Solid As A Rock, Gaines And Rhoades Lead Wire To Wire To Win 2016 Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit World Walleye Championship

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Green Bay, Wisc.—Oct. 8, 2016—Randall Gaines and Mike Rhoades conquered both big-water and river bites to win the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit 2016 World Walleye Championship Oct. 6-8.

The pair led all three days, topping the 48-team field with daily five-fish limits weighing 27-11, 7-02 and 17-15 for a 52-pound, 12-ounce total weight.

Presented by title sponsor Cabela’s, the prestigious event saw the top qualifiers from the circuit’s 2015 season battle for their share of more than $100,000 in cash and prizes on Wisconsin waters of Green Bay and the Fox River out of Green Bay’s Metro Park.

“This is one of those pinnacle events that you always dream of winning,” said Gaines, of Salem, Ohio. “It’s good closure for a great year and will light the fire all winter long to get after it again next spring. I’m just so excited.”

“It’s a little unbelievable but I’m very happy,” added Rhoades, of South Bend, Indiana. “Earlier in the week, I wouldn’t have believed this was going to happen.”

Indeed, they endured a challenging practice period that started out tough. “We didn’t catch a fish our first day here,” Gaines noted. “But we just kept working, trying different things and fortunately peaked at the time of competition, so it turned out to be the perfect storm for us.”

On Green Bay, the five-year circuit veterans made a 40-mile run to an area near Sturgeon Bay where they vertically fished swimming jigs weighing up to 1¼ ounces on bottom at the base of a sharp drop-off in 60 to 70 feet of water.

“Slow lifts and tight-line drops were key,” said Rhoades, explaining that they used fast-action baitcasting outfits spooled with superbraid mainline capped with a two-foot, heavy fluorocarbon leader to limit tangles.

When the field was restricted to the Fox River on day two due to gale force winds, they trolled Berkley Flicker Shads and Flicker Minnows behind planer boards.

Gaines and Rhoades collected a cool $15,000 in cash for their efforts, along with custom trophies and championship rings.

Mike Lenarduzzi and Doug McDonough.

Mike Lenarduzzi and Doug McDonough.

Wisconsin’s Michael Lenarduzzi and Douglas McDonough pushed the leaders throughout the tournament, holding second place with 26-07, 7-08 and 13-08 catches for 47 pounds, 7 ounces. They pocketed $9,255 including the $7,000 second-place cash payout, plus the $1,000 Ranger Cup contingency, $500 Lowrance Electronics bonus, $200 Okuma Reels award and $550 cash for second place in the MWC Big Fish Pot.

Rounding out the top five were:

3rd: Tommy Skarlis, Jeff Lahr, 42-03, $3,500

4th: Steve VandeMark, Jerry Fox, Jr., 41-06, $3,000

5th: Mike Dorris, Brian Tordsen, 37-14, $2,000 plus $370 from the Big Fish Pot

In all, the Cabela’s MWC awarded more than $147,000 in end of the season cash and prizes, including Team of the Year and Championship payouts. The circuit provided a 174 percent Championship payback and 137.5 percent overall payback on entry fees for the season.

A total of 545 walleyes weighing 1,274 pounds, 2 ounces crossed the scale during the three-day tournament in the Cabela’s MWC’s catch-and-release format. South Dakota’s Brian Steichen and Shawn Carl earned $925 cash plus the $200 Abu Garcia bonus for catching big fish of the event, an 8-pound, 10-ounce trophy.

Great crowds gathered riverside to watch the action at Green Bay Metro Park. To the delight of young walleye fans and their families, the Cabela’s MWC, National Professional Anglers Association and Pure Fishing presented a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after Friday’s weigh-in. Youngsters got to meet MWC anglers, learn about fishing and conservation, and received a free rod-and-reel combo courtesy of the NPAA.

Adding to the excitement, the event was being filmed for national television airing on Federation Angler TV, which appears on the Pursuit Channel.

To view image galleries from the each of the three days, along with team photos from the rules meeting and a special ceremony at the Green Bay Cabela’s commemorating the Cabela’s MWC’s induction into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame ceremony on Oct. 5,

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 includes qualifiers on the Illinois River March 17-18, the Detroit River April 7-8, Big Stone Lake April 28-29, Green Bay May 19-20, Lake Winnebago June 2-3, Devils Lake July 21-22, and the St. Marys River Aug. 25-26.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is concluding its 15th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official Circuit sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Abu Garcia, Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate MWC sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For more information, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

Decisions, Decisions: Teams Choose Their Battle Plans For Final Day Of Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship

Leaders Randall Gaines and Mike Rhoades discuss day-three strategies in an interview for Federation Angler Television.

