Memory lane leads to win for Favinger and Vapenik at Lake McConaughy Presented by Mercury

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 13th place and with their 23-01 bag of (5) fish, it propelled them only 6 oz. over the 2nd 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:

2nd: 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

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

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

5th: 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.

###

Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s MWC back to “Big Mac” Presented by Mercury

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.

A Six-fish Weekend, Enough for Gilkey and Flemming at Big Stone Lake Presented by Lowrance

Ortonville, MN—April 28, 2019 — On a week that many anglers hadn’t seen their first walleye until Friday, Nate Gilkey (Mayer, MN) and Shawn Flemming (Monicello, MN), called upon a memory to find some big bites when they needed it most. Presented by Lowrance, Nate and Shawn took home top honors at the BPS/Cabela’s Big Stone Lake event after only handing in 6 fish over the course of the 2-day event.

The “Toughest walleye anglers on planet earth” launched at 7am both Friday and Saturday from City Park in Ortonville, MN. Facing water temps in the mid-40s, much of the 51-boat field looked northward for the warmest water available. The winners originally were on that game plan as well, but one small change launched them into Big Stone Lake history.

“We came south and fished a spot we had caught walleye in years past.” Big Stone champion Shawn Flemming commented. “It took less than a half hour and we had the two big fish on Friday”. Those two fish put Nate and Shawn in the lead with 15lbs and they never left that spot. “We went back to that spot on Saturday and right away we got our two overs (fish over 20”) and even got two other smaller fish.” Shawn continued.

Shawn and Nate discussed while fishing, their goal was to literally etch their names in history. On the shore of Big Stone Lake in Ortonville is a granite monument with the Masters Walleye Circuit insignia carved into it, along with winner’s names going back to 1992.

Gilkey and Flemming leave, with $13,808.50 in cash and prizes, including the $8,750 first-place cash payout, $3,128.50 cash from the option pot, $500 AirWave certificate, $330 for 3rd place Big Fish both Friday and Saturday 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:

2nd: John Gildersleeve, Kyle Manteuffel 29-02, $4,320 cash and $200 Okuma Reels bonus

3rd: Tom Albrecht, Dave Albrecht 23-01, $2,300 cash, $2,340 option-pot cash, $1,000 Ranger Cup bonus and $500 Lowrance bonus

4th: Jason Kellen, John Oakes, 22-11, $2,000cash and $1,560 from the option-pot

5th: Curt Hall, John Thelen, 22-01, $1,800 cash plus $780 from the option pot

All together the BPS/Cabela’s MWC awarded $39,528.50 in cash and prizes at the Detroit River

260 fish weighed a total of 626lbs- 09ozs during the event. Jay Ross and Cory Brock took the top “Big Fish” honors over the weekend with an 8-04 walleye. National Professional Angler Association members Stephen and Brenda Picht presented the NPAA’s Youth and Family Fishing Clinic for a very large crowd, Friday afternoon, immediately following the weigh-in and gave away 50 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.

Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s MWC Anglers Ready for a Boarder-Water Battle on Big Stone Lake Presented by Lowrance

Ponca City, Ok. — April 16th, 2019 — The headwaters of the Minnesota River plays home for the third stop on the Masters Walleye Circuit’s 35th season. The “Toughest Walleye Anglers on Planet Earth” will have a chance to live up to that moniker while competing on the recently melted waters of the 26-mile long Big Stone Lake.

BPS/Cabela’s MWC fishermen are no strangers to Big Stone, with this being the 5th time, since 2014, the circuit has travelled to Ortonville. Fitting this event is presented by Lowrance, as anglers in the past have spoken about how critical quality electronics are at this event and that trusting what they tell you will make or break your days on the water.

“The fish haven’t seen a bait in a while.” Expressed tournament director Jack Baker. Jack continued “Its taken a while for all the ice to melt on Big Stone. Its pulled away from shore, preventing ice anglers from getting on, but the lake hadn’t open enough for boaters. The lake should be prime for catching fish when we arrive.”

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 Ortonville City Park, Ortonville, MN are free and open to the public beginning at 3:00pm both days April 26, 27.  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 Big Stone tournament is close of business Monday, April 22. 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.