03-04-2004, 02:14 AM
MINNETONKA, MN--The Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit's 20th season is off to a flying start! A record 134 entries (teams entering all three tournaments within a division) were received during the January MWC early bird registration period; 123 in the established Central division and 11 in the newly created Eastern division.
Tournament fields are restricted to a maximum of 220 teams, and due to the high early bird response, only 96 openings remained for regular central division tournament entries, which began February 2 for both divisions.
Kristine Houtman, MWC Events Director, attributes the circuit's popularity to fulfilling the needs of its anglers.
"The anglers are really excited about the upcoming season," Houtman said. "Having only three division tournaments reduces travel time and expenses, but if a team wishes to fish more tournaments, they can. The addition of the MWC Challenge allows MWCers the opportunity to win more money and there are more chances to qualify for the World Walleye Championship. They can't wait to get started!"
This year, MWC teams have the opportunity to compete in two divisions. Houtman says the addition of the east division brings new waters, anglers and fresh ideas into the mix.
The monetary awards for competing are great. There's an 80 percent guaranteed payback from every $600 team entry fee, which represents the highest percentage payback of any circuit. Based upon 200 team fields, anglers will be competing for more than $650,000 in cash and prizes, plus an additional $100,000 in Cabela's MWC World Walleye Championship prize money. The top 10 percent of each division advances to the championship. Each division's Team of the Year winners will receive trophies, rings and the Division Team of the Year cash purse. A portion of the purse will be distributed to the second through fifth place teams.
If a team fishes a complete division, they become eligible to take the MWC Challenge. The MWC Challenge offers a purse of $20,000-65 percent to the overall MWC Team of the Year, with the remaining purse distributed to the second through fifth place teams. Twenty percent of the MWC Challenge teams will advance to the championship. The challenge is to fish the fourth tournament. More than 70 teams have already entered the Challenge, with the majority opting to fish the Saginaw Bay tournament.
To order a MWC brochure, with entry forms and rules, or to learn more about the circuit, call (877) 893-7947, or visit: [url "http://www.masterswalleyecircuit.com/"][#0000ff]www.masterswalleyecircuit.com[/#0000ff][/url].
In addition to Cabela's, MWC sponsors include-Lindy Legendary Tackle, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, North American Fishing Club, Ranger Boats, Smithwick Lures, Cotton Cordell, The Outdoor Channel, MotorGuide, Daiichi Hooks, Panther Marine, Lure Eyes, Xtreme Sports and WalleyeCentral.com.
MWC Central
Spring Valley, IL, Illinois River, March 27-28
Oshkosh, WI, Lake Winnebago, June 26-27
Walker, MN, Leech Lake, Sept. 18-19
MWC East
Henderson Harbor, NY, Lake Ontario, May 22-23
Jamestown, NY, Lake Chautauqua, July 17-18
Linwood, MI, Saginaw Bay, August 7-8
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Tournament fields are restricted to a maximum of 220 teams, and due to the high early bird response, only 96 openings remained for regular central division tournament entries, which began February 2 for both divisions.
Kristine Houtman, MWC Events Director, attributes the circuit's popularity to fulfilling the needs of its anglers.
"The anglers are really excited about the upcoming season," Houtman said. "Having only three division tournaments reduces travel time and expenses, but if a team wishes to fish more tournaments, they can. The addition of the MWC Challenge allows MWCers the opportunity to win more money and there are more chances to qualify for the World Walleye Championship. They can't wait to get started!"
This year, MWC teams have the opportunity to compete in two divisions. Houtman says the addition of the east division brings new waters, anglers and fresh ideas into the mix.
The monetary awards for competing are great. There's an 80 percent guaranteed payback from every $600 team entry fee, which represents the highest percentage payback of any circuit. Based upon 200 team fields, anglers will be competing for more than $650,000 in cash and prizes, plus an additional $100,000 in Cabela's MWC World Walleye Championship prize money. The top 10 percent of each division advances to the championship. Each division's Team of the Year winners will receive trophies, rings and the Division Team of the Year cash purse. A portion of the purse will be distributed to the second through fifth place teams.
If a team fishes a complete division, they become eligible to take the MWC Challenge. The MWC Challenge offers a purse of $20,000-65 percent to the overall MWC Team of the Year, with the remaining purse distributed to the second through fifth place teams. Twenty percent of the MWC Challenge teams will advance to the championship. The challenge is to fish the fourth tournament. More than 70 teams have already entered the Challenge, with the majority opting to fish the Saginaw Bay tournament.
To order a MWC brochure, with entry forms and rules, or to learn more about the circuit, call (877) 893-7947, or visit: [url "http://www.masterswalleyecircuit.com/"][#0000ff]www.masterswalleyecircuit.com[/#0000ff][/url].
In addition to Cabela's, MWC sponsors include-Lindy Legendary Tackle, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, North American Fishing Club, Ranger Boats, Smithwick Lures, Cotton Cordell, The Outdoor Channel, MotorGuide, Daiichi Hooks, Panther Marine, Lure Eyes, Xtreme Sports and WalleyeCentral.com.
MWC Central
Spring Valley, IL, Illinois River, March 27-28
Oshkosh, WI, Lake Winnebago, June 26-27
Walker, MN, Leech Lake, Sept. 18-19
MWC East
Henderson Harbor, NY, Lake Ontario, May 22-23
Jamestown, NY, Lake Chautauqua, July 17-18
Linwood, MI, Saginaw Bay, August 7-8
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