October 22, 2002
Press Release
For Immediate Release
For further information, contact:
Kristine Houtman, Events Director
Phone: 877-893-7947
Fax: 952-936-9755
E-mail: [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>
Website: http://www.MastersWalleyeCircuit.com
<http://www.MastersWalleyeCircuit.com>
BODIN/MANN CROWNED
CABELA’S MWC WORLD WALLEYE CHAMPIONS
Prairie du Chien, Wis. — Bob Bodin and Scott Mann of Red Wing, Minn., have
won the 2002 Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) World Walleye
Championship held October 16-19 on the Mississippi River at Prairie du
Chien, Wis.
The championship field, comprised of the top 50 point accumulating teams
from the 2001 circuit season, competed for the title and shared the $100,000
cash purse.
Teams were allowed five fish per day measuring 15 inches. Bodin/Mann weighed
three consistent limits of 12.11 lbs., 11.99 lbs. and 10.63 lbs., totaling
34.73 lbs., earning them the championship crown and $25,000. The veteran duo
has fished the MWC for ten years, capturing the 1999 Team of the Year title.
This was their first circuit win.
According to Bodin, “We locked-up and fished the DeSoto Bay area of pool
nine. We found this spot in practice and left it alone until the tournament
started. Our last day was the best. We limited out by nine o’clock.”
Mann added, “We trolled orange-colored shad-imitating crankbaits from ten
foot Cabela’s baitcasting rods. We used 27-lb. test leadcore line with a
three-foot 30-lb. Berkley FireLine leader. We fished the current break in
front of the rip rap between 9 and 13 feet. Each day the water level
dropped, so we had to move closer to the main channel. The current was
really moving, but the fish really slammed the lures.”
The pair pocketed an additional $1,000 from Ranger Boats, being the highest
placing Ranger owner team in the Ranger Cup awards series.
Second place finishers were Wisconsinites Mark Kordus (Mosinee) and David
Lange (Junction City). Their catch totaled 31.28 lbs., worth $12,500.
Third place went to Bob Lauridsen of Oconomowoc, Wis., and Kim Spigarelli of
Rapid River, Mich. Due to equipment problems, they only caught one fish the
first day, 1.24 lbs., but zoomed up the leader board, finishing with 28.18
lbs. and pocketed $9,000. The also won the $500.00 big fish pot on the day
three with a 6.24 pounder.
Daily big fish honors and $500 went to Don Kohl of Suamico, WI and Tom Zag
of Rudolph, WI for a 7.85 pounder on day one, and then to Scott Allar and Ed
Krawiecki of Welch and Red Wing, MN with a 4.51 walleye on day two.
A total of 331 walleyes and saugers weighing 624.23 lbs. were caught in the
MWC catch and release format. A crew from the local federal fish hatchery
conveyed each day’s catch to the hatchery in the department’s oxygenated
tanker truck for later release.
The well-attended weigh-ins took place on the premises of Cabela’s Prairie
du Chien retail store and warehouse outlet and will be featured on ESPN-2 on
March 1st, 2003 and The Outdoor Channel on November 1st at 5pm, November 3rd
at 9am, and again on Monday, November 4th. Cabela’s employees and members of
the Falling Rock Walleye Club assisted the MWC staff in all phases of the
Championship. The 2003 Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship will also
take place in Prairie du Chien, scheduled for October 16-18, 2003.
For further circuit information, click onto http://www.masterswalleyecircuit.com
<http://www.masterswalleyecircuit.com/> or phone toll free 1-877-893-7947.
In addition to Cabela’s, the MWC World Walleye Championship sponsors
include: Ranger Boats, Berkley Trilene, Lindy Legendary Tackle, Lowrance
Electronics, Lund Truck Accessories, Mercury, North American Fishing Club,
Cotton Cordell, Flambeau, Leer, Panther Marine, Daiichi, Walleye Assassin
and United Sports & Leisure.
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