Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Returns To Kinzua Reservoir June 19-20
Presented by Zippo Outdoors

Ponca City, Okla.—May 28, 2015—The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit returns to scenic Kinzua Reservoir out of Bradford, Pennsylvania, for a regular-season qualifying tournament presented by Zippo Outdoors June 19-20.

Launching from Willow Bay Boat Ramp, the event offers two-person teams a variety of fishing options on the river-run impoundment, which is home to Pennsylvania’s state record walleye—a 17-pound, 9-ounce behemoth. “A variety of presentations from jigging the trees to pulling crankbaits or spinner rigs should all take fish,” says Circuit veteran, Kinzua insider and Zippo Outdoors pro-staffer Doug Yohe.

Indeed, a number of different approaches held water at last season’s Kinzua MWC tournament. In the end, Pennsylvania’s Chuck Sabatose and Frank Mausser racked up an impressive 20-pound two-day total to claim top honors by trolling Berkley Flicker Shads on leadcore line at speeds of 1.7 to 2.2 mph over rock piles and stump patches in depths of 16 to 36 feet.

Besides a shot at great fishing and the thrill of competition, the Cabela’s MWC offers lucrative payouts. In 2014 the Circuit rewarded anglers with a total payback of more than 127 percent. Payouts are based on the number of teams entered in each event. Plus, the MWC Big Fish Pot and sponsor bonuses from Ranger, Lowrance, Abu Garcia, Zippo Outdoor Brands and Okuma add thousands more to the total.

As an added incentive, the first-place team will win a $1,000 Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package including paid NTC entry, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques. And new for 2015, the creation of an option pot adds even more chances to cash in. At the recent Big Stone Lake qualifier, for example, tournament champions Dan Sunne and Jim Hartman added $2,800 in option pot cash to their total winnings.

Adding to the excitement, all Cabela’s MWC tournaments are designated as “State Championship Qualifying Events.” Teams from the state where the event is held are eligible, along with teams from a state not hosting an MWC event in 2015 (provided at least 10 teams from their state are competing in the event). Besides bragging rights, state champions will earn a $1,000 prize package including custom trophies, decals, a berth in the Cabela’s NTC, and a spot on the MWC website’s Wall of Fame.

Two-person teams will be allowed to weigh five walleyes measuring 15 inches and over each day, and the team with the heaviest two-day total weight will be crowned the winners. Weigh-ins, which are free and open to the public, will be held at the Richard E. & Ruth McDowell Sport & Fitness Center Arena beginning at 3 p.m. daily. As a bonus to budding tournament fans, the Cabela’s MWC, National Professional Anglers Association, Pure Fishing and Zippo Outdoor Brands will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after the day-one 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. Deadline to register for the Kinzua Reservoir tournament is Monday, June 15th.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in its 14th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Abu Garcia, Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats, The Walleye Federation and Zippo Outdoor Brands. Associate sponsors include: Yellow Bird Fishing Products, Okuma, T-H Marine and Tight Lines Jewelry. For more information, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.
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Klepacki, Miller Win 14th Annual Cabela’s National Team Championship

Junction City, Kansas—May 30, 2015—Illinois’ Ed Klepacki and Jim Miller put together a three-day total weight of 43 pounds, 9 ounces to top the 185-team field battling on Kansas’ Milford Lake in the 2015 Cabela’s National Team Championship.

“This is incredible—it’s the greatest feeling in the world!” said Klepacki, of Wonder Lake. “It’s unbelievable,” added Miller, of Angle Side, seconds after claiming the crown in an exciting finish that saw them weigh in last and slip past the hard charging second-place finishers, Nebraskans Scott Willis, of Shelton, and Ben Seim, of Kearney, who brought in 42 pounds, 7 ounces.

For their efforts, Klepacki and Miller collected $30,000 in cash plus a $68,000 Evinrude E-Tec powered 620 Ranger boat.

A three-day event held May 28-30, the Cabela’s NTC is widely regarded as the pinnacle of grassroots walleye tournaments. It is comprised of two-person teams that qualified through competition in local tournaments organized by walleye clubs sanctioned by The Walleye Federation.

The full field competed on the first two days. Each team was allowed to bring their best five fish to the scale each day. Competition was intense, as only the top 25 teams would advance to the final round on day three.

Klepacki and Miller rode a crankbait trolling pattern to victory lane, but they didn’t start out in pole position. On day one, they brought three fish weighing a total of 11 pounds, 10 ounces to the scale to land in a respectable 11th place. Though they trailed day one leaders Bill Kunze and Greg Belgum, both of Kearney, Nebraska, by more than 12 pounds, they remained optimistic and determined to finish strong.

