Holten, Stuefen Grab Day Two Lead At Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit 2017 World Walleye Championship

  • Filed under MWC News

  • September 15, 2017

Mickey Stuefen and Carl Holten with part of their leaderboard-topping day two limit.

Cass Lake, Minn.—Sept. 15, 2017—Iowans Carl Holten and Mickey Stuefen sacked a 5-fish limit weighing 17 pounds, 1 ounce to take the lead on day two of the three-day Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit 2017 World Walleye Championship on the Cass Lake Chain out of Stony Point Resort.

“This is really exciting,” said Holten, of Harpers Ferry. “It’s a great spot to be in.”

Their weight was anchored by a 7-pound, 15-ounce walleye that was also the tournament’s big fish of the day. “We got that fish at about 9:30,” Holten recalled. “We were high-fiving because that’s what it takes in an event like this—that one big kicker fish.”

Presented by Cabela’s, the MWC Championship runs Sept. 14-16 and features the top 41 two-person teams from the circuit’s 2016 regular season. The anglers are battling for more than $100,000 in cash and prizes.

Teams were eager to get on the water today after tournament officials were forced to cancel day one’s fishing due to extremely heavy fog that persisted through the half-day cutoff point for shortened fishing days.

Holten reported that the team was fishing live-bait rigs, a popular technique among anglers on Cass Lake. “It’s not a secret,” he laughed. “Ninety-five percent of the other teams are probably doing that, too.”

He also admitted that leading the tournament is a “little nerve-wracking,” but said he and Stuefen, of Cedar Rapids, plan to stick to their guns and follow a similar strategy tomorrow. “We’re going to do the same thing,” he said. “If the fish cooperate, I think we’ll be right there.”

Winning the event would be a dream come true, he added. “I told my wife there’s one more thing I want to cross off my bucket list, and that’s a championship,” he said. “Right now, we’re in the hunt for it.”

Jeff Lahr and Tommy Skarlis are currently in second place.

Fellow Iowans Jeff Lahr, of Dubuque, and Tommy Skarlis, of Waukon, were close behind in second place with 16 pounds, 8 ounces. Spencer Deutz, of Moorhead, Minnesota, and Ron Deutz, of Fargo, North Dakota, were in third with 15 pounds, 4 ounces. In all, 200 walleyes weighing 365 pounds, 7 ounces came to the scale and a full 97 percent were returned to the lake in the MWC’s time-tested and research-proven catch-and-release format.

For today’s results, CLICK HERE.

To view weigh-in photos, CLICK HERE.

Or CLICK HERE for on-the-water photos of the MWC competitors in action.

The Cabela’s MWC and National Professional Anglers Association presented a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately following the weigh-in. Youths received fishing, safety and conservation advice from MWC anglers, along with free rod-and-reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.

Youngers lined up with their new tackle after the youth clinic.

The action continues tomorrow at Stony Point Resort, which hosts launches and weigh-ins. Teams are scheduled to take off at 7 a.m., and the final weigh-in starts at 3 p.m. The public is encouraged to enjoy the excitement live at Stony Point. Fans unable to attend the weigh-in can watch the drama unfold online via live streaming video coverage and an updated leaderboard, both at masterswalleyecircuit.com.

On-the-water and weigh-in action is also being filmed for national television airing on Federation Angler TV, which appears on the Pursuit Channel. For Federation Angler TV schedules, visit federationangler.com.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. The Cabela’s MWC’s 2018 schedule has already been announced and features eight qualifiers in seven states. The lineup includes the Illinois River, Detroit River, Lake Erie at Lorain, Ohio, Lake McConaughy, Lake Francis Case, Lake of the Woods, Green Bay and Cass Lake. For dates and complete details, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is wrapping up its 16th season as title sponsor of the MWC and is eagerly awaiting the 2018 season. Official sponsors include: Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, Bagley Baits, Church Tackle, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

Ron and Spencer Deutz landed in third place heading into Saturday’s final round.

 

Day One Of Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s 2017 World Walleye Championship Cancelled Due To Heavy Fog

  • Filed under MWC News

  • September 14, 2017

Cass Lake, Minn.—Sept. 14, 2017—Tournament officials cancelled day one of the three-day Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit 2017 World Walleye Championship on the Cass Lake Chain due to extremely heavy fog that persisted through the circuit’s half-day cutoff point for shortened fishing days. 

“Safety is our foremost concern,” said MWC Tournament Director Jack Baker. “The fog was so heavy it limited visibility to mere yards at the Stony Point harbor mouth, and it was even worse farther out on the lake. We monitored forecasts and conditions right up to the cutoff, which is in place to give everyone a fair chance to follow their game plans and bring their best weight to the scale. Unfortunately, we could not let the teams go out today.”

Presented by Cabela’s, the MWC Championship runs Sept. 14-16 and features the top 41 two-person teams from the circuit’s 2016 regular season, who are fighting for their share of more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. Baker explained that field would launch in the original day-one order when the championship gets under way tomorrow.  

