Steve Weisman
Grand National Walleye Cup Publicity Director
GNWC Teams Prepare for 2005 Season
By Steve Weisman
GNWC Publicity Director
As spring approaches, anglers fishing the Grand National Walleye Cup
(GNWC) are getting ready for what looks to be an outstanding series of
competitive regional qualifiers and regional championships, with all seven
roads leading to the 2005 National Championship presented by Skeeter Boats
and Yamaha Outboards.
“It’s been a long winter, and as I talk to many of the teams fishing the
GNWC, they are excited to get things rolling. We’ve worked hard to give the
teams the best walleye waters that we could in each region, and the GNWC
staff is looking for another exciting season.” said GNWC Executive Director
Bernie Barringer. “Our goal continues to provide a competitive fishing
experience for the weekend warrior at an affordable price, and I am certain
that we are filling a definite need in the walleye tournament world.”
Flexibility remains a cornerstone of the circuit with anglers being
able to fish in just their own state or region, or they can compete for the
National Championship presented by Skeeter Boats and Yamaha Outboards.
Regions include the Great Plains (Nebraska-Kansas), Iowa, Michigan,
Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. However, to become a National
team eligible for advancement to the National Championship, the team must
declare its intent as a “National Team” and put $100 into the National
Championship pot before the first event in their region.
The entry fee remains at $210 per team for all events with an 80 percent
payback. Also, $10 of the entry fee will go to an enhanced fishing
conservation fund that goes directly back to enhance that region’s fishery.
“I look for continued growth in all of our regions, and after last
year’s tremendous National Championships at Lake of the Woods, I know there
are teams who just plain can’t wait for the 2005 National Championship on
Lake Erie,” said Barringer. “Vermilion, OH will be our host community, and
they are rolling out the red carpet for us. On the line will be a first
place prize of two fully rigged WX 1880 Skeeter boats rigged with Yamaha
outboards, Minnkota electric trolling motors and Lowrance Electronics. With
a retail value of $35,000 per rig, this brings the first place purse to
$70,000.”
In addition, a third fully rigged WX 1880 will be given away in a
drawing at the National Championship. Each angler who fishes in the National
Championship will have a chance to win this boat. It will be given away at
the tournament in a random drawing, and all contestants that meet
eligibility guidelines will have one chance to win.
With the help of major sponsors, several awards will also be given
throughout the year. “Sponsorships help us reward the teams who fish the
GNWC. We have a partial list completed so far, and we expect to release
several other sponsorships and their awards before the season kicks off,”
noted Barringer.
First, there is “Skeeter Boats Performance Program”. The owner of a
Skeeter boat who wins a GNWC qualifying tournament while fishing in the
Skeeter will be awarded an additional $1000 above their GNWC winnings by
Skeeter Boats. Any owner of a Skeeter boat who wins a GNWC regional or
national championship tournament while fishing in the Skeeter will be
awarded an additional $3000 above their GNWC winnings by Skeeter Boats. In
addition, the top-finishing Skeeter owner in each of the nine championships
(eight regionals and the national) will receive $1000. This extra $1000 is
above the $3000 for winning, so if you are a Skeeter owner and you win any
regional or national championship you would receive an additional $4000!
The “Yamaha Team of the Year Award” goes to the team in each region
that finishes with the fewest points after completing all four qualifiers in
that region will win a Yamaha T-8 kicker motor. This motor is valued at
$2900, and is considered the best trolling kicker motor available anywhere.
Next, there is the Lowrance “YOU WIN!” Award. In addition to the cash
purse, the winner of each of the eight regional championships will receive a
Lowrance LMS-332C color sonar/GPS for each team member. These units have a
$700 MSRP, making the award worth $1400. You will see why at Lowrance, they
say “We lead, we find, You Win!”
YoNet “Yo So Close” Award goes to the three teams that finish just out
of the money at each tournament, including the regional and national
championships. They will receive a YO net, the landing net that folds and
stores in your boat compartment and deploys in just six seconds.
TowTector, manufacturers of the TowTector Shield, the finest towing
boat protector on the market, will offer the TowTector Comeback Award at
each of the regional championships and the national championship. The team
that advances the most places from day one to day two at each regional
championship will receive a custom-made TowTector Shield valued at $269. At
the National Championship presented by Skeeter Boats, the team that advances
the most places will receive two TowTector Shields with a retail value of
$538.
Aqua-Vu Underwater Viewing Systems will provide two loaner cameras to be
checked out by the tournament director for pre-fishing at each of the
qualifiers and will also award an underwater viewing system as a door prize
at each of the Regional Championships and the National Championship.
Aqua Innovations Mega Bubble award is worth an additional $250 to any
team who wins a tournament if their boat’s livewell is equipped with the
Aqua Innovations oxygen enhancement system. Plus they will be awarding
systems to the anglers as door prizes at the championships and offering
discounts to GNWC members.