“We were trolling an old railroad bed, keying mainly on an 8- to 12-foot ledge,” Miller reported. “Our top baits were 2¾-inch Berkley Flicker Shads in Cabela’s exclusive colors of Reverse Cougar and Chartreuse Growler,” added Klepacki. While long-lining their baits behind the boat, the pair experimented with trolling speeds from 1.2 to 3 mph. Klepacki noted that slower speeds produced their biggest fish.

On day two, they tallied a monster 5-fish basket weighing 24 pounds, 2 ounces to rocket up the leaderboard, while Kunze and Belgum faltered with just one fish for 3 pounds, 3 ounces. “Everything fell into place,” said Miller.

But there would be no coasting to victory, as a punishing weather system put their fish in a funk headed into day three. “It was tough,” Miller added. Indeed, they put just two keepers in the livewell, and were doubtful their catch would be enough to take the crown.

“I honestly didn’t think we had enough to win it,” Klepacki confided. But when the scale settled a final time in front of a roaring crowd gathered at Milford Lake Marina, he and Miller’s 7-pound, 13-ounce day three weight pushed them over the top.

In second place, Willis and Seim pocketed $12,500 in cash. They also brought home a brand-new Evinrude E-Tec powered 620 Ranger boat valued at $68,000 for finishing first in the Ranger Cup contingency program.

Rounding out the top five were:

3rd: Lorin Skipper and Justin Skipper, 33-15, $10,000 cash
4th: Bill Kunze and Greg Belgum, 29-15, $8,000 cash
5th: Jason Lemke and Scott Knouf, 29-12, $7,000 cash

Along with the two Evinrude E-Tec powered Ranger 620 boats valued at $136,000, the Cabela’s NTC paid out $121,000 in cash to the top 50 teams, and $14,600 in Cabela’s gift cards to the remainder of the field. In addition, the top 25 teams earned the title of “Cabela’s All-Americans” and received commemorative rings marking their achievement.

Another $1,000 in Cabela’s gift cards were awarded for big fish and big basket honors. On day one, the $250 GEICO Big Basket Award went to Bill Kunze and Greg Belgum for their 23-pound, 15-ounce catch. Shane Sparby and Evan Schatz earned the day one $250 Evinrude Big Fish Award for their 7.14-pound walleye. On day two, Klepacki and Miller won the $250 Ranger Boats Big Basket Award for their 24-pound, 2-ounce limit, while Paul Horwath and Bill Chesslo collected the $250 Pepsi Big Fish Award for a 7.13-pound walleye.

A total of 432 walleyes weighing 1,319 pounds, 6 ounces crossed the scale during the catch-and-release format championship. Adding to the excitement, the event was streamed live on the internet at cabelas.com/ntc and was also filmed for national television, to air in early August on “Americana Outdoors” on NBC Sports, the Pursuit Channel and other regional networks. Exact dates and airtimes will be announced at walleyefederation.com.

A Kid’s Fishing Clinic was held immediately following the day one weigh-in; youngsters got to meet NTC competitors and received free rod-and-reel combos courtesy of Cabela’s and The Walleye Federation.

The 2015 Milford Lake event marked the 14th edition of the Cabela’s NTC. Sponsors included Ranger Boats, Evinrude, Geico, Power-Pole and Pepsi. The Walleye Federation, based in Ponca City, Oklahoma, managed and produced the event, including the qualifying process. For details on this year’s festivities or the 2016 championship, visit walleyefederation.com, or call (580) 765-9031

14th Annual Cabela’s National Team Championship
Set For Kansas’ Milford Lake May 27-30

Ponca City, Okla.—May 19, 2015—Walleye warriors from across North America will converge on Milford Lake, Kansas, May 27-30 to battle for top honors and high-stakes payouts in the 2015 Cabela’s National Team Championship.

Widely regarded as the walleye world’s premier grassroots championship, the Cabela’s NTC is comprised of teams that qualified through competition in local tournaments organized by walleye clubs sanctioned by The Walleye Federation.

The 2015 event on Milford Lake marks the 14th edition of the prestigious championship; 185 two-person teams will vie for ultimate bragging rights and more than $274,000 in cash and prizes. First prize is $30,000 in cash plus a $68,000 Evinrude E-Tec powered 620 Ranger boat. A second Ranger and E-Tec combo will be awarded through the Ranger Cup contingency, meaning the victors could take home more than $160,000 in cash and prizes.

