Mississippi River Gold Struck by Kolb and Geitgey

Presented By: Lowrance

Red Wing, MN – May 11, 2026 – The Masters Walleye Circuit finally made a return this 2026 season to the Mighty Mississippi River. With volatile water levels, and a spawn that happens at the same time, timing a spring event in Red Wing, MN can be challenging as seen in the 2024 season when the event had to be moved. The weather this time around was much more cooperative, although anglers said it was far from ideal. Water levels were dropping very fast during pre-fishing and throughout the event, with temperatures touching freezing in the beginning of the week, to 75 and sunny by day 1. Anglers put in a ton of work chasing fish, attempting to adapt to the changing conditions as quickly as the fish were moving with them. Multiple teams had figured out how to stay consistent and find fish, but only one team came to the stage on day 1 with 24lbs and 6oz. David Kolb and Scott Geitgey had over a 2-pound lead going into day 2.

Even with multiple game plans in place, strategized by Kolb/Geitgey alongside the teams of Randy/RJ Harwood and Tyler Maney/Thor Wick, on both pools 3 and 4 that had been producing fish throughout pre-fishing, on day 2 Kolb and Geitgey had to cycle through their bag of tricks. Whether it was crankbaits, blade baits, willow cats, or nightcrawlers, they were determined to find winning walleye. Targeting 9’-14’ of water and looking for areas that held current even with the receding water, they cycled between their “over” spots and their “under” spots and reported they were happy to see some decent unexpected big fish from their “under” spot.

Sitting on the hotseat during the weigh-in on day 2 was Jason and Hunter Lorenson, weighing a competitive 19lbs and 6oz the previous day, and proving consistency pays off with 17lbs and 7oz on day 2 for a total of 36-13. Nerves were high as Kolb and Geitgey brought their 5 fish to the stage with both teams watching the scale, as the weight of 12lbs and 7oz was all that was needed to win, and they had caught the perfect weight of walleyes to do so. Kolb and Geitgey had put up the same exact weight of 36lbs and 13oz but won on the third tie breaker of “biggest single days catch” with their unmatched day 1 bag of 24lbs and 6oz.With the second event of the year completed, teams will be starting to do the math on points and setting their goals accordingly to qualify for the World Walleye Championship on Devil’s Lake, ND. Kolb and Geitgey will have a solid base, with a 5^th place finish at the first qualifier in March on the Illinois River, and now a 1^st place win on the Mississippi River.

After passing a routine polygraph examination, the winners of the 2026 Mississippi River Masters Walleye Circuit Qualifier earned a champions trophy and a paid berth into the 2027 National Team Championship. David Kolb and Scott Geitgey took home $11,060 in Cash, $5,100 in Option Pot Cash, a Lowrance Recon Trolling Motor, the Lowrance Exclusive Bonus of $750, the NTC prize package valued at $1000 consisting of custom NTC jerseys, custom NTC plaques, and a cash travel stipend, for a total of $21,209.99 in cash and prizes!

The lot of the top five teams put up impressive weights to earn their respective rewards:

2^nd: Jason Lorenson & Hunter Lorenson, 36-13, $5,800 Cash, $3,024 Option Pot Cash

3^rd: Tony Flatten & Kendall Flatten, 35-12, $3,900 Cash, $2,100 Option Pot Cash

4^th: Jason Kicherer & Chris Akey, 34-11, $2,750 Cash, $1650 Option Pot Cash

5^th: Jarrad Fluekiger & Joe Newcomb, 32-01, $2,220 Cash, $1,400 Option Pot Cash

Overall, 81 two-man teams consisting of 162 anglers competed in this event representing 11 different states, catching 487 fish for a total of 1419 pounds of Mighty Mississippi River Walleye and Sauger.

Before this MWC event began, Steve Persinger and Chad Busho won an AirSafe Hitch valued at over $2,000 on registration night, compliments of 4windssales.com. Also at registration, the Premier Team drawing of a duffle bag package was awarded to Tim Juba and Tom Sieburg

The Big Fish Award on Day 1 was won by Jarrad Fluekiger and Joe Newcomb with Mississippi River giant weighing 10lbs 6oz putting them in a prime 4^th place position they battled to hold onto day 2 with a 5^th place finish. Day 2 Big Fish Award for day 2 went to Jordan Fluekiger and Maddy Berg with a very healthy 9lb 4oz walleye, showcasing that the Fluekigers can certainly find the big fish. The cash pot for big fish was $3,480, meaning each day the big fish winners took home $1,740. Additionally, the team of *Corey and Connor Heiser won the Lowrance Trolling Motor Bonus of $500 for using a Ghost or Recon trolling motor.

As part of the 2026 MWC season, anglers can compete for a coveted spot in the 2026 World Walleye Championship held in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. The 2026 WWC will be a one-time Dual Event with qualifying teams from 2025 and 2026, with a combined pot and, new to 2026 – a Brand-New Nitro ZV20 Powered By Mercury as the top prize. Teams can participate in as many events as they wish, with points earned in at least three qualifiers necessary for an invitation to the World Walleye Championship. MWC’s “Living the Dream” team, using points from four qualifiers throughout the regular season, will earn a sponsorship package valued up to $10,000 which includes a spot to compete in the National Team Championship and up to four, paid-in-full, MWC events.

Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered into that event. Overall payout is awarded to 20% of the field, providing more inspiration to sign up and join the fun. In addition to a hefty check, the first-place team also earns a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s National Team Championship (NTC) prize package including: paid entry, a travel stipend, team jerseys, and plaques. Additionally, the big-fish pot, option-pot and sponsor bonuses will add thousands more for distribution among the field.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) is North America’s longest running and undisputed leader in team walleye tournaments since 1984 and as an inductee into the freshwater fishing hall of fame. MWC has set the standard for competitive walleye fishing for 42 years. The 2026 schedule includes six qualifiers in five states, plus berths into the 2026 MWC World Walleye Championship presented by Nitro boats in Devils Lake, North Dakota.  Stay tuned for more 2026 announcements at:

www.MastersWalleyeCircuit.com.

Masters Walleye Circuit Official Level Sponsors: Mercury Marine, Lowrance Electronics, and Nitro Boats. Associate Sponsors: TH Marine, Airsafe Hitch Products, National Professional Anglers Association, and The Walleye Federation.

For more information, contact support@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call (580) 765-9031.

* Correction made 5/11/2026 – Due to a clerical error it was incorrectly reported that Justin Sivek and Jason Betzler won the Lowrance trolling motor award. Corey and Connor Heiser were also registered with a Lowrance Recon trolling motor and finished 22nd.