Leaders Randall Gaines and Mike Rhoades discuss day-three strategies in an interview for Federation Angler Television.

Green Bay, Wisc.—Oct. 8, 2016—With the Wisconsin waters of Green Bay of Lake Michigan back in play for day three of the 2016 Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s World Walleye Championship, two-person teams were faced with choosing between a near-certain limit of keepers on the Fox River or rolling the dice for big fish offshore.

For leaders Randall Gaines and Mike Rhoades, the decision was easy.

“We’re glad to be back on the big lake,” said Gaines, of Salem, Ohio.

The pair plucked a 27-pound, 11-ounce limit from the bay on day one to top the 48-boat field competing in the championship, which offers more than $100,000 in cash and prizes, including $15,000 cash for first place, plus a shot at thousands more in sponsor bonuses from Ranger Boats, Abu Garcia, Lowrance Electronics and Okuma.

When tournament boundaries were reduced to the Fox River on day two due to gale force winds, Gaines and Rhoades, of South Bend, Indiana, sacked a 5-fish limit weighing 7-02 to retain their grip on the lead with a 34-13 two-day total.

The event is far from a blowout, however, as Wisconsin’s Michael Lenarduzzi and Douglas McDonough are nipping at their heels in second place with 33-15, followed by Greg Whitson and Mark Campeau of Ontario with 30-14.

While the leaders welcomed a chance to fish the bay, they were less enthusiastic about the weather. “We’re not so glad the temperature dropped 30 degrees,” Gaines laughed.

“Our run is substantial today,” he continued. “Our big fish are about 40 miles away, maybe a little farther. And it’s still rough out there, but the wind is supposed to lay down around noon, and we do have spots along the way. Hopefully we can fish our way out to our main spot.”

“Win lose or draw, no matter where we end up, just being invited to fish the MWC Championship and having led the field for two days is very special,” added Rhoades.

A number of teams chose the Fox River option, including MWC veterans Tommy Skarlis and Jeff Lahr, who are currently in 11th.

A number of teams chose the Fox River option, including MWC veterans Tommy Skarlis and Jeff Lahr.

The final weigh-in starts today at 4 p.m at Green Bay’s Metro Park landing. It is open to the public, and will also be streamed live worldwide at masterswalleyecircuit.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 2017 schedule includes qualifiers on the Illinois River March 17-18, the Detroit River April 7-8, Big Stone Lake April 28-29, the Bay of Green Bay out of Green Bay May 19-20, Lake Winnebago June 2-3, Devils Lake July 21-22, and the St. Marys River Aug. 25-26.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is concluding its 15th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official Circuit sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Abu Garcia, Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate MWC sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For more information, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

Gaines And Rhoades Rock The Fox To Retain Cabela’s MWC Championship Lead

 

Randall Gaines and Mike Rhoades held onto their lead on day two.

Randall Gaines and Mike Rhoades held onto their lead on day two.

Green Bay, Wisc.—Oct. 7, 2016—Day one leaders Randall Gaines and Mike Rhoades didn’t miss a beat when high winds dictated reduced boundaries that restricted anglers to the Fox River on day two of the three-day Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit 2016 World Walleye Championship.

The hard-fishing pair sacked a 5-fish limit of 7-02 to retain their reign atop the leaderboard with 34-13 headed into the final day of competition out of Green Bay.

Gaines and Rhoades weren’t the only competitors in the 48-boat field to hold steady when the playing field was trimmed to the river. Incredibly, the top six teams all held their positions from day one.

Wisconsin’s Michael Lenarduzzi and Douglas McDonough held second place with 33-15, followed by 2015 Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Champions Greg Whitson and Mark Campeau of Ontario with 30-14.

Mike Lenarduzzi and Doug McDonough are in second with 33-15.

Mike Lenarduzzi and Doug McDonough are in second with 33-15.

A great crowd gathered riverside at Green Bay Metro Park’s boat launch to witness the festivities, which along with exciting walleye tournament action included a youth and family fishing clinic presented by the Cabela’s MWC, National Professional Anglers Association and Pure Fishing.

