Miller and Fisher secure over $24,500 in Geneva, Ohio on Lake Erie Presented By: Ranger Boats

Miller and Fisher secure over $24,500 in Geneva, Ohio on Lake Erie Presented By: Ranger Boats

Geneva, Ohio — July 15, 2024 — The dedicated anglers of the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Presented by Ranger Boats battled it out on Lake Erie on July 12-13. The winners, Mike Miller (Medina, OH) and Bryan Fisher (Ravenna, OH), were confident in their game plan for the event, as long as they could navigate to their spots. With a strong pre-fish, they were hoping to get lucky enough to weigh nearly 35 pounds of walleye per day. With the weather cooperating on day 1, they beat their goals weighing 36lbs of Erie Gold to be sitting in first place at the end of the first day. Having a slight lead heading into day 2, the pressure was on to land another big bag, and they did just that. Anchoring their day 2 bag with Fisher catching a giant walleye weighing 12lbs, they crushed all expectations weighing a whopping 44lbs and 2oz to secure their first-place finish with a total of 80lbs and 2oz.

 

Being Ohio locals, both are seasoned anglers on Lake Erie. They have fished many events on the
lake, and currently participate in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail, with which this was a joint event.
They made a relatively long run east during pre-fishing, covering roughly 35 miles of water in
their Ranger boat. They weren’t the only ones in the area, so they knew other teams would be
weighing bags in the mid 30lb range.

They won the event trolling Bill Lewis Baits on lead-core line. Sorting through roughly 25 fish
per day, the stars aligned, and they knew they were in it to win when a 12-pounder hit the boat.

In their first MWC win, they have become Lake Erie Champions, and also secured a spot in the
2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Team Championship (NTC) on Lake Francis Case
in Pickstown, SD. Mike and Bryan took home the $10,000 powered by Dakota Lithium, $8,000
for Ranger Cup, $3,700 in Option Pot cash, $1,000 Lowrance HDS Pro/Active Target bonus, the
NTC prize package, valued at $1,000, including paid entry, custom NTC jerseys, custom NTC
qualifier plaques and cash travel stipend, pairing all that with the Okuma Reels bonus for a grand
total over $24,500 in cash and prizes.

The remaining of the top five weighed great bags and earned awards as well:

2nd: Andrew Harmon & Ronnie Rhodes 70-09, $4,800 cash

3rd: Steve Vandemark & Jerry Fox Jr. 69-07, $3,300 cash and $2,550 option pot cash

4th: Ryan Buddie & Jason Kopf 69-05, $2,400 cash and $1,500 option pot cash

5th: Gary Kisel & Alex Kisel 65-13, $1,800 cash and $1025 option pot cash

Over 120 anglers from 12 states and 1 province caught 599 fish weighing a whopping 3,248lbs,
for an average of over 5lbs per fish. Although the Big Fish pot is paid out multiple places each
day, the largest of the event was Miller and Fisher’s 12-pound walleye. The Dakota Lithium
Comeback Award winners were Francis Ball and Tom Nordyke, receiving (3) Dakota Lithium
batteries and chargers valued at over $4,200 for their jump from 38th to 22nd place on day 2.

Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered in that
event. New for 2024 is a GUARANTEED minimum $10,000 first place prize powered by
Dakota Lithium at every event. Overall payout is still 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 from Ranger Cup, Lowrance, Dakota Lithium, and Okuma 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 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 MWC is open to walleye anglers from all
walks of life. The 2024 schedule includes seven qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2025
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship in Alexandria, MN.
Registration is now open for all events. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s are in their 23rd season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye
Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Lew’s Fishing,
Dakota Lithium, and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors include: The Walleye Federation, Church
Tackle, FishLab, Okuma, and T-H Marine. For more information,
email support@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call (580) 765-9031

Bass Pro Shop’s and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Prepares For South Dakota’s Bitter Lake

Bass Pro Shop’s and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Prepares For South Dakota’s Bitter Lake

Presented By: Dakota Lithium

Ponca City, Oklahoma – July 8, 2024 – The Bass Pro Shop’s and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) makes its first appearance in Webster, South Dakota to provide a chance for anglers to compete on Bitter Lake on August 9-10, 2024. Dakota Lithium is the Presenting sponsor for this event in the ever-growing watershed of the Waubay Lakes area.

Bitter Lake now encompasses over 15,000 acres, a massive increase from the 3,000-acre lake it once was, providing many opportunities for anglers to fish a rapidly growing walleye population. Webster’s Former President of Webster’s Chamber of Commerce, Eric Hanson, alongside current president Katy Marx, “We’re thrilled to have an event come to town and provide an opportunity to give back to the community, as this paves the way for many other charitable events.” Hanson when given an opportunity to talk about the fishing says “The bite is always on at Bitter Lake, the guys will just have to find them.”