Veteran MWC anglers supported the decision. “It was definitely the right choice,” said Kevin McQuoid of Isle, Minnesota. “The fog wasn’t going anywhere.”

“It’s always better to err on the side of safety,” added Kevin Dahl, of Muskego, Wisconsin. “We don’t want anyone getting hurt.” 

Neither of the anglers expected the shortened timeframe to affect their fishing strategies. “Our plan is still to go out and catch fish,” Dahl quipped. “MWC events are usually two-day tournaments, so this will be business as usual.” 

“A three-day event is more challenging, because it forces you to be consistent for three full days,” McQuoid added. “This reduces the challenge a bit, but our strategy will still be to go out looking for big fish. The payout is weighted to the top 10 places, to make sure everyone goes home with a check (as requested by MWC anglers). So we’re aiming high on the leaderboard—and that means keying on the big bites.”

Noted local guide Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, of Max, Minnesota, fishing his first MWC championship, was equally supportive of the cancellation. “It was a great call,” he said. “I’ve been in tournaments where they let us go out in fog and it was dangerous, with a lot of close calls. I love fishing and my wife too much to ever be put in that kind of situation again.” 

Brosdahl said he still expects the walleye-rich Cass Lake system to product plenty of walleye gold. Teams may bring in their best five fish per day—with two fish over 20 inches allowed per team. “There are fish topping 30 inches, so there are some big “overs,’” he explained. “But the ‘unders’ will be just as important. There aren’t a lot of 18- to 19-inchers, but there’s a flood of fish from 14 to 17 inches, so it will be interesting.” 

Brosdahl predicts it will take 12½ to 14 pounds a day to make the top 10. “We’re going to see some good weights, with the potential for 20-pound limits. But it’s extremely hard to do that two days in a row,” he said.

As for his strategy, Brosdahl plans to put a limit in the box and go from there. “The MWC is a well-oiled machine and these are some of the world’s best walleye anglers—I’m just looking forward to competing with them,” he adds.

MWC anglers visited in the Stony Point Resort Harbor while waiting for heavy fog to clear from the main lake.

Stony Point Resort will host both the launches and weigh-ins. Weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m. The public is invited to watch the drama unfold each afternoon; fans unable to attend the weigh-ins can catch the action online via live streaming video coverage and an updated leaderboard, both at masterswalleyecircuit.com.  

On-the-water and weigh-in action is also being filmed for national television airing on Federation Angler TV, which appears on the Pursuit Channel. For Federation Angler TV schedules, visit federationangler.com.

The Cabela’s MWC and National Professional Anglers Association will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately following Friday’s weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rod-and-reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. The Cabela’s MWC’s 2018 schedule has already been announced and features eight qualifiers in seven states. The lineup includes the Illinois River, Detroit River, Lake Erie at Lorain, Ohio, Lake McConaughy, Lake Francis Case, Lake of the Woods, Green Bay and Cass Lake. For dates and complete details, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is wrapping up its 16th season as title sponsor of the MWC and is eagerly awaiting the 2018 season. Official sponsors include: Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, Bagley Baits, Church Tackle, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

Walleye World’s 41 Toughest Teams Clash On Cass Lake Sept. 14-16 In Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s 2017 World Walleye Championship

  • Filed under MWC News

  • September 11, 2017

Walleye World’s Toughest Teams Clash On Cass Lake Sept. 14-16 In Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s
2017 World Walleye Championship

Presented by Cabela’s

Ponca City, Okla.—Sept. 7, 2017—Minnesota’s iconic Cass Lake Chain will be ground zero for an all-out battle between the nation’s top two-person teams during the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s 2017 World Walleye Championship.

Presented by Cabela’s, the prestigious event runs Sept. 14-16 and features the top41 point-accumulating teams from the circuit’s 2016 regular season, which included seven qualifiers in six states on a diverse selection of the Walleye Belt’s finest rivers, inland lakes and big-water fisheries.

Points are tallied from each team’s top three finishes. This year’s field is led by a trio of teams who perennially place high on the leaderboard. Troy Morris and Corey Heiser racked up 472 points, followed by Steve Vandemark and Jerry Fox, Jr. with 459 points, and Curtis Olivier and Doug Galant with 449 points.

Vandemark and Fox earned MWC Team of the Year honors, which are based on a team’s best four finishes, in 2016. Morris and Heiser claimed the coveted title in 2017, while Olivier and Galant placed third in the 2016 Team of the Year race and fourth in 2017.

Along with a chance to claim the celebrated title of “World Walleye Champions,” the event offers $100,000 in cash and prizes. Plus, sponsor bonuses including Ranger Cup, Lowrance Electronics, Okuma and AirWave add thousands more to the total payout.

Scenic Stony Point Resort will host launches and weigh-ins. Teams will take off at 7 a.m. or first safe light. Weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m. The public is invited to come out and cheer their favorite teams off in the morning, then return to watch the drama unfold each afternoon.

