Cabela’s MWC Central
Division Returns To Escanaba
--Presented by Ranger Boats
July 21, 2010 Minnetonka, MN—Great fishing, world-class competition and hefty payouts will collide when the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit returns to Big and Little Bays de Noc out of Escanaba, Michigan, September 11-12.
“We’ve got a good mix of year-classes and there are big fish to be found,” says Darren Kramer, area fisheries manager for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Indeed, and MWC veteran Steve Bodinger of Chilton, Wisconsin, is expecting big things. “It’s a great fishery and good time of year to be there—we should see the beginning of the fall bite,” he says. “With the slot limit gone, we could see some big weights come in.” And make no mistake, Bodinger knows big walleyes. This April, he and brother Dan won the MWC’s Detroit River Eastern Division Qualifier with a monster two-day bag of 10 fish weighing 72.59 pounds, good for $17,400 in cash and prizes.
Bodinger says the options at Escanaba are many, but he believes spinners are the presentation to beat. “It’s typically a spinner bite,” he explains, noting that he’ll rely on hot patterns from MWC-sponsor Northland Fishing Tackle. And who could blame him, given that the Detroit River win came on Northland’s Mr. Walleye Crawler Haulers in perch-imitating patterns.
Great fishing aside, MWC anglers will enjoy the legendary competition of matching wits and skills with the planet’s top teams. Plus, healthy payouts spiced with sponsor bonuses sweeten the reward. Based on a 100-team field, the top 20 teams will share a $52,030 cash purse, with the victors claiming a $15,250 first-place check. Sponsor bonuses including Cabela’s Angler Cash, Berkley Premier Team, Ranger Cup, Lowrance HDS, and U2 the Oxygenator add another $3,700 to the table.
Plus, anglers have the option of entering the Big Fish Pot, which pays cash awards for the top three walleyes each tournament day. At the Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, circuit stop in June, the Big Fish Pot paid a total of $3,400.
Teams have until August 23 to register before the $100 late fee kicks in. Registration closes at noon August 6. For more information, visit: www.masterswalleyecircuit.com; email: events@masterswalleyecircuit.com; or call: (877) 893-7947.
The Gladstone Marina will host take-offs and weigh-ins. Teams will launch at 7 a.m. and return at 4 p.m. The MWC and National Professional Anglers Association will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after the first day’s weigh-in. Youths receive rods and reels donated by Cabela’s and Berkley, and tackle packages courtesy of Northland Fishing Tackle.
Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering their ninth season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors of the MWC include: Berkley, Ranger Boats, Mercury, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Fishouflage, Versus (Vs.) Television Network and North American Fishing Club. Associate Sponsors include: O2 Marine Technologies, 3-IN-ONE No Rust Shield, Abu Garcia, Fin-tech, Northland Fishing Tackle, Ryjus and Reflections.