FULL Field To Compete In 2017 Cabela’s National Team Championship June 8-10 On Lake Erie

Presented by Cabela’s

Ponca City, Okla.—May 10, 2017—The largest stand-alone NTC field in more than a decade will compete in the 2017 Cabela’s National Team Championship (NTC) June 8-10 on Lake Erie out of Lorain, Ohio. Considered the pinnacle of grassroots walleye tournament fishing, the event will feature 502 of North America’s top walleye anglers fishing in two-person teams for top honors and more than a quarter of a million dollars in cash and prizes.

The Cabela’s NTC annually draws hundreds of anglers from across the U.S. and Canada, who qualified for the event through local competitions sanctioned by The Walleye Federation (TWF), but this year’s contingent is one of the largest stand-alone NTC field ever assembled at 251 teams.

The high-stakes championship offers a lucrative payout, with a payback of nearly 400 percent on entry fees. Anglers will fish for a minimum of $256,040 in cash and prizes, plus 50 custom Cabela’s All-American rings, trophies, travel stipends, plaques and more.

Last season’s Cabela’s NTC winners Adam Adler and Ryan Dempsey earned more than $165,000 including $25,000 in first-place cash plus a brand-new, Evinrude-powered Ranger boat rigged with a Power-Pole shallow–water anchor. They also claimed a second Ranger-Evinrude-Power-Pole combo for winning the Ranger Cup contingency.

Along with big winnings, the event offers anglers a chance to experience some of the continent’s finest walleye fishing. The early June timeframe coincides with the east-bound migration of massive schools of trophy walleyes weighing 10 pounds and up.

Biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources report the big lake’s walleye population is in above-average health, which means NTC anglers can expect great fishing on a variety of open-water presentations including trolling spinner harnesses and crankbaits.

Not surprisingly, many qualifying anglers are anxiously awaiting the action. “We’re pumped up about fishing the Cabela’s NTC,” said Jason Zsebik, who along with teammate Timothy Johnson earned a coveted championship berth by winning the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s June 2016 tournament on Lake Erie.

Zsebik and Johnson, of Vermilion, Ohio, won the Cabela’s MWC event with a 10-fish, two-day catch that weighed a whopping 84 pounds, 11 ounces. The pair says Lake Erie could produce even heavier stringers during the 2017 NTC.

“This is definitely the best trophy walleye fishery I’ve ever seen,” said Johnson. “It’s definitely worth the trip for anyone who hasn’t experienced it before.”

Cabela’s NTC anglers and their families can also expect a warm welcome from the fishing-friendly local community and official event hosts at Lorain County, the city of Lorain and the Lorain Port Authority.

Cabela’s NTC Timeline
The entire field will compete the first two days. Each team will be allowed to bring their best five fish to the scale each day. Competition will be fierce, as only the top 25 teams advance to the final round on day three.

Take-offs will be held at the Black River Wharf Boat Launch in Lorain, beginning at 7 a.m. or first safe light. Fans are invited to the launch to cheer on their favorite teams each morning. Weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m. daily at the Black River Landing, and should provide spectators with a steady stream of trophy Lake Erie walleyes, plus all the drama and excitement of hundreds of teams fighting for the national championship.

For those unable to attend, weigh-ins will be streamed live online at walleyefederation.com, and filmed for national television on “Americana Outdoors” on NBC Sports, the Pursuit Channel and other regional networks. Dates and airtimes will be announced at walleyefederation.com.

Cabela’s NTC sponsors include Cabela’s, Ranger Boats, Pepsi, Evinrude, Ram, Geico, Power-Pole, Lorain County, city of Lorain and Lorain Port Authority, and TWF.

Based in Ponca City, Oklahoma, The Walleye Federation manages the qualifying process and co-produces the event alongside the Cabela’s Corporate Brand Partnership Team.

Qualifying for the 2018 Cabela’s NTC on the Mississippi River at Moline, Ill., is now under way. For details, visit walleyefederation.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Returns To Big Stone Lake
For High Stakes Border Battle April 28-29

Presented by Lowrance

Ponca City, Okla.—April 17, 2017—Competitive walleye anglers from across the Midwest will converge on Big Stone Lake April 28-29 to enjoy great fishing and test their skills the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s third qualifying tournament of the season.

Spanning nearly 12,000 acres, the border water between Minnesota and South Dakota has long been a favorite destination for MWC anglers—and for good reason. A variety of fishing techniques produce walleye gold here, including pitching jigs, spinner rigging, trolling crankbaits and slip-bobber fishing. Plus, Department of Natural Resources’ fisheries surveys reveal Big Stone’s walleye population is in excellent shape, with a wide range of fish sizes present from 15-inch eaters to trophies topping 28 inches.

