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| Hasslen and Seidell Win at Big Stone Lake |
Ortonville, MN -- Brent Hasslen of Ortonville, Minnesota and Richie Seidell of Big Stone City, South Dakota have been friends for most of their life -- and they enjoy team fishing for walleyes together. On Sunday, August 19, 2007 they captured their first Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit victory when the event rolled around to their home waters - Big Stone Lake. Cashing in $7,184 for the win, they produced the maximum eight allowable fish over the two day tournament at 16.06 pounds. Plus, the duo won the big fish pot on Saturday with a 3.17 pound walleye, gaining the team a $350 bonus.
The winners used two patterns for the tournament. Casting cranks into the shallow rocks on the North end of the lake, just 2 to 3 miles from the top on the Minnesota side, worked best for bigger fish. They predominantly used number 5 shad raps, chartreuse and white, which produced well both days. The other productive pattern was trolling crank baits at 2.2 to 3.5 miles per hour with planer boards. As the tournament waned, it seemed the slower the better according to Hasslen. When asked what type of cranks were hot, Seidell answered, "They hit on a lot of different things - it was like a smorgasbord of options."
Hasslen added, "We were constantly changing out our baits. We must have tried over 150 different baits throughout the day. We'd get one fish and then it seemed that the one that got a hit wouldn't work so we'd keep changing it up." That's a lot of hard work in the boat, which is exactly what tournament fishing is - hard work! According to Seidell, "We're dog tired when we're done, but we don't mind working hard for the money." Hasslen quickly added with a smile, "We don't mind a little luck when the fish cooperate, either."
The key to their success was selecting their spot for the shallow rocks fishing. During pre-fishing they looked for algae stained water, the grosser the better. Then they patiently stayed put -- up to four hours during the tournament days. "We were really pleased that after holding the lead on day one, we got to our spot and no one else had moved in. That was good sportsmanship," shared Hasslen.
Second place and $3,094 went to the father and son team of Terry and John Oakes weighing in at 11.63 pounds for seven fish. Also locals from Ortonville and Big Stone City, the Oakes' won the last Cabela's MWC at Big Stone Lake in 2003. They also received a cash bonus of $350 for the biggest fish on Sunday at 4.36 pounds. Like Hasslen and Seidel, they caught their big fish throwing plugs, silver and thin, on the rocks. "The bigger fish didn't really act like a walleye when it hit, and I was pretty sure Dad had on a silver bass," laughed Terry after the checks were presented and the cash was in his wallet. "I told him I wasn't even going to get a net for it, but the joke was on me when it was a walleye. He didn't let me forget it for the rest of the day, either!"
Third place went to Kevin Carstensen of Merrill, Wisconsin and Rich Olds of Stevens Point, Wisconsin. They picked up Big Stone Lake as their MWC Challenge tournament, which is one strategy for getting into the World Walleye Championship the following year. It worked out pretty well for the Wisconsinites as they won $1,482 for their 10.25 pounds over two days.
Several other teams entered the Big Stone Lake tournament in the hunt for points - including Daniel Stier of Pierre, South Dakota and Jerry Plourde of Cornell, Michigan. They were in the lead for Team of the Year, but didn't fare well at Big Stone Lake, not boating a fish either day. Terry Mayhall of Madison, Wisconsin and Tony Dowiatt of Stevens Point, Wisconsin were close behind Stier and Plourde, but managed to put seven fish together for 8.92 pounds, good enough to earn the $1,000 Ranger Cup bonus for their 5th place finish. That gives Mayhall and Dowiatt a position of second place heading into the last tournament of the qualifying season in Dubuque, Iowa, September 8th and 9th. Scott Hausauer of Appleton, Wisconsin and Tony Larson of Gladstone, Michigan are currently in first place.
In all, $13,460 was paid out to the top teams in cash prizes. Plus, $315 was awarded to the Big Stone Lake Walleye Club for improvements to their rearing ponds. The walleye conservation fund is donated by the anglers at a rate of $15 out of each entry fee - and has put over $130,000 into conservation efforts over more than twenty years.
Toyota donated two specially rigged bikes to carry fishing rods to the NPAA/MWC Youth & Family Fishing Clinic on Saturday. Lowrance Electronics, Cabela's, Ranger Boats and the North American Fishing Club donated rods and reels with tackle boxes full of essential gear. After putting their very own rod in their hands, NPAA angler #920, Frank Pilney, led the kids in learning to tie the knots for slip-bobber fishing. Tony Schake, age 12, son of Laurel and Doug Schake of Big Stone City, South Dakota and Erica Fahey, age 6, daughter of Julie and Doug Fahey of Carver, Minnesota each won one of the new bikes. Approximately 50 children from the area attended the clinic with their parents or other family members.
Farm and City Insurance Services donated safety equipment to several anglers, including two new PFDs to the reigning Central Division Father and Son team of Don and Michael Olson, of Andover and Coon Rapids, Minnesota. In addition, FCIS places $5 for every quote they give into a bonus conservation fund.