In all, the Cabela’s NTC pays out $121,000 in cash to the top 50 teams, $14,600 in Cabela’s gift cards to the remainder of the field, and $1,000 in Cabela’s gift cards for big fish and big basket awards. In addition, the top 25 teams earn the title of “Cabela’s All-Americans” and received commemorative rings marking their achievement.

The entire field will compete the first two days on the 16,000-acre reservoir. Each team will be allowed to bring their best five fish to the scale each day. Competition will be fierce, as only the top 25 teams advance to the final round on day three.

Walleye fans are invited to cheer on their favorite teams when they take off from Milford Lake Marina each morning at 7 a.m., then watch the action unfold in person at the weigh-ins, which begin at 3 p.m. daily. Adding to the excitement, the event will be streamed live on the internet at cabelas.com/ntc and also filmed for national television, to air in early August on “Americana Outdoors” on NBC Sports, the Pursuit Channel and other regional networks. Exact dates and airtimes will be announced at walleyefederation.com.

A Kid’s Fishing Clinic will be held immediately following the day one weigh-in; youngsters will get to meet NTC competitors and the first 100 kids will receive free rod-and-reel combos courtesy of Cabela’s and The Walleye Federation.

Cabela’s NTC sponsors include Ranger Boats, Evinrude, Geico, Power-Pole and Pepsi. The Walleye Federation, based in Ponca City, Oklahoma, manages and produces the event, including the qualifying process. For details, visit walleyefederation.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

Sunne, Hartman Win Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Big Stone Lake Qualifier
Presented by Okuma

Ortonville, Minn.—May 16, 2015—South Dakotans Dan Sunne and Jim Hartman rallied to score a comeback victory at the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s Big Stone Lake qualifying tournament presented by Okuma May 15-16.

After landing in 11th place on day one with an 11-pound, 11-ounce 5-fish limit, the pair vaulted into the winner’s circle on the wings of a 20-pound, 15-ounce basket that gave them a 32-pound, 10-ounce total weight. The win earned them $9,300 in cash along with the $1,000 Ranger Cup contingency and $200 Okuma bonus. They also collected $2,800 in cash from the option pot, and a $1,000 Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package, including paid entry into the 2016 NTC, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques.

Because all 2015 Cabela’s MWC tournaments are also designated as “State Championship Qualifying Events,” Sunne and Hartman, both of Milbank, also earned the title of South Dakota State Walleye Champions. Besides bragging rights, they claimed a $1,000 prize package including custom champions’ rings from Tight Lines Jewelry, marble plaques, decals and a spot on the MWC website’s Wall of Fame.

“We’re pretty excited,” said Sunne. “This is our fifth time fishing the MWC’s Big Stone tournament and we’ve taken a couple thirds and a seventh, but never a win.” Hartman, who was likewise elated at the victory, explained the team pitched jigs tipped with minnows to shallow rock piles about six miles from the Ortonville landing in 3 to 5 feet of water. They also pulled slip bobbers and leeches behind the boat, but jigging proved the most productive tactic.

In second place, Troy Morris and Corey Heiser brought in nine fish weighing 28 pounds, 15 ounces to collect $4,650 in cash, plus $2,100 from the option pot and the $500 Lowrance Electronics bonus.

Rounding out the top five were:
3rd: Brian Steichen and Shawn Carl, 28-07, $3,150 cash
4th: Artie Arndt and Mike Frisch, 25-07, $2,400 cash plus $1,400 from the option pot
5th: Paul Weber and Russle Borstad, 24-02, $1,900 cash

Big-fish honors went to Kelly Stattelman and Monty Athey in 14th place for their 10-pound, 2-ounce walleye, which earned them the $200 Zippo Hot Hand Award. They also claimed $700 for taking fourth place in the option pot standings.

In all, the Cabela’s MWC awarded a total payback of $44,330.00 in cash and prizes.

Weigh-ins were held at Lake Side Park in scenic Ortonville. The 60-team field, representing 10 states, brought a total of 285 walleyes weighing 760 pounds, 5 ounces to the scale during the event, including 18 five-fish daily limits. The Cabela’s MWC, National Professional Anglers Association, Pure Fishing and Zippo Outdoor Brands 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.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2015 schedule spans nine states and includes 11 regular-season qualifiers plus the 2015 World Walleye Championship.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in its 14th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Abu Garcia, Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats, The Walleye Federation and Zippo Outdoor Brands. Associate sponsors include: Yellow Bird Fishing Products, Okuma, T-H Marine and Tight Lines Jewelry. For more information, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.
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