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| Seiferlein and Kaniszewski Win MWC East on Erie |
 |  |  | Seiferlein & Kaniszewski with walleyes from Day Two |
Trenton, MI -- What a difference a month makes. Eighty-two Cabela's MWC teams faced tournament conditions on the Detroit River and Lake Erie that were the absolute antithesis of what many experienced just a few weeks earlier in Spring Valley, Illinois. Picture perfect weather and a hot bite made for a happy field of competitors. Nearly 90% of the field weighed in the allowable ten-fish limit over two days.
"As each team came on stage they were so excited about catching 30 or 40 or 50 fish a day - or more! Add two days of 70-75 degree temperatures with calm waters and you have a recipe for one of the best tournaments an angler could hope for," shared Kurt Beckstrom, editor of North American Fisherman magazine and emcee for the event. "It also helps when Lake Erie shows the quality of her fishery with the winning weight at just over 65 pounds!"
Michiganers Nathan Seiferlein (Marine City) and Jason Kaniszewski (Augres) caught 80-90 fish on Saturday and another 50 on Sunday. While that may sound like a lot of fun - it was hard work that paid off $14,992 for their first place finish of 65.40 pounds. Or should we say Mr. Seiferlein and Mr. Kaniszewski, please. The two professional anglers are also school teachers, one teaching fourth grade and the other fifth. "The kids often make us good luck cards before each tournament," offered Nate. "They'll be really excited when we bring in our trophies on Monday."
The duo trolled spinners in front of Luna Pier on Lake Erie both days in 9 to 11 feet of water. They scouted out some stained, warmer water with lots of bait fish present, and used clown colored No. 6 blades. Scraping the bottom was key, which created a lot of work, as they constantly picked up zebra mussels and were having to clean baits continuously. Teachers, and professional anglers, aren't afraid of a lot of hard work. "We've taken a few MWC seconds" continued Seiferlein. "It feels great to get a win!" Seiferlein and Kaniszewski came in second place for Cabela's MWC Team of the Year in 2006 behind Jeff Manz and Greg Yarbrough, and second at Saginaw Bay last year, behind Paul Curmi and Mike Jurik. "We've been so close - this feels good!" added Kaniszewski.
The field brought in 758 fish over the two days weighing 3,316.25 pounds - a very nice 4.3 pound average. Most of the anglers chose to travel to Lake Erie rather than fish the river, staying inside the Michigan boundaries. In the past the anglers would have made the run to the Islands in Ohio for Lake Erie trolling, but the restricted boundaries due to the APHIS federal order regarding VHS made the field get creative. They certainly proved that there are a lot of fish on the Michigan side of Lake Erie as well, if there was ever any doubt.
Kevin Dahl and Steve Stack from Muskego, WI weighed the largest basket of the tournament at 38.81 pounds on day one. They ended up in 7th place after a less productive day on Sunday, still cashing a check for $2,330. An additional $1000 was added to Dahl's check by MWC sponsor Toyota. "I love my new Tundra, it's a great tow vehicle for my Ranger Boat, with lots of get-up-and-go!" Toyota is offering a $1,000 bonus for the highest finishing angler towing their boat with a Toyota Tundra.
Doug Yohe and Tim Waltz from Bradford and Williamsport, PA, respectively, won $3,182 for their 4th place finish plus Yohe won an additional $1,000 from MWC sponsor Ranger Boats for being the top angler in the Ranger Cup. This was Yohe's first tournament in his new Case and Zippo wrapped Ranger.
Other sponsor prizes included two new Ice Armor suits to Canadians Denis & Tony Kreze. The father and son team of Larry Rhoads, Sr. and Larry Rhoads II from Oregonia, OH and Burlington, KY won two new PFDs from Farm and City Insurance Services.
The biggest fish of the tournament was caught by the second-place finishing team of Shannon Robinson (Standish, MI) and Craig Gushow (Midland, MI). Their 9.69 pound fish on day two was worth a $700 cash bonus, and their second place finish cashed an additional $5,888. Robinson and Gushow weighed ten fish over the two days for 61.84 pounds.
The top fourteen teams cashed in a total of $45,920 plus big fish cash of $2,750 and contingency bonus money of $2,000 for a total cash prize package of $50,670. The Detroit River/Lake Erie tournament title sponsor, Mercury Marine, saw 60% of the "in the money" teams running Mercury motors. The winning team will also receive two cases of oil compliments of Mercury.
The tournament was held at Elizabeth Park in Trenton, Michigan, and the Downriver Walleye Federation (DWF) assisted with tournament operations; inspecting boats in the morning and weigh-in logistics in the afternoon, which included the successful release of 96% of the fish caught. For their help and support, the $15 per boat conservation fund, totaling $1,230 will go to the DWF's Detroit River conservation efforts. The MWCers all appreciated the members' hospitality and support.