Walleye fans unable to attend the weigh-ins can catch the action online via live streaming video coverage and an updated leaderboard, both at masterswalleyecircuit.com. On-the-water and weigh-in action will also be filmed for national television airing on Federation Angler TV, which appears on the Pursuit Channel. For Federation Angler TV schedules, visit federationangler.com.

As a bonus for budding walleye anglers, the Cabela’s MWC and National Professional Anglers Association will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately following Friday’s weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rod-and-reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. The Cabela’s MWC’s 2018 schedule has already been announced and features eight qualifiers in seven states. The lineup includes the Illinois River, Detroit River, Lake Erie at Lorain, Ohio, Lake McConaughy, Lake Francis Case, Lake of the Woods, Green Bay and Cass Lake. For dates and complete details, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is wrapping up its 16th season as title sponsor of the MWC and is eagerly awaiting the 2018 season. Official sponsors include: Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, Bagley Baits, Church Tackle, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

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Taylor And McDonald Win Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit St. Marys River Tournament Presented by Ranger Boats

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.—August 26, 2017—Pickford, Michigan’s Tom Taylor and Keith McDonald came out swinging and never let up to win the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s regular-season finale on the St. Marys River presented by Ranger Boats August 25-26.

The pair put the rest of field on the ropes with a 5-fish, day one limit weighing 23 pounds, 2 ounces, which landed them solidly atop the leaderboard. They followed up with a 26-pound, 1-ounce knockout punch on day two for a 49-pound, 3-ounce total that put them more than 10 pounds ahead of their closest competitors.

“I’m so ecstatic, I can’t quit shaking,” said Taylor, seconds after claiming victory in front of a roaring crowd gathered riverside at Aune Osborn Boat Launch. “It’s pretty awesome,” added McDonald. “When we got our second big fish today I told Tom ‘there’s the tournament—unless somebody else really gets them.’”

Taylor and McDonald’s plan of attack included trolling beefy, deep-diving stickbaits from 2 to 3 mph over weedtops in a protected bay off the main channel that still had enough current to attract hungry ’eyes.

“We targeted depths of 14 to 16 feet in the St. Joe’s Channel area about 30 miles downriver from the launch site,” said Taylor, who confided that black-and-silver and “wonderbread” pattern lures trolled against the current drew the most strikes. The baits ran on a relatively short leash of 12-pound monofilament, trailing 20 to 25 feet behind the team’s inline planer boards. “The weeds topped out about nine feet down, and we wanted to just tick the tops of them,” Taylor explained.

McDonald noted that their boards were set 60 and 80 feet off the sides of the boat, a distance the team believed helped keep their boat from spooking the fish. “It was flat calm and sunny both days, which made us a little nervous about fishing so shallow,” McDonald said.

Taylor and McDonald collected $11,124.00 in cash and prizes, including the $8,100 first-place cash payout, $500 Lowrance Electronics bonus, $500 AirWave certificate and $1,024 from the Big Fish Pot. They also won a $1,000 Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package including paid entry into the 2018 NTC, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques.

Rounding out the top six teams were:

2nd: Jason Doyon, Shane Turcotte, 38-06, $4,050 plus $3,000 in cash from the option pot and the $200 Okuma Reel bonus

3rd: Jacob Trombley, Peter Schaefer, 34-00, $2,700

4th: Dane Stanaway, Josh Gordon, 33-11, $2,100 plus $2,219 in cash from the option pot

5th: Steve Velte, Al Tourigny, 33-09, $2,000
6th: Jason Maraskine, Bob Leslie, 33-00, $1,500 plus the $1,000 Ranger Cup bonus
and $1,500 from the option pot

In all, the Cabela’s MWC awarded $37,549 in cash and prizes.

A total of 308 walleyes weighing 883 pounds, 7 ounces came to the scale during the event. Big fish was an 8-pound, 1-ounce beauty caught by Taylor and McDonald. The Cabela’s MWC and National Professional Anglers Association presented a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after the day-one weigh-in, with participating youths receiving rod-and-reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.

Adding to the excitement, MWC Team of the Year honors were at stake at the final event of the regular season. Troy Morris and Corey Heiser claimed the coveted honors, followed by Steve Vandemark and Jerry Fox, Jr. in second and Mike Dorris and Brian Tordsen in third.

Besides serious bragging rights in the walleye world, Morris and Heiser earned the $10,000 MWC “Living the Dream” Team of the Year sponsorship package, which consists of: fully paid entry into the 2018 Cabela’s National Team Championship, including six nights lodging; fully paid entry into four 2018 MWC qualifiers, including five nights lodging and $400 travel expense stipend per event; plus custom Team of the Year jackets and trophies.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2017 schedule included seven qualifiers in five states on a diverse selection of rivers, inland lakes and Great Lakes fisheries representing North America’s top walleye destinations.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in its 16th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, Bagley Baits, Church Tackle, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For more information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

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