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| Seidl and Knowles Win MWC on Winnebago |
 |  | Seidl and Knowles |
Oshkosh, WI� --� Local Wisconsin anglers Randy Seidl (Appleton) and Joe Knowles (Sherwood) proved that a rookie team can step into a big national tournament like the MWC and grab a win from a spectacular field of competitors!� Seidl and Knowles landed a second best basket on day one, 19.23 pounds, and the third best basket on day two, 18.97 pounds, to capture the lead and win the Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit tournament, June 21st and 22nd on Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh.� This was not only their first circuit victory, but amazingly, their first MWC tournament.� Period.� The duo was as shocked as anyone that they actually were being handed the "big check" on stage for $28,600 when it was all over.� "We sure didn't expect this to happen," shared Randy Seidl.� Joe Knowles chimed in, "It's just unreal. There are a lot of good fishermen in this tournament - and we were fishing with the big boys this time. But hey, we're locals and maybe we had an edge on this one."
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The team trolled cranks between 1.8 and 1.9 mph, 8'-10' down in 15'-16' depth in a three mile stretch from the mouth of the river out near Kalbus reef.� They would make a pass and then if they didn't catch a fish, move over about 500 yards for the next pass.� The key to their success wasn't a particular presentation or just the right lure or equipment - the key was having confidence in their location...and each other.
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"We just didn't give up on our spot," added Seidl.� When the bite slowed down they curbed an itch to take a run someplace else. "We made the right decision to stay.� The old adage is 'don't leave fish to find fish'...so we hung in there and eventually it did come together," added Knowles.
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|  | Balla and Byrne, Team of the Year |
This event marked the last stop in the 2008 season for the Central Division.� John Balla of Bartlett, Illinois and Kevin Byrne of Plainfield, Illinois gathered enough points to jump into the lead (465 points total) to earn the title of Central Division Team of the Year.� Their 7th place finish at this event along with 10th at Green Bay and 19th at Spring Valley made for a very good year - providing a bonus of $5,440 for the honor. The team attributes their success to good chemistry in the boat and solid preparation. "JB and I have been fishing together for a lot of years.� This is a testimony to our level of preparation and adaptability," said Byrne.� How did they prepare differently this year?� More focus was on their own knowledge and what they learned in pre-fishing. They did their own thing and tuned out the chatter.� "We just didn't listen to what everyone else was talking about and did what we felt was right in each event."� It paid off.
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"Kevin and I are very happy and very proud of this prestigious honor," shared Balla.� "This comes after many years of hard work - you just don't win a title like this early on.� You have to learn how to fish different types of waters with different presentations - and get proficient at all of it.� Jigging.� Three-way.� Trolling crank baits or spinners.� Lakes and rivers. All of it."
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Mark Schleis of Denmark, WI and Rob Nickels of Norway, MI captured third place in the tournament worth $6,700 and Rob won the $1,000 bonus for being the top finishing Ranger Cup participant.� Mark also took home additional bonus money by winning the Team FCIS - Farm & City Insurance Services bonus of $250.
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Steve Meyer of Birnamwood, WI and Brian Deffner of Eland, WI came in 21st place with 25.46 pounds paying out $1,500, but added an additional $1,000 to their total by winning the Toyota Tundra bonus.
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The Mercury/Ranger Cup Bonus of $500 went to Scott Allen of Green Bay, WI and Dennis Butz of Suamico, WI.� They finished in 23rd place with 25.12 pounds.
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The National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) awarded its top two finishing anglers with $100 each, which went to Vince Raimondi of Hoffman Estates, IL & Doug Larsen of Westmont, IL for their 28th place finish.
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Along with his teams 1st place victory, Randy Seidl also took home the $200 Oxygenator Bonus given to the highest placing team with an O2 Marine Oxygenator in their livewell.
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Big Fish honors for the tournament were awarded accordingly totaling $7,800:
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Saturday
Randy Mulder of Waupun, WI & Paul Ferch of Brandon, WI - 7.71 lbs. for $1950
Joe� Boehnlein of Chilton, WI & Mike Meetz of Brillion, WI - 7.22 lbs. for $1350
Rick Henriksen & Tom Zollar of Green Bay, WI - 6.83 lbs. for $600
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Sunday
Louis New of New Berlin, WI & Mark Dodge of Germantown, WI - 8.31 lbs. for $1950
Dave Ehlke and Stuart Wells of Oshkosh, WI - 6.63 lbs. for $1350
Scott Allen of Green Bay, WI & Dennis Butz of Suamico, WI - 6.55 lbs. for $600
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The field paid down 33 places totaling $108,640 plus $3,150 in bonus contingency money from sponsors.� Add in the big fish purse of $7,800 and $119,590 was paid out for the two day event.� In addition, $5,440 was paid to Balla & Byrne for the Team of the Year honors, while runners up each received a cash bonus of $732.50 each.
