Cabela’s MWC Coming to the Detroit River and Lake Erie April 18-20
OutdoorHub 04.17.14
A high-stakes, big-fish battle of epic proportions will take place when the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit returns to the storied waters of the Detroit River and Western Lake Erie April 18-20.
Headquartered at Trenton, Michigan, the event offers two-person teams the chance to compete for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes in a professionally run format. And because it’s timed to coincide with the spring spawning run, which sees schools of sag-bellied walleyes from across Lake Erie gather within tournament boundaries, it also gives anglers an incredible shot at trophy walleyes.
As a result, competitors routinely cross the Cabela’s MWC stage with insanely heavy baskets. Two-person teams are allowed to weigh five walleyes each of the two tournament days; a third day is set aside in case foul weather forces the cancellation of either of the first two days. At the Circuit’s 2013 Detroit River qualifier, Iowans Marty Stueffen and Carl Holten topped the field with a monstrous 86-pound, 2-ounce total.
Cabela’s MWC payouts are based on the number of teams entered in each event. Plus, the MWC Big Fish Pot, along with sponsor bonuses including Ranger Cup, Berkley Baits, Lowrance Electronics, Optima True Blue and the Zippo Hot Hands Big Fish Award add thousands more to the total. For example, Stueffen and Holten collected more than $20,000 in cash, prizes and contingency bonuses for their 2013 victory.
The public is invited to the weigh-ins, which begin at 4 p.m. daily at scenic Elizabeth Park in Trenton. The Cabela’s MWC, National Professional Anglers Association, Pure Fishing and Zippo Outdoor Brands will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after the first day’s weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rods and reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.
Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2014 trail includes 10 stops spread across seven states in the Walleye Belt. Teams showcase their skills-and sponsor products-at world-class venues such as the Illinois, Detroit and Mississippi rivers, Green Bay, Big Stone Lake, Kinzua Reservoir, Cass Lake and Lake Erie.
Along with great payouts at each event, teams fishing three or more tournaments battle for coveted berths in the 2015 Cabela’s MWC Championship, set for October 2015 on Lake Erie out of Huron, Ohio. Teams fishing at least three qualifiers also compete for Team of the Year awards, including a $25,000 “Living the Dream” sponsorship package, which includes fully paid entries to the Cabela’s National Walleye Trail as a pro and co-angler, use of a 600 series Ranger boat, travel stipends and more.
Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in its 12th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, Ranger Boats, The Walleye Federation and Zippo Outdoor Brands. Associate sponsors include: Berkley Trilene, Church Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, Optima Batteries, Rockstar Hitch Mounted Mud Flaps, T-H Marine and Sea Grant.
Entry fees are $650 per tournament, of which more than 100 percent is returned to anglers at the qualifiers, World Championship and Team of the Year races. Registration closes at 10 a.m. on Monday prior to each tournament. For more information, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.
