Kansas Duo Grabs Victory on Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago
In Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Tournament Presented by Mercury Marine
Oshkosh, WI — In a tough full-field tournament of 220 teams, many of whom considered Lake Winnebago their home waters, the team traveling the farthest waltzed into town and snatched away a victory. Steve Stein and Kenny Ludwig from Leavenworth, Kansas captured the two-day tournament win with the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit. The team weighed in two consistent five-fish limit days, totaling 26.57 pounds to cash the $28,512 first place prize. This was the team’s first MWC circuit victory; however, they had won the Cabela’s National Team Championship in 2002.
“It has been several years since we’ve pulled out a win,” shared Kenny Ludwig. “It feels good to get another one again….and especially good to get an MWC circuit win.” Partner Steve Stein shared similar sentiments. “We’ve put on a lot of miles the last three years with the MWC, driving from Kansas to fish tournaments in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and even New York. It is such a great feeling to get a circuit victory,” shared Stein. The winners also received the Ranger Cup bonus of $1000 as the top finishing team in the Ranger Cup competition.
The winning technique was trolling with boards and crawler harnesses. They used mostly gold and silver #4 spinners set back 40-50 feet with ½ to ¾ ounce weights placed 7 to 8 feet in front of the hook. They worked off Bing Lake Point out in the mud in 17 to 18 feet of water. The key was super slow presentation, only 1.0 to 1.1 miles per hour.
Successful walleye tournament anglers Tom Keenan (Hatley) and Dean Arnoldussen (Appleton) paired up for the team tournament format of the Cabela’s MWC. The two usually fish more pro-co tournaments, so this format put them in the boat as teammates, rather than competitors. Tom Keenan shared, “I had never fished with Dean before. We’ve been friends forever – but I had never spent a day in the boat with him until this tournament. We had a blast – it has been a lot of fun.”
Keenan and Arnoldussen didn’t catch any fish on their first two spots on Saturday; however, within 20 minutes at their third spot at Long Point, they netted an 18, 20, and a 25 inch fish. That basket put them in first place, and while they brought in a limit on Sunday, their five-fish basket weighed in at 9.86 pounds, just 1.3 pounds shy for the win. The second place winners cashed out at $13,200.
The top 35 teams shared the $107,014 cash purse. An additional $8,424 was paid in big fish prize money. The biggest fish of the tournament was caught by MWC reigning Team of the Year Rick Zachowski of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and his new partner Carl Stepp of South Milwaukee. Their 7.66 pound fish brought $1685 in big fish money.
Tournament Statistics
Number of teams: 220 Number of fish: 1481
Total cash and prizes: $116,438 Total Weight: 2688.15
Water Temp: 74-78 degrees Big Fish: 7.66 pounds
Water level: normal Water Clarity: Clear
Winning Pattern: Trolling spinner rigs with crawler harnesses
Inside tip: Slow trolling speed
The 2005 Team of the Year race continues. A number of teams have fished two division tournaments plus a Challenge tournament, and Randy Carroll and Ed Klein of Illinois are currently in the lead. Wayne Butz and Don Frederick of Wisconsin are not far behind. Gary Gray of Wisconsin and Glenn “Wags” Wangerin of Michigan are fishing the Dunkirk, New York tournament for their Challenge in August. They currently have two tournaments under their belt, but are poised for a run at Team of the Year with Carroll/Klein and Butz/Frederick. Carroll/Klein and Gray/Wangerin are also leading the race for Central Division Team of the Year points.
A few openings remain in the Menominee, Michigan tournament in just three weeks. The current roster is at 202 boats and 220 are allowed.
For more information on tournament openings contact the MWC toll-free at 877-893-7947 or drop an e-mail to [email protected]. Rules and registration forms are available online at http://www.masterswalleyecircuit.com.
2005 Cabela’s MWC Remaining Schedule
MWC Central
Menominee, MI, Bay of Green Bay, July 16 & 17
MWC East
Dunkirk, NY, Lake Erie, August 19-21
In addition to Cabela’s and Mercury Marine, other MWC sponsors include: Ranger Boats, Lindy Legendary Tackle, MotorGuide, Lowrance Electronics, The Outdoor Channel, North American Fishing Club, Salmo Performance Lures, Daiichi Hooks, Panther Marine, Aqua Innovations and Walleye Central.
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