Press Release
For Immediate Release
CABELA’S MWC MERCURY MARINE/PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE
SEASON OPENER MARCH 22-23
Minnetonka, Minn. – The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) will open its
2003 tournament season with the Mercury Marine/Progressive Insurance team
walleye tournament March 22-23 on the Illinois River at Spring Valley, Ill.
This marks the 17th consecutive year that the Spring Valley Walleye Club
(SVWC) is hosting the circuit opener.
According to Kristine Houtman, MWC Events Director, 69 teams signed up to
fish all four tournaments this year, putting an immediate dent in the
200-team fields. The Spring Valley tourney filled quickly, with a waiting
list, resulting in a decision to increase the tournament field to 220 teams.
The cash payout will also be increased to $108,000 with $30,000 going to the
winners. The top 35 teams will share the full prize money as follows:
1st Place – $30,000
2nd Place – $13,000
3rd Place – $9,500
4th Place – $7,000
5th Place – $5,500
6th Place – $4,500
7th Place – $3,500
8th Place – $3,000
9th Place – $2,500
10th Place – $2,000
11th – 15th Place – $1,650
16th – 20th Place – $1,350
21st – 25th Place – $1,000
26th – 35th Place – $750
for a total of $108,000 assuming 220 boats
Additionally, the highest-ranking team that drives a Ranger boat will be
awarded $1,000 from the Ranger Cup tournament series promotion. The winning
team using Cotton Cordell or Yum brand products, mentioned on stage, will be
awarded $300 in products. Spring Valley’s Barto Landing will serve as
tourney headquarters for SVWC tournament director, Mike Hurless, and his 200
plus volunteers. Fishing hours will be 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily.
Founded in 1984, the MWC is the oldest and largest professional team walleye
tournament venue in the country. Circuit anglers vary in age from their
teens to the eighties and hail from New York to Colorado. In fact, 440
anglers will compete from the following states:
Colorado: 3
Florida: 1
Iowa: 29
Illinois: 150
Indiana: 5
Kansas: 2
Michigan: 18
Minnesota: 74
Missouri: 2
Nebraska: 1
New York: 2
Ohio: 2
Pennsylvania: 4
South Dakota: 2
Wisconsin: 145
Family participation and conservation is stressed at the events. Monies from
every entry fee are placed into the MWC Conservation Fund, then directed to
fishing projects in states where MWC tournaments are held. In this
tournament, $3300 will be earned for Illinois projects.
Local Spring Valley anglers John and Gary Dalzot are seeking a four-peat.
They have won the last three MWC Illinois River tournaments. Their 2002 ten
fish limit of 38.18 lbs. was worth $25,000. A total of 1,422 fish weighing
3,508 lbs., a 2.47-lb. average, were caught. The heaviest fish came in at
5.65 lbs. caught by Pat Cavins of Green Bay, WI and Bob Winkler of Neenah,
WI.
The Illinois River is famous for producing large numbers of fish, mostly
saugers. A tournament record of 1,825 fish were caught in the 1996
tournament.
Vertical jigging minnows while slipping the current is the most popular
technique of Illinois River anglers. However, trolling bottom-bouncing
crankbaits also produces heavy catches. Most of these fish are taken when a
slow S trolling pattern is employed over the main river channel breaks.
Overall angling success depends upon water depth, clarity and current speed.
The Dalzots fished the main channel between the Starved Rock Dam and the
Hennepin Bridge in depths between 15 and 17 feet. They used 2/6 pound
Berkley green FireLine and 3/8 ounce orange jigs tipped with minnows.
Up-to-the-minute river conditions can be obtained from the MWC and SVWC
websites, http://www.masterswalleyecircuit.com/ and http://www.spring-valley-walleye.org/ Both sites also furnish statistics of past
Illinois River tournaments, as well as lodging, restaurant, bait shop and
boat launch information.
This season’s tournaments and Championship will be featured on The Outdoor
Channel television network, allowing teams to receive national media
recognition.
Tournament coverage and related articles will also appear in the North
American Fisherman magazine, the official publication of the MWC. All
circuit events will be conducted from Cabela’s state-of-the-art,
computerized mobile transport vehicle, which is specifically designed for
tournament television coverage. Additionally, all MWC tournaments will serve
as qualifying events to the 2004 Cabela’s National Team Championship.
2003 CABELA’S MASTERS WALLEYE CIRCUIT SCHEDULE
March 22-23 Illinois River Spring Valley, Ill.
May 17-18 Big Stone Lake Ortonville, Minn.
September 13-14 Bays de Noc Escanaba/Gladstone Mich.
September 27-28 Lake Pepin/Miss.River Lake City, Minn.
World Walleye Championship: Top 40 teams from the 2002 MWC season, plus top
five teams from the Cabela’s National Team Championship:
October 16-17-18 Mississippi River Prairie du Chien, Wis.
Tournament entry forms can be downloaded from the MWC website or by
contacting the MWC, 12301 Whitewater Dr., Minnetonka, MN 55343 or phone toll
free, 877-893-7947.
In addition to Cabela’s, MWC sponsors include Berkley Trilene, Lindy
Legendary Tackle, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, North American
Fishing Club, The Outdoor Channel, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats,
Cotton Cordell, Flambeau, MotorGuide, Panther Marine, Daiichi Hooks, Yum
Lures, Optima Batteries, Walleye Assassin Lures and the National Freshwater
Fishing Hall of Fame.
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