Lorain, Ohio—May 9th, 2024— The 287 teams from 19 states at the 2024 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Team Championship (NTC) will have to wait one more day to begin their quest to be crowed champion. With observed unsafe wind speeds, direction and wave conditions expected to be up to 5-7 feet today the decision was made to cancel Day 1 and anglers will not be allowed on the tournament waters, today, Thursday May 9. All anglers were notified at the tournament rules briefing Wednesday evening at Black River Landing, in Lorain, OH that if such a call had to be made, the full field would then fish the remaining days Friday and the final day, Saturday.
Having monitored the expected weather outlook, real time conditions and conferring with emergency services and local experts, NTC Tournament Director Jeff Kelm said it’s the right call to make. “The teams that make it this far by qualifying through TWF club events for the NTC come ready to compete, but the safety of the anglers must come first and sometimes mother nature wins.”
Takeoff is planned as scheduled for Friday, May 10, 7:00am ET at Black River Landing with weigh-ins beginning at 3:00pm ET in the same location.
The Walleye Federation, based in Ponca City, Oklahoma, manages the qualifying process via TWF sanctioned walleye clubs all across the US and Canada and co-produces the event alongside the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Marketing Sponsorship Team. Qualifying is going on now, for details on how to earn a spot in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s NTC or to get your walleye club signed up. Visit walleyefederation.com, or call (580)765-903
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