The tournament’s late-April timing coincides with great fishing on Big Stone. Walleye fans can expect to see a parade of 5-fish daily limits cross the stage at scenic Lakeside Park in downtown Ortonville, Minnesota, during the two-day event presented by Lowrance Electronics.

The stakes are high, thanks to the Cabela’s MWC’s lucrative payouts—which are based on the number of teams entered in each event. The MWC Big Fish Pot, MWC option pot payouts, and sponsor bonuses including Ranger Cup, Lowrance Electronics, Okuma and AirWave add thousands more to the total. Plus, the first-place team will win a $1,000 Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package including paid NTC entry, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques. Such winnings add up in a hurry. At the 2016 Big Stone MWC, for example, winners Artie and Tanner Arndt took home more than $13,500 in cash and prizes.

Weigh-ins are free, open to the public and begin at 3 p.m. As a bonus to budding tournament fans, the Cabela’s MWC and National Professional Anglers Association will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after the day-one weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rod-and-reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.

Along with great payouts at each MWC event, teams fishing three or more tournaments in 2017 will battle

for coveted berths in the 2018 Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship, set for October 2018 on Lake Michigan’s Bays de Noc out of Escanaba, Michigan. Teams fishing at least four qualifiers compete for Team of the Year awards, including a $10,000 sponsorship package and thousands more in cash and Cabela’s Cash cards, as well as fully paid entries into a full season of great walleye action.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from

all walks of life. Deadline to register for the Big Stone Lake tournament is Monday, April 24 at 4 p.m.

The 2017 schedule includes seven qualifiers in five states on a diverse selection of rivers, inland lakes and Great Lakes fisheries representing North America’s top walleye destinations.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in its 16th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, Bagley Baits, Church Tackle, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For more information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

Additionally, the Big Stone event is supported annually by:

Ponca City, Okla.—March 20, 2017—After an exciting season opener on the Illinois River March 17-18 out of Spring Valley, Illinois, which saw great fishing, hefty payouts and a white-knuckle, come-from-behind victory, the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit follows up by heading to what is arguably the world’s best early spring fishery for trophy-class walleyes—the mighty Detroit River.

Set for April 7-8 out of scenic Elizabeth Park in Trenton, Michigan, the regular-season qualifying event presented by Ranger Boats offers two-person teams two full days of competition on the U.S. and Canadian sides of the 32-mile waterway, along with their choice of downstream hotspots on legendary Lake Erie.

The tournament coincides with the spring spawning run of Lake Erie walleyes, giving MWC anglers excellent opportunities to catch trophy walleyes ranging from 10 to over 14 pounds. For example, at the 2016 Cabela’s MWC Detroit River tournament, Mitch Dougherty and Dan Stier topped the field with an impressive 85-pound, 13-ounce two-day, 10-fish tally. And in 2015, winners Steve and Dan Bodinger sacked a two-day, 10-fish MWC limit weighing an incredible 90 pounds, 11 ounces, to break the circuit’s all-time two-day basket record of 87 pounds, 3 ounces.

2016 Detroit River winners Mitch Dougherty & Dan Stier

As a bonus, a variety of tactics produce monster walleyes at this event. Dougherty and Stier trolled diving crankbaits in 38 feet of water in Lake Erie in 2016, while the Bodinger brothers fished heavy jigs tipped with shad-tailed softbaits in 22 to 25 feet of water along a rocky straightaway on the Canadian side of the river to win in 2015.

“If you like catching big walleyes and enjoy the thrill of competition with a chance to win thousands in cash and prizes, this is a must-fish event,” says MWC Tournament Director Jack Baker.

Indeed, the Cabela’s MWC’s lucrative payouts provide even more inspiration to join the fun. Payouts are based on the number of teams entered in each event. Plus, the MWC Big Fish Pot, MWC option pot payouts, and sponsor bonuses including Ranger Cup, Lowrance Electronics, Okuma and AirWave add thousands more to the total. Plus, the first-place team will win a $1,000 Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package including paid NTC entry, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques. Such winnings add up in a hurry. In 2016, for example, Dougherty and Stier collected a grand total of $20,670.

Boat inspections, take-offs and weigh-ins will be held at Elizabeth Park. Teams will be allowed to weigh five fish measuring 15 inches and over each day, and the team with the heaviest two-day total weight will be crowned the tournament champions.