Approximately 50 kids attended the MWC/NPAA Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after Saturday's weigh-in. The kids were able to take home their very own rod and reel along with the basic tackle for bobber fishing, compliments of the MWC sponsors, particularly Cabela's and Lowrance Electronics. MWC anglers taught the kids and their parents how to tie on the hooks and bobber stops. Quite a number of the kids took their gear straight down to the docks at the marina for a little immediate action. One lucky 8 year old, Ryan Conrad of Taylor, MI won a new mountain bike rigged up with rod holders -- ready to go fishing!
The next tournament will be the Cabela's MWC Walleye Madness, May 10 through 12 at Port Clinton, Ohio. The Sweet Sixteen finals format is one team bracketed against another, with the largest five-fish basket weight advancing and the loser going home early. The made-for-TV format that will showcase all the drama of head-to-head tournament competition.
Openings exist in future Cabela's MWC tournaments. For more information contact Club headquarters by email at: [email protected] or toll-free by phone at 877-893-7947. More information, including online registration is available on the Cabela's MWC website at: www.masterswalleyecircuitcom
Cabela's is the title sponsor for the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official Sponsors are Mercury Motors, Ranger Boats, MotorGuide, Lowrance Electronics, Toyota Trucks, North American Fishing Club and Versus (Vs.) television network. Associate sponsors are Tommy Docks, The Inhibitor, Food Source Lures, Ice Armor and Farm & City Insurance Services. |
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| Michigan is Second Stop of MWC 2007 Season |
Minnetonka, MN -- Cabela's MWC anglers will be shaking the proverbial "dust off their sandals" for the next tournament, April 21st and 22nd - or maybe it will be more like mud. After the flood conditions on the Illinois River, everyone is ready to leave Spring Valley behind for a nice stable tournament. Yet Lake Erie is known for anything but nice and stable. That's one of the reasons that the tournament is held where it is - at Elizabeth Park in Trenton - so that the River can be a foul weather boundary if need be.
"One year we didn't get on the lake at all - it rained and snowed horribly - we even built snowmen on the stage," shared Kurt Beckstrom, Editor of North American Fisherman magazine and emcee for the MWC East Division events. "But last year we got on the lake both days and three Circuit records were broken, for biggest single fish, 5-fish basket and 10-fish basket. It was incredible what that fishery is capable of producing."
Unfortunately, the records will be safe this year. "There won't be as big of fish or as big baskets as we had last year," shared David Kolb. He and his partner Dan Byers won the tournament last year setting two of the three records noted above. "The previous boundaries allowed us to spread out, but this year I predict we'll all be stacked up, fishing very close to one another. And the cold front has shut things down." Byers agreed. "The jig bite may be more effective this year and the river will play a more important role," added Byers. "Due to the cold water a slow presentation will be important. The fish just aren't very aggressive right now - some warm weather would sure help that turn on. Wish there was something in the upcoming forecast, but it doesn't look like a big warm up is coming."
The original boundaries were changed to Michigan only, river and lake, due to the APHIS Federal Order regarding the spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS).
Currently, 78 teams are registered, although there is still space available for additional teams to get in.
Payout is planned for the top 13 places - with first place at $14,480 and a total payout of $43,680.
1st - $14,480
2nd - $5,790
3rd - $3,756
4th - $3,130
5th - $2,676
6th - $2,494
7th - $2,292
8th - $1,920
9th - $1,730
10th - $1,540
11th - $1,402
12th - $1,310
13th - $1,160
Cabela's and Lowrance Electronics along with other MWC and NPAA sponsors have stepped up to the plate to help host Youth and Family Fishing Clinics. Frank Pilney, NPAA #920 and Alan Baumgardner NPAA #549 are leading the effort with fellow MWCers helping with the kids onsite. Nearly 60 kids attended at Spring Valley. Fifty kids at each tournament will be lucky enough to walk away with their own tackle box and basic terminal tackle for slip-float fishing, and take home their very own new rod and reel after attending the clinic. A new bike, geared with rod holders and a tackle box will be a door prize for the kids in attendance.
"This is a great way for professional anglers to share our skills with the next generation," shared Pilney. The Youth & Family Fishing clinic in Trenton will be held on Saturday, April 21st immediately following the day one weigh-in at Elizabeth Park Boat Launch. Scout Troops or other clubs are encouraged to attend as a group. Please contact the MWC office for more details.
Cabela's is the title sponsor for the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official Sponsors are Ranger Boats, Mercury Motors, MotorGuide, Lowrance Electronics, Toyota Trucks, North American Fishing Club and Versus (Vs.). Associate sponsors are Tommy Docks, The Inhibitor, Food Source Lures, Ice Armor and Farm & City Insurance Services.
For more information contact Cabela's MWC Club headquarters by email at: [email protected] or toll-free by phone at 877-893-7947. More information is available on the Cabela's MWC website at: www.masterswalleyecircuit.com |
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