CABELA’S MWC BATTLE ON THE BAYS
NORTH AMERICAN FISHING CLUB/LOWRANCE ELECTRONICS/THE OUTDOOR CHANNEL WALLEYE TOURNAMENT
SET FOR SEPT. 13-14
Minnetonka, Minn. – After a four-month break, Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC)
teams have their game faces back on and are ready to duke it out in a battle
between the best of the best walleye anglers in the country.
Lake Michigan’s Bays de Noc will serve as competition waters for the
Cabela’s MWC North American Fishing Club/Lowrance Electronics/The Outdoor Channel walleye
tournament scheduled for Sept. 13-14 at Escanaba/Gladstone, Mich.
Located in the scenic Upper Peninsula of the wolverine state, Little and Big
Bays de Noc have earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the country’s
top walleye fisheries. Double-digit size fish are often caught, especially
during the late summer and fall seasons. A key element to this prolific
walleye fishery is the stocking program, began in 1989 and jointly supported
by the MWC Conservation Fund and the Bay de Noc Great Lakes Sport Fishermen
Club. To date, millions of walleye fingerlings have been released from the
club’s rearing ponds into the Bays.
Over a ton of walleyes, 2,353.21 lbs., were caught at last year’s Bays de
Noc event. The heaviest fish came in at 10.01 lbs. The circuit record,
caught in July of 2000 from adjoining Green Bay at Oconto, Wis., tipped the
scale at 12.34 lbs. It very well may have been one of the MWC’s stocked
fish.
Jim and Tim Minnema of Wis., the reigning Cabela’s MWC Father & Son Team of
the Year, took first place honors in 2002 with a ten fish limit totaling
46.38 lbs., pocketing a nifty $20,000 for their angling skills.
They’ll be back to defend their title but will face stiff competition from a
veteran field, headed by hometown favorites, Glenn and Carol Chenier, a
husband and wife team from Gladstone who have notched two victories, 1996
and 2001, on the Bays. The Cheniers also lead the current Cabela’s MWC Team
of the Year race with 190 points.
According to Carol, “We’ve won the MWC Husband & Wife Team of the Year award
four times, but winning the regular Team of the Year title would really be
great. We could do it all this year with a win at the Championship.”
A close second with 188 points are the 2001 MWC World Walleye Champions,
Bert Wilson of Gladstone and partner Don Solis of Perronville, Mich. In
third place with 185 points are Kim Spigarelli, Rapid River, Mich., and Bob
Lauridsen, Oconomowoc, Wis. The eventual 2003 Team of the Year winners will
be awarded $6,000.
Teams will be competing for a cash payment in excess of $100,000, based upon
a full 200-team field. The top 35 teams will share the prize money, with
$25,000 going to the victors. Tournament openings still exist. Entry forms
can be downloaded from http://www.masterswalleyecircuit.com or by contacting the
MWC, 12301 Whitewater Dr., Minnetonka, MN 55343 or phone toll free,
877-893-7947. Entry deadline is August 29th.
2003 marks the 15th consecutive year that the MWC has competed on the Bays
de Noc. The tournament will be co-hosted by the Delta County, Mich. Chamber
of Commerce (www.deltami.org or tel. 906-786-2192) and the Bay de Noc Great
Lakes Sport Fishermen Club.
Escanaba radio station MIX 106FM will also host a MWC team appreciation
dinner at the Delft Club prior to the tournament. The MIX will also conduct
live broadcasts from the weigh-in site at Gladstone.
Boats will launch from the Gladstone and Kipling ramps. Tournament fishing
hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 13th, and 7:00 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m. on Sun., Sept. 14th. Teams may weigh five fish per day. Only
two fish over 23 inches will be allowed per team each day.
In addition to Cabela’s, MWC sponsors include Berkley Trilene, Ranger Boats,
Lindy Legendary Tackle, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, North American
Fishing Club, The Outdoor Channel, Progressive Insurance, Cotton Cordell,
Flambeau, MotorGuide, Panther Marine, Daiichi Hooks, Yum Lures, Optima
Batteries, Lure Eyes, Walleye Assassin Lures and the National Freshwater
Fishing Hall of Fame.
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