Weigh-ins are free, open to the public and begin at 3 p.m. As a bonus to budding tournament fans, the Cabela’s MWC and National Professional Anglers Association will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after the day-one weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rod-and-reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.

Along with great payouts at each MWC event, teams fishing three or more tournaments in 2017 will battle for coveted berths in the 2018 Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship, set for October 2018 on Lake Michigan’s Bays de Noc out of Escanaba, Michigan. Teams fishing at least four qualifiers compete for Team of the Year awards, including a $10,000 sponsorship package and thousands more in cash and Cabela’s Cash cards, as well as fully paid entries into a full season of great walleye action.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. Deadline to register for the Detroit River tournament is Monday, April 3 at 4 p.m.

The 2017 schedule includes seven qualifiers in five states and includes a diverse selection of rivers, inland lakes and Great Lakes fisheries representing North America’s top walleye destinations.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering its 16th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, Bagley Baits, Church Tackle, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For more information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

###

REGISTRATION CLOSES MONDAY MARCH 13

Ponca City, Okla.—March 3, 2017—The fish-rich, swirling currents of the Illinois River at Spring Valley, Illinois, will once again be the stage for another Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit regular season opener.

Set for March 17-18 out of the Spring Valley Boat Club, the qualifying tournament offers two-person teams the opportunity to compete for thousands in cash and prizes in the MWC’s professionally run format, which has stood the test of time since 1984.

The tournament is also timed to coincide with great fishing on the legendary waterway, and MWC Tournament Director Jack Baker expects a stellar bite. “I’m excited,” he says. “The river was already producing great fishing until a major storm hit. Water levels are on their way down again and barring any more storming, the locals say it will be clear and in great shape for the tournament.”

The event marks Baker’s debut at the MWC helm. He replaced retiring director Dan Palmer earlier in 2017 and is eagerly anticipating the circuit’s regular season kick-off, which has become a rite of spring for walleye anglers from across the Midwest. “I’m looking forward to carrying on the rich MWC tradition,” he says.

The Illinois River is flush with saugers and offers ample chances at walleyes as well, giving MWC anglers plenty of options in location and presentation. Over the years, a variety of tactics from vertical jigging to trolling jerkbaits have taken top honors. In 2016, Joe Perez and Troy Tregoning won the event fishing jigs and floater rigs in a shallow-water riprap area that had the right combination of current and baitfish.

The Cabela’s MWC offers lucrative payouts, which are based on the number of teams entered in each event. Plus, the MWC Big Fish Pot, MWC side pot payouts, along with sponsor bonuses including Ranger Cup, Lowrance Electronics, Okuma and AirWave add thousands more to the total. As an extra incentive, the first-place team will win a $1,000 Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package including paid NTC entry, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques.

Inspections and weigh-ins will be held at the Spring Valley Boat Club. Teams will be allowed to weigh five walleyes, saugers or saugeyes measuring 14 inches and over each day in the circuit’s catch-and-release format. As part of its ongoing support for fisheries conservation, the MWC is assisting Illinois Department of Natural Resources through this event. DNR biologists will be on site collecting fish caught during the tournament for stocking programs that benefit anglers on the Illinois River and across the state.

Weigh-ins are free, open to the public and begin at 4 p.m. As a bonus to budding tournament fans, the Cabela’s MWC, National Professional Anglers Association will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after the day-one weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rods and reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.

Adding to the excitement at Spring Valley, the MWC will announce the dates and location of the 2018 Cabela’s National Team Championship. The Cabela’s NTC is widely considered the walleye world’s premier grassroots championship. It is comprised of teams that qualify through local tournaments organized by walleye clubs sanctioned by The Walleye Federation (TWF), and annually draws hundreds of avid walleye anglers from across the U.S. and Canada.

Along with great payouts at each MWC event, teams fishing three or more tournaments in 2017 will battle for coveted berths in the 2018 Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship, set for October 2018 on Lake Michigan’s Bays de Noc out of Escanaba, Michigan. Teams fishing at least four qualifiers compete for Team of the Year awards, including a $10,000 sponsorship package and thousands more in cash and Cabela’s Cash cards, as well as fully paid entries into a full season of great walleye action.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. Deadline to register for the Illinois River tournament is Monday, March 13 at 4 p.m.

The 2017 schedule includes seven qualifiers in five states and includes a diverse selection of rivers, inland lakes and Great Lakes fisheries representing North America’s top walleye destinations.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering its 16th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, Bagley Baits, Church Tackle, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For more information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

###