Teams consisting of two anglers are allowed to weigh 5 fish over 15 inches, however, there is a slot limiting anglers to one fish over 20 inches in their allotted bags to protect the future of the fishery. This will require a fair amount of strategy by the anglers, as weighing the right fish will be a vital decision.

Event specifics include a 7:00 am (CST) take-off each day and 3:30 pm (CST) live weigh-in on both August 9th and 10th, 2024. Morning take-offs will be at the East Access on Bitter Lake, followed by weigh-ins at Boomer’s Outback Hotel, 476 US-12 E Webster, SD 57274. Spectators are encouraged to join in person, as the weigh-in is free and open to the public, or follow the action live online at masterswalleyecircuit.com or on the official Facebook page, facebook.com/MastersWalleyeCircuit

Registration for this tournament on Bitter Lake hosted in Webster, SD closes on August 5, 2024. Sign up today for your chance at the $10,000 first place check guaranteed by Dakota Lithium. Just visit www.masterswalleyecircuit.com/registration or call the Federation National Office at (580) 765-9031.

As part of the 2024 MWC season, anglers will vie for a coveted spot in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s World Walleye Championship in Alexandria, MN. 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. 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 “best of 4” final standing each year.

The MWC is open to walleye anglers from all walks of life. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to find a partner, sign up and fish all MWC events, or even just one that is local to you, for a shot at great paybacks. Additionally, the NEW points structure for 2024, based in part on angler feedback received during previous seasons, better protects those team’s efforts who are fishing 3 or more events each season. MWC Rule #14 details the specifics of how to earn points, based on the number of events attended. For anglers looking to compete for “Team of the Year”, and/or gain entry into the World Walleye Championship, it is recommended to fully understand the necessary steps to ensure they are earning points as intended.

MWC pays back more than 100% in cash and prizes each season and each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered. For the entire 2024 season, the winners of each event are GUARANTEED minimum of $10,000 First Place prize, powered by Dakota Lithium. The top 20% of the field at each qualifying event earns a check 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 from Ranger Cup, Lowrance, Dakota Lithium, and Okuma 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 2024 schedule includes seven qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship in Alexandria, MN. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s are in their 23rd season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Lew’s Fishing, Dakota Lithium, and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors include: The Walleye Federation, Church Tackle, FishLab, Okuma, and T-H Marine. For more information, email support@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

Bass Pro Shop’s and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Ventures to Geneva, Ohio for the Next Event Of 2024

Bass Pro Shop’s and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Ventures to Geneva, Ohio for the Next Event Of 2024 Presented By: Ranger Boats

Ponca City, Oklahoma – July 4, 2024 – The Masters Walleye Circuit returns to Lake Erie for its incredible walleye fishery out of Geneva, Ohio on July 12-13, 2024. Bass Pro Shop’s and Cabela’s is the title sponsor for this event on the destination location of Lake Erie. There is no shortage of walleyes to be caught on Lake Erie, and teams are expected to weigh full tournament limits with ease.

This will be a joint event with the Lake Erie Walleye Trail, appealing to many local anglers looking to test their skills against the MWC’s Toughest Anglers on Planet Earth. Although it is common to catch limits of 4-5-pound walleyes in this area, it will be most teams goal to chase down much larger walleyes to secure a top standing in this two-day event. A common technique this time of year to chase down these walleyes hiding out in 40-plus feet of water is trolling dipsy divers followed by spoons or worm harnesses. The deep side of Lake Erie lends itself to be a great place to use techniques such as lead core, wire or copper line, along with 2-3oz weights all of which assist baits to descend to the depths the fish are sitting during the heat of summer. However, there will be anglers attempting to target large single fish using forward facing sonars, such as Lowrance Active Target. Reports for July often consist of many fish nearby Geneva, meaning anglers don’t need to search a long way to be competitive.

Lowrance and Mercury Angler, Sammy Cappelli says this about the upcoming event: “The fish are everywhere, from Sandusky, OH to Dunkirk, NY. There will be a lot of fish caught but finding a couple 8-pound kickers to go with the average 5-pounders will be key.” Anglers are expecting roughly 32 pounds of walleye per 5 fish limit per day to be In The Money.

Event specifics include a 7:00 am (EST) take-off each day and 3:00 pm (EST) live weigh-in, both at the Geneva Marina on Padanarum Road in Geneva, Ohio on July 12th and 13th, 2024. Spectators are encouraged to join in person, as the weigh-in is free and open to the public, or follow the action live online at masterswalleyecircuit.com or on the official Facebook page, facebook.com/MastersWalleyeCircuit

Registration for this tournament on Lake Erie hosted out of Geneva, Ohio closes on July 8, 2024. Teams that are interested in signing up should visit www.masterswalleyecircuit.com/registration or call the Federation National Office at (580) 765-9031.

