For Immediate Release For More Information Contact:
Kristine Houtman, 612-710-5584
Cabela’s MWC moves back to Central Division on the Bays de Noc in Michigan –
presented by Mercury Motors
Minnetonka, MN – Couple a 200 field tournament with big waters and big fish and what do you get? You get the next stop on the Cabela’s MWC Central, a big event slated for June 24th and 25th out of Gladstone, Michigan. The second stop in the MWC Central tournament, sponsored by Mercury Motors, will showcase some of the best walleye teams in the country. 2006 marks the largest MWC tournament roster in recent years at Bays de Noc. Anglers will travel from as far away as Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland and Pennsylvania, with the majority of anglers originating from Wisconsin and Michigan.
With just a few weeks to go before tournament time, 197 teams are registered for the event in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The MWC considers 200 boats a full field; although, rules allow up to 10% over-booking; maxing the field at 220 teams. Within 30 days of the tournament date, any new entries will need to pay the $600 entry fee plus a $40 late fee. On Sunday, June 11th the late fees went up to $100, and on Sunday, June 18th the late fee will go up to $500. Teams still wanting to get in should submit their entries right away. Entry forms can be located on the MWC website at http://www.masterswalleyecircuitcom and faxed into Club headquarters at (952) 988-7250 while space remains.
Title sponsor for this tournament is Mercury Motors, the world leader in recreational marine propulsion. It designs, manufactures and markets outboards from 2.5 to 300 horsepower and sterndrives and inboards from 130 to 1,075 horsepower, plus a full complement of parts and accessories, oils and lubes, and industry-leading propellers. Mercury is the preferred power of walleye anglers everywhere with power options from its small and mid-range FourStrokes to its award-winning OptiMax family to the legendary supercharged FourStroke Verado. Mercury also builds a 9.9 FourStroke Pro Kicker, which has quickly become the gold standard for trolling. Mercury will provide technical service support for the tournament anglers.
Based on 197 teams the first place prize money will be $25,532; paying out 34 places to the field totaling $95,234. Additionally, sponsor prizes and bonus money will be paid accordingly:
Ranger Boats Ranger Cup: Top finishing Ranger Cup Boat owners receive $1,000
Tommy Docks Comeback Award: For the team that moves up the most from day 1 to day 2 — $500
Ice Armor: Two new Ice Armor outwear gear suits; plus if the lucky team that is drawn for the new suits wins the tournament; $1000 bonus.
Lindy Drift Control Award: $200 cash plus two new Lindy Drift Control socks for the team that finishes the highest and uses any drift sock during the tournament.
Food Source Lures & Cabela’s have onsite games that anglers and fans can win cool prizes including cash and Cabela’s gift cards.
The Inhibitor Tough Times Award: $100 bonus to the team that weighs the smallest basket of fish (but not a zero.)
Panther Marine Tech: $100 cash bonus for top finishing team with Panther or ElectroSteer products
The communities of Gladstone and Escanaba and surrounding areas are sure to turn out in full force to watch the weigh-ins on Saturday and Sunday afternoon – beginning at 2:30 pm. The MWC has a long history of rotating Bays de Noc into the seasonal schedule; and the community looks forward to the event returning to Delta County. “This tournament has a great amount of economic impact for our area businesses” shared Vickie Micheau, Executive Director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce. Micheau, along with Steve Masters, Director of the Bays de Noc Convention and Visitors Bureau, are site coordinators for the event, organizing the onsite logistics and the team of volunteers. “The Great Lakes Sport Fishing Club and the Chamber and CVB businesses volunteer their time from set-up to tear down and everything in between to assist the MWC when they are in town.” shared Masters. “The community loves having the anglers here and showcasing this great fishery that we have in our back yard year-round. The Gladstone Crazy Daze will be held simultaneously with the tournament, hosting sidewalk sales and special events for the whole family.”
Openings exist in future MWC tournaments. For more information go to http://www.masterswalleyecircuitcom or call the MWC office at 877-893-7947.
Remaining 2006 Schedule
Central Division
June 24/25 – Escanaba, MI – Bays de Noc
Sept 16/17 – Lake City, MN — Mississippi River
East Division
August 19/20 – Linwood, MI – Saginaw Bay
Exhibition Tournament
July 15/16 – Spirit Lake, ND – Devils Lake
World Walleye Championship
October 4-7 – Prairie du Chien, WI – Mississippi River
Cabela’s is the title sponsor for the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official Sponsors are Mercury Motors, Outdoor Life Network (OLN), Ranger Boats, MotorGuide, Lindy Legendary Tackle, Lowrance Electronics and the North American Fishing Club. Associate sponsors are Salmo Performance Lures, Panther Marine-Tech Products, Tommy Docks, The Inhibitor, Food Source Lures, Ice Armor, Pennzoil Marine, Farm and City Insurance Services and Walleye Central.
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