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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Lewis, Rohloff Win Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Little Sturgeon Bay Qualifier
Presented by Abu Garcia

Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.—May 9, 2015—Wisconsin’s Cameron Lewis and Scott Rohloff brought a two-day, 10-fish limit to the scale weighing a whopping 77 pounds, 11 ounces to win the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s Sturgeon Bay qualifying tournament presented by Abu Garcia May 8-9.

Lewis, of West Bend, and Rohloff, of Watertown, brought in a behemoth basket weighing 42 pounds to top the leaderboard on day one. After wind conditions changed on day two they scrambled to add 35-11 to their tally to claim the prestigious victory and $9,200 cash first-place prize. They also collected $3,500 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.

“This is redemption,” said Lewis. “I’ve felt a little cursed at other tournaments but this time the monkey was off my back.”

“It feels amazing,” added Rohloff. “I fished two other MWC events before and didn’t have such good luck.”

Their winning tactic consisted of snap-jigging custom bladebaits in anywhere from 20 to 34 feet of water along transitions from rock to sand bottom on the east shore of Green Bay.

“The fish were deeper on day one, and moved shallower to find warmer water today,” Rohloff reported. “They moved on us, and we didn’t find them until the last hour of the day.”

“We had a strong north wind and fought waves up to four feet today, which made for challenging jigging conditions,” added Lewis.

In second, Jerrad Kalmerton and Brett Koenig weighed a 10-fish, 75-pound, 11-ounce limit worth $4,600 in cash, plus $2,650 from the option pot and the $200 Okuma bonus.

Rounding out the top six were:
3rd: Scott Aydelotte and Troy Loeckle, 73-00, $3,100 cash plus $1,600 from the option pot
4th: Randall Gaines and Mike Rhoades, 69-03, $2,350 cash plus $950 from the option pot
5th: Jason Wanty and David Parker, 64-10, $1,900 cash plus $500 Lowrance Electronics bonus
6th: Adam Adler and Ryan Dempsey, 64-04, $1,500 cash plus $750 option pot and $1,000 Ranger Cup award

Big-fish honors went to Buck Gehm and Louie Apitz in 22nd place for their 10-pound, 5-ounce walleye, which earned them the $200 Zippo Hot Hand Award plus $100 from Wave Point Marina. In all, the Cabela’s MWC awarded a total payback of $37,350 in cash and prizes.

All 2015 Cabela’s MWC tournaments are designated as “State Championship Qualifying Events.” In states hosting two events, teams must fish both tournaments to be in the running. Lewis and Rohloff now lead the points race for the Wisconsin title, which will be decided at the Lake Petenwell event in June. Besides bragging rights, state champions claim a $1,000 prize package including custom marble plaques, decals, a spot on the MWC website’s Wall of Fame and a bid to the Cabela’s NTC.

Weigh-ins were held at Wave Point Marina, Stevenson Pier at Little Sturgeon Bay. A total of 447 walleyes weighing 2,334 pounds crossed the stage during the event, including 71 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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