As part of the 2024 MWC season, anglers will vie for a coveted spot in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s World Walleye Championship in Alexandria, MN. 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. 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 “best of 4” final standing each year.

While everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend and fish all MWC events, or even just one that is local to you, for a shot at great paybacks and prizes, the NEW points structure for 2024 better protects those teams fishing 3 or more events. It is based, in part, on angler feedback received during previous seasons. MWC Rule #14 takes a deeper dive into the specifics of how to earn points, based on the number of events attended. For anglers looking to compete for “Team of the Year”, and/or gain entry into the World Walleye Championship, it is recommended to fully understand the necessary steps to ensure they are earning points as intended.

Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered for that event. New in 2024 is a GUARANTEED minimum of $10,000 awarded for the First-Place prize, powered by Dakota Lithium, at every event. Overall payout is still awarded to the top 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 from Ranger Cup, Lowrance, Dakota Lithium, and Okuma 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 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 MWC is open to walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2024 schedule includes seven qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship in Alexandria, MN. Registration is now open for all events. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s are in their 23rd season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Lew’s Fishing, Dakota Lithium, and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors include: The Walleye Federation, Church Tackle, FishLab, Okuma, and T-H Marine. For more information, email support@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

Pavlichek and Pionk Win Over $15,000 at Lake Huron Presented by Lowrance

Pavlichek and Pionk Win Over $15,000 at Lake Huron Presented by Lowrance

Au Gres, Mich. — July 1, 2024 — The savvy anglers of the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Presented by Lowrance on Lake Huron had an eye on the forecast all week. Chris Pavlichek (Owendale, MI) and Andrew Pionk (Bay Port, MI) knew they may have to get while the getting was good, in what may become a one-day leader take all event. With a plan in place to catch 5 walleyes for around 20 lbs., they felt they could stay in the hunt if the event did run its full 2-day course. With a stroke of luck, they bagged 22 lbs. 12 oz. on the first day and with hazardous conditions on day two Chris and Andrew are left holding the lead and now the win.

No strangers to Saginaw Bay, Chris and Andrew spent most of their time pre fishing the northwest side of Charity Island near 25 of water.  Both fished in events the two prior weeks on Lake Huron with Chris winning earlier in the month.

The winning fish were caught using gold and purple perch colored crank baits, though a few fish were also caught using crawler on harnesses.

This is the first big tournament win for the team and not only are they now champions at Lake Huron, but they also punch their ticket to Lake Francis Case in Pickstown, SD for the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Team Championship (NTC). Chris and Andrew rode home with the $10,000 powered by Dakota Lithium, $2,857 in Option Pot cash, $1,000 Lowrance HDS Pro/Active Target bonus, the NTC prize package, valued at $1,000, including paid entry, custom NTC jerseys, custom NTC qualifier plaques and cash travel stipend, pairing all that with the Okuma Reels bonus for a grand total over $15,000 in cash and prizes.

Let’s have a look at the top-five teams and what they’ve won:

2nd: Wayne Butz & Joe Sommers 22-00, $3,600 cash and $2,130 option pot cash, and $3,749 Lowrance 60” Ghost Trolling Motor (Big Fish Award)

3rd: Peter Schaefer & Ray Shankel 21-10, $2,300 cash and $1,428 option pot cash

4th: Steven Schooley & Dillion Pavlichek 21-01, $1,600 cash 

5th: Kody Gordon & Randy Dittenbir 20-11, $1,200 cash

Anglers grom 8 states caught 162 fish weighing a total of 584 lbs. 10 oz. during the weather-shortened event. Landing a walleye weighing 6lbs. 8oz., Wayne Butz and Joe Sommers won the Lowrance Big Fish bonus, a 60” Ghost trolling motor, courtesy of Lowrance. The Dakota Lithium Comeback Award winners were Jacob and John Clark, receiving (3) Dakota Lithium batteries and chargers valued at over $4,200.

Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered in that event. New for 2024 is a GUARANTEED minimum $10,000 first place prize powered by Dakota Lithium at every event. Overall payout is still 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 from Ranger Cup, Lowrance, Dakota Lithium, and Okuma 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 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 MWC is open to walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2024 schedule includes seven qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship in Alexandria, MN. Registration is now open for all events. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s are in their 23rd season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Lew’s Fishing, Dakota Lithium, and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors include: The Walleye Federation, Church Tackle, FishLab, Okuma, T-H Marine and Salmo Java Coffee. For more information, email support@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call (580) 765-9031.

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