Young walleye fans got to meet MWC anglers, learn about fishing and conservation, and received a free rod-and-reel combo courtesy of the NPAA.

Walleye fans of all ages enjoyed the weigh-in.

Walleye fans of all ages enjoyed the weigh-in. Some even took a hands-on approach to the show.

Adding to the fun, the event is being filmed for national television airing on Federation Angler TV, which appears on the Pursuit Channel.

The action continues tomorrow morning on the final day of the tournament, which pits the top teams from the Cabela’s MWC’s 2015 tournament season against one another for more than $100,000 in cash and prizes.

The bump line offered fans a chance to meet the anglers and get a sneak peek at their catches.

The bump line offered fans a chance to meet the anglers and get a sneak peek at their catches.

Championship teams are fighting for their share of more than $100,000 in cash and prizes , including a cool $15,000 in cash for first place.

 

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 includes qualifiers on the Illinois River March 17-18, the Detroit River April 7-8, Big Stone Lake April 28-29, the Bay of Green Bay out of Green Bay May 19-20, Lake Winnebago June 2-3, Devils Lake July 21-22, and the St. Marys River Aug. 25-26.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is concluding its 15th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official Circuit sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Abu Garcia, Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate MWC sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For more information, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

River Dance: Gale Force Winds Keep MWC Championship Teams In Fox River For Day Two

Cabela's MWC teams motor up the mighty Fox River on day two.

Cabela’s MWC teams motor up the mighty Fox River on day two.

Green Bay, Wisc.—Oct. 7, 2016—With strong winds from the southeast shifting to gale force gusts from the west in the afternoon, senior tournament director Dan Palmer made the call to keep the 48 teams competing in day two of the three-day Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit 2016 World Walleye Championship off of Green Bay and in the Fox River.

Anglers overwhelmingly supported the decision. “It was a no-brainer,” said veteran MWCer Mark Meravy of Shorewood, Illinois.

Day one leaders Randall Gaines and Mike Rhoades agreed. “Of course we would have liked to get out to our spot on the bay, but you have to err on the side of safety, and that puts us all in the river,” said Gaines, of Salem, Ohio.

He and Rhoades, of South Bend, Indiana, put together a 27-pound, 11-ounce limit of hefty Green Bay beauties to pace the pack on day one. While those fish came from the bay, the leaders had a contingency plan for the Fox River.

“This is a three-day event and you can’t plan on three days being the same,” said Gaines. “You have to be prepared for everything. We did a little fishing in the river and did put a plan together. I don’t believe it will yield as dramatic results as we enjoyed yesterday, but we’re going to give it a whirl and see where we end up at the end of the day.”

“I think it’s going to be a little tougher, but I think we’ll be all right,” added Rhoades.

With a TV camera person aboard to record the action for national airing, Gaines and Rhodes tested the waters of the Fox River.

With a TV camera person aboard to record the action for national airing, Gaines and Rhodes tested the waters of the Fox River.

As for what kind of catches walleye fans can expect to see cross the MWC stage at weigh-in, which begins at 4 p.m. at Green Bay’s scenic Metro Park landing, Gaines predicted, “There could be the rogue basket come in with big fish, but I think we’ll see a lot of 10- to 12-pound bags. Hopefully ours is on the upper end of that, but we’ll take what we can get.”

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While many teams fished flats and channel edges downriver, others headed straight for the dam.

The weigh-in is open to the public, and will also be streamed live worldwide at masterswalleyecircuit.com. As a bonus for young walleye anglers, the Cabela’s MWC, National Professional Anglers Association and Pure Fishing will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after today’s weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rod and reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.

Adding to the excitement, on-the-water and weigh-in action is being filmed for national television airing on Federation Angler TV, which appears on the Pursuit Channel.

Championship teams are fighting for their share of more than $80,000 in winnings, including a cool $15,000 in cash for first place.

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After rising for the morning invocation, MWC anglers honored the flag during the national anthem.

 

To view this morning’s photo gallery, including take-off and on-the-water images, CLICK HERE.

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 includes qualifiers on the Illinois River March 17-18, the Detroit River April 7-8, Big Stone Lake April 28-29, the Bay of Green Bay out of Green Bay May 19-20, Lake Winnebago June 2-3, Devils Lake July 21-22, and the St. Marys River Aug. 25-26.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is concluding its 15th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official Circuit sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Abu Garcia, Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate MWC sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For more information, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.