Ponca City, Okla.-May 28, 2015-The Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit returns to scenic Kinzua Reservoir out of Bradford, Pennsylvania, for a regular-season qualifying tournament presented by Zippo Outdoors June 19-20.
Launching from Willow Bay Boat Ramp, the event offers two-person teams a variety of fishing options on the river-run impoundment, which is home to Pennsylvania's state record walleye-a 17-pound, 9-ounce behemoth. "A variety of presentations from jigging the trees to pulling crankbaits or spinner rigs should all take fish," says Circuit veteran, Kinzua insider and Zippo Outdoors pro-staffer Doug Yohe.
Indeed, a number of different approaches held water at last season's Kinzua MWC tournament. In the end, Pennsylvania's Chuck Sabatose and Frank Mausser racked up an impressive 20-pound two-day total to claim top honors by trolling Berkley Flicker Shads on leadcore line at speeds of 1.7 to 2.2 mph over rock piles and stump patches in depths of 16 to 36 feet.
Besides a shot at great fishing and the thrill of competition, the Cabela's MWC offers lucrative payouts. In 2014 the Circuit rewarded anglers with a total payback of more than 127 percent. Payouts are based on the number of teams entered in each event. Plus, the MWC Big Fish Pot and sponsor bonuses from Ranger, Lowrance, Abu Garcia, Zippo Outdoor Brands and Okuma add thousands more to the total.
As an added 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. And new for 2015, the creation of an option pot adds even more chances to cash in. At the recent Big Stone Lake qualifier, for example, tournament champions Dan Sunne and Jim Hartman added $2,800 in option pot cash to their total winnings.
Adding to the excitement, all Cabela's MWC tournaments are designated as "State Championship Qualifying Events." Teams from the state where the event is held are eligible, along with teams from a state not hosting an MWC event in 2015 (provided at least 10 teams from their state are competing in the event). Besides bragging rights, state champions will earn a $1,000 prize package including custom trophies, decals, a berth in the Cabela's NTC, and a spot on the MWC website's Wall of Fame.
Two-person teams will be allowed to weigh five walleyes measuring 15 inches and over each day, and the team with the heaviest two-day total weight will be crowned the winners. Weigh-ins, which are free and open to the public, will be held at the Richard E. & Ruth McDowell Sport & Fitness Center Arena beginning at 3 p.m. daily. As a bonus to budding tournament fans, the Cabela's MWC, National Professional Anglers Association, Pure Fishing and Zippo Outdoor Brands 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.
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 Kinzua Reservoir tournament is Monday, June 15th.
Cabela's, the World's Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in its 14th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Abu Garcia, Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats, The Walleye Federation and Zippo Outdoor Brands. Associate sponsors include: Yellow Bird Fishing Products, Okuma, T-H Marine and Tight Lines Jewelry. For more information, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.
