Cabela’s NABC opener on Little Sturgeon Bay May 10
Category: press release
Apr 30th, 2015 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Apr 30th, 2015 at 12:00 AM
Midwest bass fans have a shot at great team-format tournament action and thousands in cash and prizes when the Cabela’s North American Bass Circuit kicks off its 2015 season on Wisconsin’s legendary Sturgeon Bay of Lake Michigan May 10.
The event offers a single day of competition on the world-renowned smallmouth bass fishery, which is widely regarded as one of the planet’s premier bronzeback destinations. Bass topping 5 pounds are common, and monsters over 7-even 8 pounds-are caught every year during this time frame.
Given the tournament’s timing and the health of the bass population, NABC competitors can expect incredible action. For example, at last year’s Sturgeon Bay qualifier, Wisconsin’s Jason Stangel and Chris Cox put together a record-setting five-bass limit weighing 30 pounds to win the event and claim victory-which was worth more than $11,000 in cash and prizes.
Besides great fishing, competitors will vie for serious cash and bragging rights. Cabela’s NABC payouts are based on the number of teams entered in each event. Qualifying tournaments with 75 teams or more offer a guaranteed first-place cash purse of $10,000 plus additional payout to the top 20 percent of the field. Plus, the NABC Big Bass Pot, along with sponsor contingencies including Ranger Cup, Stratos 2X and Garmin Grand Giveaway add thousands in cash to the total.
Teams competing in multiple events can reap even greater rewards. Those fishing at least three NABC tournaments have a shot at qualifying for the prestigious, high-stakes championship, which offers $15,000 for first place and $10,000 for second, based on full fields at the qualifiers and championship. Team of the Year titles will also be awarded to the top five teams, led by a $3,600 prize package for the overall Team of the Year, which includes paid entry fees to all four 2016 qualifiers and the 2015 championship, $1,000 Cabela’s in gift cards and handsome trophies.
Bass fans of all ages are invited to watch the Sturgeon Bay action unfold, see trophy smallmouth bass firsthand and hear competitors’ top bass fishing tricks at the weigh-in, which is free, open to the public, and held at Wave Point Marina.
This is the first of four NABC regular-season qualifiers of 2015. The remaining schedule includes Lake Wisconsin, June 6; Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, July 11; and Lake Vermillion, Minnesota, August 15. The NABC Championship is set for Sept. 19-20 on Minnesota’s Lake Minnetonka.
Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in its fifth season as title sponsor of the NABC. Other sponsors include: Ranger Boats, Stratos Boats, Mercury Marine, Garmin, MotorGuide, G-Juice and T-H Marine.
Based in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the Cabela’s NABC is open to two-person teams regardless of club or sponsor affiliation. Entry fees are $500 per regular season tournament and $600 for the two-day championship. The Circuit offered more than 100 percent payback to anglers in 2014 and will do so again in 2015. In addition, a small donation is included in each entry fee and matched by NABC and other conservation organizations up to 3-to-1 in support bass conservation projects anywhere the NABC does business.
Registration normally closes at 10 a.m. on Monday prior to each tournament. However, to accommodate anglers fishing a separate event on Saturday, a late registration will be allowed for the Sturgeon Bay qualifier. For more information, visit northamericanbasscircuit.com, email [email protected]