“There is a lot of interest in the GNWC this year. I encourage anybody
who would like to experience tournament fishing to give the GNWC a try. If
people have questions, they can call me at 1-800-890-3474. In addition to
the seven region circuit, there are other benefits of being a member of the
GNWC.”
One additional benefit of becoming a GNWC team is the opportunity to get the
GNWC official magazine Walleye Wisdom. The quarterly magazine includes
complete tournament coverage, walleye how-to articles and tips to help
people become better anglers.
The GNWC website (www.walleyecup.com) continues to be the hub for GNWC
members. “We want the GNWC website to be user friendly and an important site
to visit on the Internet,” added Barringer. The site includes detailed
scheduling information on locations and host communities, tournament results
and highlights, how-to articles, along with a message board and free
classifieds for members.
Major national sponsors for the GNWC include Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
Outboards, Lowrance Electronics, AMFYOYO, Aqua-VU, Aqua Innovations, VIB”E”
Lure Company and UpNorthOutdoors.com.
Interested anglers can also call 1-800-890-FISH (3474), or they can
email the GNWC at [email protected].
Cutline: This pair of cups went to the 2004 GNWC National Championship
winning team. The 2005 National Champions earn the two cups, along with two
fully rigged WX 1880 Skeeter boats rigged with Yamaha outboards, Minnkota
electric trolling motors and Lowrance Electronics. The road to the National
Championship begins with regional competition followed by a Regional
Championship.
’05 Grand National Walleye Cup Region Schedules
GREAT PLAINS – KANSAS, NEBRASKA
April 30, Sherman Reservoir, Nebraska
Location: Tradewinds Marina & Cabins, 308-745-1187
Host lodging: Tradewinds & Colony Inn & Motel, 308-745-0164
Bait Shop: Tradewinds Marina
May 29, Wilson Lake, Kansas
Location: Wilson State Park-Hell Creek
Host lodging: Days Inn, 1225 S Fossil, Russell, 785-483-6660
Additional Info: http://www.russellks.org
Russell Convetion & Visitor’s Bureau, 785-483-6960
June 26, McConaughy, Nebraska
Location: Martin Bay
Host lodging: Ogallala Chamber of Commerce, 800-658-4390
Bait Shop: Kingsley Lodge, 800-883-2775
Additional Info: http://www.visitogallala.com, 800-658-4390
July 17, Milford Lake, Kansas
Location: Milford State Park South Ramp
Host lodging: Holiday Inn Express, Exit 298, 785-762-4200
Bait Shop: BJ’s 66, Hwy 57 & 77, 785-238-5966
Additional Info: http://www.junctioncity.org
Championship: August 13-14 El Dorado, Kansas
Hosted by Shady Creek Marina & Community of El Dorado
IOWA
April 10, Mississippi River Marquette
Location: Isle of Capri Marina
Host lodging: Prairie Motel, 1616 S Marquette, Prairie du Chien 608-326-6461
Additional Info: http://www.mcgreg-marq.org
April 24, Clear Lake
Location: MacIntosh Woods State Park
Host lodging: Lake Country Inn
888-357-2185 http://www.netmation.com/lci
Bait Shop: Dome Bait 641-829-4418
May 22, Rathbun
Location: Honey Creek State Park
Host lodging: Motel 60, Hwy 5, Centerville 800-437-7271
Bait Shop: J&K Lighthouse, Honey Creek Rd 641-724-9869
June 19, Mississippi River, Albany, IL
Location: Albany City Ramp
Host lodging: Super 8, 1711 Lincoln Way, Clinton, 563-242-8870
Championship: Sept 17-18, Okoboji
Hosted by: Triggs Resort
MICHIGAN
April 3, Detroit River
Location: Elizabeth Park
Host lodging: Sleep Inn, I-75 Exit 29, 734-782-9898
Bait Shop: Bottom Line Bait & Tackle, 32660 W Jefferson Ave, 734-379-9762
Additional Info: Taylor Gander Mountain, 734-287-7420
May 15, Houghton Lake
Location: South Ramp
Host lodging: Best Western, 4990 W Houghton Lake Dr, 989-366-9126
Bait Shop: Lyman’s on the Lake, 6560 W Houghton Lake Dr, 989-422-3231
Additional Info: http://www.houghtonlakechamber.org / http://www.houghtonlakefishing.com,
800-248-5253
June 26, Hubbard Lake
Location: East Bay Boat Ramp
Host lodging: Hubbard Lake Motor Lodge, 6990 Bear Springs Rd, 989-727-3311
Bait Shop: The Side Door Bait and Tackle 989-736-6418
Additional Info: http://www.fishhubbardlake.com
July 24, Saginaw Bay
Location: Northpoint Marina, Au Gres
Host lodging: Harbor Inn, Hwy 23 1 mile west of Marina, 989-876-8131
Bait Shop: Northport General Store, 989-876-8929
Championship: August 27-28, Gun Lake
MINNESOTA
May 8, Mississippi at Red Wing
Location: Colvill Park
Host lodging: AmericInn, 1819 Old West Main, 866-385-0018
Bait Shop: Four Seasons, 651-388-4334
Additional Info: http://www.redwing.org
* June 12, Whitefish Chain
Location: Pine Ridge Resort
Host lodging: Piney Ridge Resort, 800-450-3333, http://www.pineyridge.com
Bait Shop: Circle B Outfitters, Hwy 371, Jenkins, 218-568-4575
Additional Info: http://www.whitefishchain.com
*This tournament will be limited to 50 boats.
