Tent and Ciprian Donici 47-10, $2,000 cash, $1,250 option pot cash, $185 for 3^rd place Friday Big Fish

5^th: Richard Larson and Mark Crites 47-04, $1,500 cash

All together the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit awarded $34,130.50 in cash and prizes in Port Clinton.

413 fish weighed a total of 1509lbs- 11ozs during the event. Teams of Jim Passo & Gordan (Butch) Rabetski and Adam Hume & Miles Schmidt tied for “Big Fish” honors over the weekend with 9-04 walleyes 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, Ok—May 22, 2019 —When surveyed, walleye anglers from around North America told the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit staff there is only a few places that has great fishing anytime of year, one of those places is Lake Erie. Spring, Summer or Fall, Lake Erie provides a world-class opportunity to catch a fish of a lifetime and plenty for the freezer.

The numbers and sizes of walleye now found in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie are staggering, with catch rates over five times better than the “exceptional” rating, and even better than that in the month of June! (source: 2019 OhioDNR update) Anglers will likely find most fish ranging between 17-22 inches, and the previous Lake Erie MWC tournament weights tell a story of a growing bags. Looking back in the archives at masterswalleyecircuit.com, one will find the final weigh-ins to continue a trend in the ‘heavy direction.

Presented by Lowrance, the June 21-22 event will take place at the mouth of the Portage River and pits the “Toughest Walleye Angler on Planet Earth” against one another, all for a share of the large tournament purse and prizes.  The “Team of the Year” race and “World Walleye Championship” qualifying continues to add another level of competition headed into this, the 5^th event of the season.

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/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 Jefferson Street Pier are free and open to the public beginning at 3:00pm both days June 21, 22.  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 Lake Erie tournament is close of business June, May 17. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.

Bass Pro Shops & 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.

Ogalalla, NE—May 20, 2019 — Major changes in weather can change bites and locations of fish within hours, as was the case at the 2019 Masters Walleye Circuit event at Lake McConaughy presented by Mercury. For Dustin Favinger (Bridgport, NE) and Zane Vapenik (Oshkosh, NE) those changes turned some memories of locations past into a win and over $11,500 in cash and prizes.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet” Dustin Favinger said shortly after the event ”Especially on our home lake where we have had some success, but also been very humbled.” Dustin’s partner, Zane Vapenik mentioned they went out and adjusted throughout the day. “We got to a few spots and when things just didn’t look right, we moved.

“As a guide, I have my notes of where fish have been caught before in what conditions, so we moved to some of those spots that we knew if we could keep the stick in the water, we could catch.” He continued giving credit where credit is due to his partner Zane for have the hot hand. “Hats off to Zane today, he had the right touch. It was a real spongy bite today, he had it figured out today.

Dustin and Zane started day-two in 13^th place and with their 23-01 bag of (5) fish, it propelled them only 6 oz. over the 2^nd place team, and 2018 champions, Ev Tarrell and John Miller.

With 43-08 of fish, Favinger and Vapenik take home $11,600 in cash and prizes, including the $9,400 first-place cash payout, $500 Lowrance Bonus, $500 AirWave certificate, $200 in Okuma reels and a $1,000 Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package including paid entry into the Cabela’s NTC, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques.

The rest of the top five teams:

2^nd: Ev Tarrell and John Miller 43-02, $4,600 cash, $3,900 option pot cash, $1,000 Ranger Cup Bonus and $625 for Saturday Big Fish

3^rd: James Miller and Jason Cooper 42-09, $2,800 cash, $2,500 option pot cash

4^th: Jeff Synak and Jake Hammer 40-05, $2,300 cash, $1,800 option pot cash

5^th: Robby Rowland and Scott Sundstrom 40-01, $2,000 cash, $1,300 option pot cash

All together the BPS/Cabela’s MWC awarded $46,673.50 in cash and prizes at Lake McConaughy.

255 fish weighed a total of 1203lbs- 04ozs during the event. JB Baker and Justin Debrie took the top “Big Fish” honors over the weekend with a 12-04 walleye. National Professional Angler Association member Ben Garver presented the NPAA’s Youth and Family Fishing Clinic for an enthusiastic group, Saturday 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 & 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.—April 30, 2019 —As the “Toughest Walleye Anglers on Planet Earth” continue to travel throughout the nation, the Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit finds its way to Lake McConaughy in just a few weeks. Presented by Mercury, the anglers will once again have a chance to fish this unique and storied body of water on the circuit.

“It was clear the anglers enjoyed going to Lake McConaughy last year” tournament director Jack Baker said. “With over 80 teams, many who told us we need to come back “next year”, you could feel the folks at that event really had a great time.”

Tournament emcee Jeff Kelm mentioned “This is one of the coolest places we have traveled to. The Nebraska countryside is beautiful and the fishing is great. Anglers know the size fish out here; they know they could bring a 13-15-pound fish to the scale any given day. If that doesn’t get your attention as a walleye angler, what would?”

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/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 Upper Ramp at Cedar-Vu Campground are free and open to the public beginning at 3:00pm both days May 17, 18.  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 Lake McConaughy tournament is close of business Monday, May 13. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.

Bass Pro Shops & 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.