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2: Boat # 89 - Wayne Butz of Hobart, WI & Don Frederick of Appleton, WI - 456 points
3: Boat # 11 - Scott Allen of Green Bay, WI & Dennis Butz of Suamico, WI - 435 points
4: Boat # 5 - Larry Keller and Chad Kropp of Neshkoro, WI - 423 points
4: Boat # 44 - Brian Sislo of Porterfield, WI & Dan Sislo of Medford, WI - 423 points
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The Sislos captured the Central Division Father & Son Team of the Year award and Gary and Marge Pelkey of Van Dyne, Wisconsin won the Husband and Wife Team of the Year award. The Pelkeys finished in 9th place for points - but were the top finishing married couple.� The top 22 teams were invited to the Championship.� With several more tournaments to round out the 2008 season, this is just the first published information on who will be attending next year's Championship.
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6: Boat # 14 - Kevin Dahl of Muskego, WI & Steve Stack of Muskego, WI - 412 points
7: Boat # 47 - James Preissner of Hastings, MN & Jeff Russell of Grand Haven, MI - 396 points
8: Boat # 194 - David Koller of Iron Mountain, MI & Carl Stepp Jr. of Crivitz, WI - 393 points
9: Boat # 38 - Gary Pelkey of Van Dyne, WI & Margaret Pelkey of Van Dyne, WI - 391 points
10: Boat # 168 - Mark Kordus of Mosinee, WI & Shawn Hettinga of Schofield, WI� - 384 points
11: Boat # 108 - Tony Kobriger of Chilton, WI & Dan Zwick of Wrightstown, WI - 375 points
12: Boat # 84 - James Pestka of Athens, WI & Jeff Wallace of Shawano, WI - 374 points
13: Boat # 37 - Louis New of New Berlin, WI & Mark Dodge of Germantown, WI - 373 points
14: Boat # 7 - Joe Okada of Fitchburg, WI & David Okada of Fitchburg, WI - 368 points
15: Boat # 49 - Tom Hoinacki of Waupun, WI & Derek Navis of Waupun, WI - 362 points
16: Boat # 31 - David Kolb of Ada, MI & Dennis Lantzy of Warren, MI - 351 points
17: Boat # 45 - Rick Henriksen of Green Bay, WI & Tom Zollar of Green Bay, WI - 347 points
18: Boat # 20 - Bert Wilson of Gladstone, MI & Donald Solis of Perronville, MI - 346 points
19: Boat # 66 - Jack Neuman of Naperville, IL & Brad Obermeier of Ankeny, IA - 334 points
20: Boat # 85 - Brett Jolly of Green Bay, WI & Lucas Molepske of Weston, WI - 333 points
21: Boat # 18 - Steve Bodinger of Chilton, WI & Dan Bodinger of Chilton, WI - 333 points
22: Boat # 96 - Tony Miller of Fond Du Lac, WI & Walter Tollefson of Fond Du Lac, WI - 330 points
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Complete points for Central division can be found at www.masterswalleyecircuit.com.
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Katie Meyer, age 7, of Oshkosh cashed in on a new bike - compliments of Toyota.� Katie is the daughter of Tom Meyer. Over 40 kids attended the MWC/NPAA Youth and Family Fishing Clinic on Saturday.� The new young anglers received rods, reels and had a great time learning how to use their new tackle.
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The Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted the tournament along with the hands-on assistance from Walleyes for Tomorrow and Lighthouse Anglers Club, from set up to tear down and all the early mornings and fish release in between.� The club receives the $2,910 conservation fund for their work on the lake in building reefs to improve spawning and fish habitat.
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Cabela's, the world's foremost outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in their seventh season as the title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit.� Official sponsors include Mercury, Lowrance, Toyota, Ranger Boats, MotorGuide, Versus (Vs.) Television Network and North American Fishing Club.� Associate sponsors are Farm & City Insurance Services, The Inhibitor, O2 Oxygenator and Sticker Dude.
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The remaining 2008 schedule is:
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July 18 - 20�� Saginaw Bay out of Linwood, Michigan
August 9 & 10� Devils Lake out of Devils Lake, North Dakota
August 22 - 24��� Lake Erie out of Dunkirk, New York
October 1-4, 2008� Lake Erie out of Dundee/Monroe, Michigan
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For more information and complete results please visit the MWC website at www.masterswalleyecircuit.com or contact MWC headquarters at 877-893-7947 or by email at:� [email protected]. |
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| Field of 187 Teams Takes Up the Next MWC Challenge on Lake Winnebago |
Minnetonka, MN� --� The Cabela�s Masters Walleye Circuit will host 187 teams in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the third and last stop in the Central Division on June 21st and 22nd.� Hard to believe that the end of the season is already upon us for MWC Central Division Team of the Year honors.� Over $8,223 will be paid out in cash prizes to the top five teams in points.� Currently, Jack Neuman of Naperville, Illinois and Brad Obermeier of Ankeny, Iowa are in the lead for points.