Ice Armor also donated a new set of outdoor gear to lucky winners Jim Gregory of Big Stone City, South Dakota and Rick Hentges of Millbank, South Dakota.
The Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the event in conjunction with Ortonville's Cornfest Days. Thousands of people were in town for the festivities and huge crowds attended the weigh-in, in spite of wet and drizzly days.
Only one qualifying tournament remains on the schedule before the Championship in October.
MWC Central
Sept 8 & 9 - Dubuque, IA - Mississippi River
World Walleye Championship (invitation only)
Oct 4-6 -- Dundee, MI -- Detroit River and Lake Erie
For more information contact circuit headquarters by email at: [email protected] or toll-free by phone at 877-893-7947.
Cabela's is the title sponsor for the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official Sponsors are North American Fishing Club, MotorGuide, Toyota Trucks, Mercury Motors, Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, 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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RESULTS
1: Boat # 12 - Brent Hasslen of Ortonville, MN & Richie Seidell of Big Stone City, SD
Day One: 4 Fish, 9.04 lbs.
Day Two: 4 Fish, 7.02 lbs.
Total: 8 Fish, 16.06 lbs. worth $7,184.00
Challenge Pts: 4.76
2: Boat # 11 - Terry Oakes of Ortonville, MN & John Oakes of Big Stone City, SD
Day One: 3 Fish, 3.17 lbs.
Day Two: 4 Fish, 8.46 lbs.
Total: 7 Fish, 11.63 lbs. worth $3,094.00
Challenge Pts: 9.52
3: Boat # 17 - Kevin Carstensen of Merrill, WI & Rich Olds of Stevens Point, WI
Day One: 3 Fish, 3.48 lbs.
Day Two: 4 Fish, 6.77 lbs.
Total: 7 Fish, 10.25 lbs. worth $1,482.00
Challenge Pts: 14.28
4: Boat # 20 - Shane Spooner of Watertown, SD & Chad Hauger of Watertown, SD
Day One: 4 Fish, 4.86 lbs.
Day Two: 3 Fish, 5.11 lbs.
Total: 7 Fish, 9.97 lbs.
Challenge Pts: 19.04
5: Boat # 18 - Terry Mayhall of Madison, WI & Tony Dowiatt of Stevens Point, WI
Day One: 3 Fish, 3.53 lbs.
Day Two: 4 Fish, 5.39 lbs.
Total: 7 Fish, 8.92 lbs. worth $1,000.00
Challenge Pts: 23.80
6: Boat # 8 - Brad Engebretson of Rochester, MN & Brian Sularz of Maple Grove, MN
Day One: 4 Fish, 4.74 lbs.
Day Two: 4 Fish, 4.08 lbs.
Total: 8 Fish, 8.82 lbs.
Challenge Pts: 28.57
7: Boat # 15 - Brian Bjorkman of Fargo, ND & Dave Longtine of Moorhead, MN
Day One: 4 Fish, 5.46 lbs.
Day Two: 1 Fish, 1.23 lbs.
Total: 5 Fish, 6.69 lbs.
Challenge Pts: 33.33
8: Boat # 9 - David Cornelius of Clarkfield, MN & Nick Shaw of Freeport, MN
Day One: 3 Fish, 5.37 lbs.
Day Two: 1 Fish, 1.07 lbs.
Total: 4 Fish, 6.44 lbs.
Challenge Pts: 38.09
9: Boat # 3 - Donald Olson of Andover, MN & Michael Olson of Coon Rapids, MN
Day One: 4 Fish, 5.02 lbs.
Day Two: 0 Fish, 0.00 lbs.
Total: 4 Fish, 5.02 lbs.
Challenge Pts: 42.85
10: Boat # 13 - Dustin Kjelden of Brookings, SD & Corey Rost of Madison, SD
Day One: 1 Fish, 1.11 lbs.
Day Two: 3 Fish, 3.54 lbs.
Total: 4 Fish, 4.65 lbs.
Challenge Pts: 47.61
11: Boat # 19 - Lynn Jurrens of Watertown, SD & Ryan Kelly of Ortonville, MN
Day One: 4 Fish, 4.30 lbs.
Day Two: 0 Fish, 0.00 lbs.
Total: 4 Fish, 4.30 lbs.
Challenge Pts: 52.38
12: Boat # 5 - Richard Young of Dover, MN & Chad Niemann of Rochester, MN
Day One: 2 Fish, 2.27 lbs.
Day Two: 2 Fish, 1.80 lbs.
Total: 4 Fish, 4.07 lbs.
Challenge Pts: 57.14
13: Boat # 14 - Jim Gregory of Big Stone City, SD & Rick Hentges of Milbank, SD
Day One: 0 Fish, 0.00 lbs.
Day Two: 3 Fish, 3.96 lbs.
Total: 3 Fish, 3.96 lbs.
Challenge Pts: 61.90
14: Boat # 21 - Jay Walsh of Chicago, IL & Carl Pedersen of Hibbing, MN
Day One: 2 Fish, 3.16 lbs.
Day Two: 0 Fish, 0.00 lbs.
