2008 Walleye Season Kicks off with MWC in Spring Valley
Category: Tournament
Mar 11th, 2008 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Mar 11th, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Minnetonka, MN — The 2008 professional walleye tournament season will be underway shortly with the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC), March 29th and 30th on the Illinois River. Currently 153 teams are signed up to compete for over $85,000 in tournament winnings, plus over $3,000 in bonus contingency money. This marks the 22nd consecutive year that the MWC has launched the season in the sauger capital of the world – Spring Valley, Illinois.Still in the consciousness of many anglers from last year – flood conditions — are once again a worry due to the heavy snowfall over the winter and the pending spring thaw. Three weeks out the river is currently at flood stage.”It’s just not uncommon for the Illinois River to be at high water in March,” shared Mickey Stuefen. Mickey and his brother Marty, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were the lucky winners last year with the largest of only four sauger caught during the one day shoot out. “That river is easily fishable in high water conditions. I just hope it doesn’t change either up or down too drastically the week of the tournament. If something consistent will hold, the fish will bite.” The Stuefen brothers cashed over $60,000 between the tournament’s first place purse, big fish pot and Ranger Cup contingency money. Based on today’s field size 26 teams will be paid out a total of $85,680 with $23,080 for first place. “That’s still a real nice payout,” added Stuefen. “And 153 boats in the field is a good sized field considering how gas prices are making it hard on everyone these days.”The Stuefens will check their best spots during the pre-fishing days before the tournament. They look for structure and where the fish are holding. “We tend to do well on river tournaments, with a 17th at Spring Valley in 2006 and then first place last year. We also were 9th at the Cabela’s National Team Championship in 2003 and 3rd in 2005 – all river bites. The lakes give us a bit of trouble figuring out.”Many Great Lakes fishermen will be scratching their heads wondering why a big national circuit like the MWC comes to a notoriously dirty, oft-flooded spot on a relatively small river for sauger. A big fish at Spring Valley is 5 to 6 pounds. That’s the cookie cutter walleyes on the Great Lakes where 10 to 12 pounders catapult one from amongst the masses to winning a tournament. But there is a magic in the air with this tournament that is not easily found in other places. What makes it so appealing? “Where else can a walleye guy fish in March without cutting a hole through the ice?” asked Larry Keller of Neshkoro, Wisconsin. He and his partner Chad Kropp, also of Neshkoro, took first place at Spring Valley in 2006, and have had other top five finishes on the Illinois River. “Spring Valley is steeped in tradition. There’s something special about getting the boat out and ready for another tournament season while there’s still snow on the ground in Wisconsin. The town people are always so excited to see us arrive. They roll out the red carpet with all their hospitality.”Kim “Chief” Papineau of Escanaba, Michigan agrees. “Traditionally, Spring Valley is the first tournament of the year and that is a big deal. I just love meeting up with all our friends in fishing that we haven’t seen since last season. It is a good-times tournament.” Papineau and his partner Jay Janny of Eagle, Wisconsin, have been paired up for a lot of years on the Illinois River. “We’ve had 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th place finishes there, not in that order,” shared Chief. “This year I really want a 1st place finish.”Regardless of first place finish or not – a number of MWC sponsors have added contingency bonuses into the program. These pay out for the top finishing team in their category – whether it is a win, 10th place or 100th place!
Toyota Tundra – $1,000 bonus for the top finishing team towing their boat with a Toyota Tundra Ranger Cup – $1,000 bonus for the top finishing team in Ranger Boat’s Ranger Cup owners program. Mercury – $500 bonus for the top finishing team in a Ranger/Mercury combination FCIS – $250 bonus for the top finishing team on Team FCIS NPAA – $200 bonus for the top finishing two NPAA members ($100 each) Oxygenator – $200 bonus for the top finishing team with an Oxygenator system in their livewell (must complete an entry form prior to the tournament completion)
Cabela’s, the world’s foremost outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering their sixth season as the title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include Toyota Tundra, Ranger Boats, Mercury, MotorGuide, Versus (Vs.) Television Network and North American Fishing Club. Associate sponsors are Farm & City Insurance Services, The Inhibitor, O2 Oxygenator, Sticker Dude.On Saturday the MWC and NPAA will co-host a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic. Kids are invited to come down to watch the weigh-in and immediately following the anglers will host a clinic teaching the kids to rig up their very own fishing rod and reel. “Our sponsors have graciously donated funds so that we can bring rods, reels and tackle boxes for the kids,” shared Frank Pilney, NPAA #920 that has organized the clinics. “We teach the kids – and their parents – the basics with the hope that the whole family will learn to enjoy fishing.”For more information please contact MWC headquarters at 877-893-7947 or by email at: [email protected].