June 26, Green Lake
Location: Salsbury Park
Host lodging: Northern Inn, 154 Lake Ave S, 800-941-0423
Bait Shop: Mel’s Sports Shop, across from boat ramp, 320-796-2000
July 17, Mille Lacs
Location: Red Door Resort
Host lodging & Bait: Red Door Resort, 218-678-3686
Additional Info: http://www.reddoorresort.com
Championship: September 10-11, Bemidji
Hosted by Bemidji Gander Mountain and Bemidji Marine
OHIO
April 10, Mosquito Creek
Location: Causeway Boat Ramp, St Rt 88
Host lodging: Quality Inn Route 80 exit 229 330-759-3180
Bait Shop: Causeway Sporting Goods, 2233 Greenville Rd, 330-637-7076
Gander Mountain, 330-544-5800
April 30 or May 1, Lake Erie-Huron
Location: Cranberry Creek Marina, 4319 Cleveland Rd E
Host lodging: Gull Motel, 45 Cleveland Rd E, 419-433-4855
Bait Shop: Cranberry Creek Marina, 419-433-3932
Additional Info: http://www.cranberrycreekmarina.com
May 22, Indian Lake
Location: Lakeview Ramp
Host lodging: Super 8 Bellefontaine, Hwy 33 & 68
Bait Shop: Lakeside Pro Bass, 11042 Hwy 235, 937-843-2488
Additional Info: http://www.indianlakechamber.com
June 19, Tappen Lake
Location: Hwy 250 Boat Ramp
Host lodging: Best Western Country Inn, 111 W McCauley Dr, 740-922-0074
Bait Shop: Cripple Creek Bait & Tackle, 29562 Cadiz-Dennison Rd,
740-922-0841
Championship: August 20-21 CJ Brown
Hosted by: Community of Springfield
SOUTH DAKOTA
April 17, Pierre
Location: Down’s Marine, 800 S Washington, 605-224-5533
Host lodging: Ramkota, 920 W Sioux, 605-224-6877, http://www.ramkota.com/pierre
Bait Shop: Down’s Marine
May 8, Lake Thompson
Location: Lake Thompson Recreation Area
Host lodging: Lake Preston Motel, Hwy 14 Lake Preston, 605-847-4424
Bait Shop: Mac’s Bait & Tackle, Hwy 14 Lake Preston, 605-847-4590
Additional Info: http://www.lakepreston.com, http://www.lakethompson.com
June 12, Bitter Lake
Location: Larry’s Landing
Host lodging: Stonefire Motel, 100 W Hsy 12, Webster, 605-345-4329
Bait Shop: Fisherman’s Village, 44603 142nd St, 605-947-4260
July 10, Lake Oahe, Spring Creek
Location: Spring Creek Resort
Host lodging & Bait: Spring Creek Resort, 610 N Jackson, 605-224-8336
Additional Info: http://www.springcreekresortsd.com
Championship: August 13-14, Angostura
Hosted by Community of Hot Springs
WISCONSIN
April 17, Mississippi River, Lacrosse
Location: Clint Street Landing
Host lodging: Best Western, 1835 Rose Street, 800-528-1234
Bait Shop: Gander Mountain, 9519 State Hwy 16, 608-783-2820
Additional Info: Gander Mountain, 608-783-2820
May 15, Petenwell
Location: Adams County Park, 608-564-7513
Host lodging: St. Joseph’s Resort, W5630 Hwy 21, 608-565-7258
Bait Shop: Petenwell Sports Shop, 608-564-7707
June 5, Lake Winnebago
Location: Rainbow Park
Host lodging: Super 8, W South Park Ave, 920-426-2885
Bait Shop: Tews Two Sporting Goods, 1605 S Main St, 920-233-3557
July 31, Green Bay Oconto
Location: Oconto Park
Host lodging: Ramada, Brazeau Ave, 920-834-5559
Bait Shop: Willow Bay Sporting Goods, 202 Main St, 920-834-4910
Championship: September 10-11, Minoqua Chain
Hosted by Community of Minoqua.