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�Jack and I talked about this after our tournament up at Marinette-Menominee,� shared Obermeier.� He and his cousin have really enjoyed the new partnership created with the team format.� They started the year well with a 16th place finish at the Illinois River and added a 2nd place finish on the Bay of Green Bay. �It does put a lot more pressure on this next tournament at Lake Winnebago, but we don�t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, either. When you look at the quality of the competition in this national circuit � to be poised at the top heading into the last Central event is thrilling, exciting and yet�quite a bit humbling, too.�
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But the race is tight.� In second place, local Wisconsinites Wayne Butz of Hobart and Don Frederick of Appleton are nipping at their heels, only 3 points out. Wayne and Don work together at a papermill about 3 miles from the lake.� They consider Lake Winnebago to be home waters � as do nearly half the competitors!� Does that give the locals an advantage?� �There are a lot of good fishermen from the area,� shared veteran MWCer, Butz. �They know they can compete with just about anybody.�� The conditions will play a big part in the tournament as Lake Winnebago is shifting and changing this time of year.� �Right now the mayfly hatch is done and it was a good one. The water clarity is a good five feet which means the shore bite is good and the reefs are coming on,� added Butz.� But several weeks from now the mud flats could turn on as has been the predominant location for hunting up bigger fish the last weekend in June.� Such was the case when Steve Stein and Kenny Ludwig, both of Leavenworth, Kansas, won it the last time the MWC was on Lake Winnebago in 2005.� Definitely not locals -- they pulled off the win for over $28,000 with spinners over the mud flats 25-40� behind the boards.
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�We won�t go into this event with a closed mind about what we did last time,� shared Stein.� �Lake Winnebago is such a unique place to fish, we will have to keep an open mind on what to do and where to go.�� Making the right decisions at just the right time is what wins tournaments, noted Stein.� �There�s not a better feeling than when you�ve made all the right decisions for a tournament and your program comes together for a win.�
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The field of 187 teams will pay out 32 places for a total of $104,720.� First place will pay $27,500 on down to $1,000 for 32nd.�� Space is still available, however, there are late fees within the last 30 days.� The entry fee is currently $750 until June 7th, then $800 on June 8th through the 14th and on June 15th it jumps to $1200. The maximum size of the field is 220 teams.
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A number of MWC sponsors have added contingency bonuses into the program.� Some pay out for the top finishing team in their category � whether it is a win, 10th place or 50th place!
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Mercury - $500 bonus for winning team if they are powered with a Mercury Motor
Ranger Cup/Mercury combo bonus of $500 for the top finishing team in Ranger Boat�s Ranger Cup owners program that is running a Mercury Motor
Toyota Tundra -� $1,000 bonus for the top finishing team towing their boat with a Toyota Tundra
Ranger Cup - $1,000 bonus for the top finishing team in Ranger Boat�s Ranger Cup owners program
FCIS - $250 bonus for the top finishing team on Team FCIS
Oxygenator - $200 bonus for the top finishing team with an Oxygenator system in their livewell
NPAA - $200 bonus for the top finishing two NPAA members ($100 each)
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Cabela�s, the world�s foremost outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering their seventh season as the title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit.� Official sponsors include Mercury, Lowrance Electronics, Toyota Trucks, Ranger Boats, MotorGuide, Versus (Vs.) Television Network and North American Fishing Club.� Associate sponsors are Farm & City Insurance Services, The Inhibitor, O2 Oxygenator and Sticker Dude.
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On Saturday the MWC and NPAA will co-host a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic at Menominee Park in Oshkosh.� Kids are invited to come down to watch the weigh-in and immediately following the anglers will host a clinic teaching the kids to rig up their very own fishing rod and reel. �Our sponsors have graciously donated funds so that we can bring rods, reels and tackle boxes for the kids,� shared Frank Pilney, NPAA #920 that has organized the clinics.� �We teach the kids � and their parents � the basics with the hope that the whole family will learn to enjoy fishing.� Plus, kids can win a mountain bike, donated by Toyota, fully rigged to carry the new fishing equipment to the lake.� This kid�s ultimate fishing machine will be awarded to one lucky winner in a random drawing immediately following the clinic.
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The weigh-ins are open to the public and free to attend.� Menominee Park (Millers Bay area) in Oshkosh will stage the event.� Bring the family down and see some of the big fish that will be brought to the scale, beginning at 2:45 pm Saturday and Sunday. This is a catch and release tournament.
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While this tournament is the end of the Central division, there are still tournaments in the East and West divisions.� The remaining 2008 schedule is:
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June 21 & 22� Lake Winnebago out of Oshkosh, Wisconsin
July 18 � 20�� Saginaw Bay out of Linwood, Michigan
August 9 & 10� Devils Lake out of Devils Lake, North Dakota
August 22 � 24��� Lake Erie out of Dunkirk, New York
October 1-4, 2008� Lake Erie out of Dundee/Monroe, Michigan
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