Cabelas Masters Walleye Circuit World Walleye Championship Oct. 13-16 on Pools 9 and 10 of the Mississippi River
Category: npaa
Oct 6th, 2010 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Oct 6th, 2010 at 12:00 AM
October 6, 2010-MINNETONKA, MN-After an exciting season spanning three divisions, six states and millions of acres of prime walleye water, all eyes will be on Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, for the grand finale of the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit season-the 2010 World Walleye Championship.
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Slated for Oct. 13-16 on Pools 9 and 10 of the Mississippi River, the Championship will see 28 elite two-person teams from 13 states compete for more than $100,000 in prize money. First place pays $25,000 in cash, and the field will share a $101,500 cash purse, plus another $2,700 in sponsor contingencies-including Cabela’s Angler Cash, Ranger Cup, Lowrance HDS, and U2 the Oxygenator-and up to $1,400 in big-fish pot awards.
Teams qualified for the 2010 World Walleye Championship by earning points throughout the 2009 Cabela’s MWC season at destinations from Devils Lake, North Dakota to Dunkirk, New York. Each spot in the field is by invitation-only, carries no entry fee, and is coveted amongst tournament anglers.
Rich in fishing talent, the field is led by 2009 MWC Champions and Team of the Year Matt Davis, of Marion, Ohio, and Dan Gies, of Huron, Ohio. “So many great anglers have been a part of the MWC’s rich history that competing in a Championship is both an exciting experience and an honor-and doing so as the reigning champions is awesome,” said Davis.
The Championship returns to Prairie du Chien for the first season since 2006-where it ran for five consecutive seasons starting in 2002-and if past history is any indication, it could take more than 55 pounds in total weight to win this prestigious event. With the mighty Mississippi receding from flood levels, anglers will have a wealth of walleye options to pursue in the big river’s sloughs, back channels, wing dams and other fish-holding structure.
A special Pro-Am event kicks off the festivities on Wed., Oct. 13, featuring local dignitaries, MWC sponsors and media personalities paired with MWC teams, competing for prizes in a number of categories including largest walleye, smallest fish and biggest non-game species. A special raffle for free spots in the Pro-Am’s Amateur division will be held in the Cabela’s store’s fishing department Tuesday, Oct. 12-customers interested in fishing the Pro-Am may sign up for the raffle beginning at 3 p.m. Call Randy Christensen at Cabela’s at (608) 326-5637 for details.
Championship qualifiers will compete the following three days for the largest total weight. Teams are allowed to bring five walleyes, saugers or saugeyes to the MWC scale each day, and the fish will be released back into the Mississippi River.
Weigh-ins all four days begin at 4 p.m. at Winneshiek Marina just north of Prairie du Chien, and are free and open to the public. Each day, raffles will be held for free Cabela’s gift cards and other fine prizes. Immediately following Friday’s weigh-in, kids are invited to attend a free Youth and Family Fishing Clinic presented by Cabela’s, the MWC and the National Professional Anglers Association. The clinic will be held at the MWC tent outside the Cabela’s store, where the first 50 kids will receive a new rod-and-reel combo, plus a free tackle kit courtesy of Northland Fishing Tackle. In addition, MWC anglers will teach the youngsters how to tie a slip bobber rig, and will assist them in getting their new rods ready for fishing. There will also be a special raffle for a Cabela’s rod and reel outfit, donated by Cabela’s.
Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering their nineth season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors of the MWC include: Berkley, Ranger Boats, Mercury, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Fishouflage, Versus (Vs.) Television Network and North American Fishing Club. Associate Sponsors include: O2 Marine Technologies, 3-IN-ONE No Rust Shield, Abu Garcia, Fin-tech, Northland Fishing Tackle, Ryjus, Reflections, Sea Grant and Wildlife Forever.
The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is the longest running professional walleye tournament circuit in the United States. For more information on the Cabela’s MWC, visit: www.masterswalleyecircuit.com; email: [email protected]; or call: (877) 893-7947.