CABELA’S MWC SEASON CONTINUES
FIRST STOP ON THE MWC EAST SCHEDULED APRIL 23 & 24
Minnetonka, MN — MWC anglers won’t be letting the dust settle on
their fishing gear; as the next stop in the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit
is just a few weeks away. Returning to the Detroit River and Lake Erie, the
MWC is thrilled to be back to such a tremendous fishery. Local anglers are
excited to see the well-respected walleye circuit back in their territory.
This second tournament of the season, title sponsored by Lindy
Legendary Tackle, comes on the heels of the 19th consecutive year at Spring
Valley, Illinois just a week ago. Anglers were jigging to their hearts
content with Lindy’s on the Illinois River. More of the same is expected on
the Detroit River. A lot will depend on the conditions.
“If the water is clean, we’ll be vertical jigging.” explained Shawn
Hannah of Ontario. “Hand lining, pole lining and pulling 3-ways are other
options depending on the conditions at the time of the tournament.” Hannah
and his partner Kevin Lavers are MWC East early bird teams. They plan to
arrive on Monday for a week of pre-fishing prior to the tournament. Hannah
predicts the majority of the fish will come out of the river. “Why leave
fish to go find fish?” Hannah wondered. “Sure there’s big fish on the
Lake, but it’s pretty hard to put a Lake pattern together for two
consecutive days.”
According to Jason Lawrence of New York, “It’s been a few years
since I’ve fished there – but I can’t wait to get back.” He and partner
Larry Johnson won the Cabela’s MWC Lake Chautauqua tournament in 2004.
Jason knows there’s big fish available jigging on the Detroit River. “It’s
a pretty fun bite – and I just stocked up on 40 lbs. of jigs at the Cabela’s
store to get ready.”
As the title sponsor of this tournament, Lindy is hoping for a great
showing with their new products — Max Gap Jigs and Munchies Thumpin
Ringworms. The new 3 3/4″ Munchies Thumpin Ringworm should be a staple in
the tackle boxes for this tournament, as soft plastics are quietly gaining
momentum as a tournament winning strategy. According to Ted Takasaki,
tournament pro and president of Lindy, “In the lighter current parts of the
river; the 3/8 Max Gap Jigs with a Thumpin Grub should work great. But a
lot of the river has a much stronger current – and 5/8 to 1 oz. Jumbo
Fuzz-E-Grub may be what it takes to stay down. These awesome jigs with the
Munchies Thumpin Grubs or Munchies Thumpin Ringworms should help tournament
anglers bring in nice baskets at this tournament.” Many anglers are
predicting 30 lb. baskets will be needed each day to stay competitive in
this tournament.
Nearly 40 teams have picked up the Detroit River tournament as part
of the MWC Challenge, a separate competition for MWC team of the year
honors. Teams must complete a full division’s three tournaments plus add a
fourth tournament to vie for their shot at the $20,000 Challenge purse.
Reigning MWC Team of the Year member Rick Zachowski of Milwaukee, WI, whose
picture, along with Rob Manthei of St. Germain, WI is on the cover of the
MWC 2005 directory booklets added, “The Challenge brings the East and
Central divisions together. A team from either division could walk away
with Team of the Year. I like that idea. You have to be in the top of the
field for all four tournaments to have a shot at Team of the Year. That
forces people out of their groove – and into new waters in different parts
of the country.” What has it meant to Zachowski to accomplish Cabela’s MWC
Team of the Year? “There are so many great anglers in the MWC, that it
really means a lot to accomplish that goal.”
Five teams to watch in the 2005 MWC Challenge:
* Randy Carol of Oswego, IL & Ed Klein of Wayne, IL
* Neil Hammargren of Waterloo, IA and Doug Newhoff of Waterloo, IA
* Wayne Butz of Oneida, WI and Don Frederick of Appleton, WI
* Kevin Dahl of Muskego, WI and Steve Stack of Muskego, WI
* Dennis Robinson of Tomahawk, WI and Jay Walsh of Chicago, IL
The public is encouraged to attend the weigh-ins at Elizabeth Park in
Trenton, Michigan, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00
p.m. Prizes of Lindy tackle products as well as other sponsor goodies will
be handed out – as well as tips and tactics from some of the best anglers in
the country. North American Fisherman editor Kurt Beckstrom will emcee at
the weigh-in stage for this and the remaining MWC East tournaments. The
Downriver Walleye Federation is assisting the MWC with tournament
operations, and the estimated $1500 conservation fund will be donated to
their club for improving the local area fisheries.
Circuit title sponsor for the MWC is Cabela’s – the World’s Foremost
Outfitter. You can find all the sponsors products at Cabela’s. MWC
sponsors include Lindy Legendary Tackle, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury,
MotorGuide, Ranger Boats, The Outdoor Channel, North American Fishing Club,
Daiichi Bleeding Bait Hooks, Panther Marine, Salmo Performance Lures and
Walleye Central.
For more information on tournament openings contact the Cabela’s MWC
toll-free at 877-893-7947 or drop an email to
[email protected]. Rules and registration forms are
available online at http://www.masterswalleyecircuit.com.