Total: 2 Fish, 3.16 lbs.
Challenge Pts: 66.66
15: Boat # 2 - Troy Skorich of Superior, WI & John Swanstrom of Superior, WI
Day One: 1 Fish, 1.33 lbs.
Day Two: 0 Fish, 0.00 lbs.
Total: 1 Fish, 1.33 lbs.
Challenge Pts: 71.42
The following teams did not weigh a fish in the tournament:
Boat # 4 - Scott Grapp of Waterloo, IA & Greg Azbill of Waterloo, IA
Boat # 6 - Jerry Plourde of Cornell, MI & Daniel Stier of Pierre, SD
Boat # 7 - Eric Kilburg of Elk Point, SD & Doug Clark of Bellevue, IA
Boat # 10 - Mike Swalec of Midlothian, IL & David Nolan of Homer Glen, IL
Boat # 16 - John Erickson of Laporte, MN & Chris Johnston of Laporte, MN
They each received 76.19 Challenge Points in this tournament.
The following team did not fish in the tournament and receive no points:
Boat # 1 - Jeff Manz of Vanderbilt, MI & Greg Yarbrough of Port Clinton, OH |
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| MWC Heads to Big Stone for Walleye Exhibition |
Minnetonka, MN -- The Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit will travel to Ortonville, Minnesota for an exhibition tournament on Big Stone Lake, slated August 18th and 19th of 2007. While the tournament roster is down in numbers, the town is expected to burst at the seams with attendees. The weekend is also the annual Cornfest Days which traditionally draws over 10,000 visitors to the community. Thousands will watch the weigh-ins by the lake on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, beginning at 4 o'clock next to the boat launch. The Cabela's MWC stage will host other Cornfest festivities as well.
"Unfortunately, the roster size is down for this event, just twenty one teams," shared Kristine Houtman, director of the MWC. "Last year we tried our first West exhibition tournament at Devils Lake and had just over 60 teams. We had hoped to be somewhere in that ball park for this event, but it hasn't quite panned out." The exhibition format means that the tournament is a stand-alone event, and not part of the Central Division which averages between 160 and 200 boats per tournament each year.
By having an exhibition tournament, MWC officials can see what kind of interest there is in a future division of three stops. The 2008 schedule has been announced with another West Division exhibition tournament back to Devils Lake in August. "We hope the anglers that want to see an MWC tournament in their neck of the woods step up to show us their interest," added Houtman.
Payout for a 21-boat field will be $7,184 for 1st place, $3,094 for 2nd place and $1,482 for 3rd place for the Big Stone Lake event. Some teams have picked up this tournament for points as much as for the cash prize. For example, Terry Mayhall and Tony Dowiatt of Wisconsin placed 5th at Spring Valley this year and went on to capture 4th place at Green Bay. That means they have a great shot at Team of the Year come September at Dubuque - however, all candidates for that honor must pick up a fourth tournament. And the exhibition tournament qualifies.
"Terry and I have done well in past MWC seasons - but we're really within striking distance for Team of the Year honors," shared Tony Dowiatt, who fishes with best friend Terry Mayhall. Mayhall and Dowiatt hold the Cabela's MWC Circuit record big fish at 12.65 pounds from 2006 on Lake Erie. "With a twenty-plus year history of cranking out quality Teams of the Year - the honor being within our reach is one any fisherman would work hard to achieve."
"Once we got within striking distance we knew we needed to give it a shot," added Mayhall. "You'd be filled with coulda's and shoulda's if you didn't give it a try!"
The MWC along with the NPAA will sponsor a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic at Ortonville on Saturday, August 18th - immediately following the weigh-in. The weigh-in will begin at about 4 o'clock and the clinic should start between 4:30 and 5:00. The public is invited to come watch the weigh-ins and stay for the clinic. Sponsors such as Cabela's, Lowrance Electronics, North American Fishing Club and Ranger Boats have donated rods and reels so that a lucky number of kids will get their own to take home with them. Toyota has donated three bikes that will be rigged up with rod holders for the kids to win in a drawing, too.
Parents are encouraged to attend with young children (under 6th grade) as the anglers will instruct them on tying on real hooks and/or jigs to their lines. Basic slip bobber fishing is encouraged as many of the MWC anglers grew up dreaming over a bobber - and want to pass that on to the next generation as well.
A conservation fund of $15 per boat, totaling $315 will be awarded to the Big Stone Lake Walleye Club.
Openings exist in future MWC tournaments. The remaining schedule is:
MWC Central
Sept 8 & 9 - Dubuque, IA - Mississippi River
MWC West (Exhibition Tournament)
August 18 & 19 -Ortonville, MN - Big Stone Lake
World Walleye Championship (invitation only)
Oct 4-6 -- Dundee, MI -- Detroit River and Lake Erie
For more information contact circuit headquarters by email at: [email protected] or toll-free by phone at 877-893-7947.
Cabela's is the title sponsor for the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official Sponsors are MotorGuide, Toyota Trucks, Mercury Motors, Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, 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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