For Immediate Release For More Information Contact:
Kristine Houtman 612 710 5584
events@masterswalleyecircuit.com
Manz and Yarbrough are crowned
Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Champions – presented by Cabela’s
Dundee, MI – Jeff Manz of Vanderbilt, MI and Greg Yarbrough of Port Clinton, OH have added another Cabela’s MWC feather to their cap. The duo, a former team of the year in the most prestigious team-format walleye circuit in the world, the Cabela’s MWC, can now boast the title of World Walleye Champions as well. The World Walleye Championship tournament field contained 41 of the best walleye fishing teams from around the country. Manz and Yarbrough cashed in the first place prize money of $25,000 for the winners….and over $1,150 in sponsor bonus awards totaling $26,150. In all, over $105,000 was paid out in purse and sponsor bonuses. The final day basket of 21.90 pounds was the ticket to move from 4th place where they started in the morning to the win in the afternoon. But it evolved over three unique days.
Due to small craft advisories on Lake Erie, the first day of the tournament was restricted to the Detroit River only. That changed up the majority of the anglers’ plans – as they had done most (if not all) of their pre-fishing on the big water. Getting a few fish to go in the river was the new challenge, along with the worry that day two may also be restricted waters. Smaller fish and fewer numbers reside in the river during the fall, but the tournament anglers made a valiant effort. Jeff Zawicki of Muskego, WI and Tom Sowinski of Hartford, WI lead the pack with 12.02 pounds for four fish. Manz and Yarbrough brought in 3 fish for 7.52 pounds putting them in 10th place.
The wind settled down and the second day was opened up to the full boundary. More anticipation of the unknown crept in again – as worry was running rampant on the condition of the lake after several days of blow. Would the fish still be on the spots they found during pre-fishing? Would it be too churned up to get a bite going? Robert Lampman of DeSoto, WI and Harry Miller of Bellevue, IA put the biggest basket of the second day together of 26.85 pounds. Couple that with their 5.48 pounds they pulled on the river on the first day – and they were sitting in the coveted lead spot as the event moved on to the final day. They also had the biggest fish of the Championship field on Day 2 at 10.3 pounds. Manz and Yarbrough brought in 20.33 pounds on the second day and were sitting in 4th.
Day 3 dawned cold, but calm enough to keep the full boundary in play for the last round. Lampman and Miller fought through the grass and the disappointment that their bigger fish had moved. They put together 12.44 pounds which landed them in 11th place. Zawicki and Sowinski occurred equipment challenges and couldn’t travel the distance they wanted to. They re-grouped to troll close-in where they could limp back to Bolles Harbor at the end of the day…and were glad to put two fish in the box. They ended up in 19th place.
Manz and Yarbrough traveled to their spots on the Canadian side near Pelee Island. They worked the traditional in-line spinner presentation with perch color patterns and ran 1 to 1.2 mph. It was a simple approach – they didn’t feel there was anything particularly fancy. One adjustment they made was to feed line back when the fish were checking out the bait. “That gave the fish a chance to feed on it so we could get a good hook set,” shared Yarbrough.
After the final weigh-in was over the competitors and their families adjourned for a Champions Awards Dinner. The anglers had a chance to share in the camaraderie and congratulate the new winners on their victory. “The level of competition is really impressive in this circuit,” added Yarbrough. “These guys can compete at the highest level and to win against them is an honor and a privilege.” Manz agreed. “Some of us have known each other for a long time and are really good friends,” added Manz. “We appreciated all the kind words from the anglers at the dinner. It was a wonderful ending to a great event.”
Manz and Yarbrough received a $500 bonus for being the winning team in a Mercury. They are both NPAA members and received $100 each. Their Oxygenator system in their live-well netted them healthy fish without any deductions plus a $200 bonus. Their membership in Farm & City Insurance Services Team FCIS gave another $250 in bonus.
The father and son team of Donald and Michael Olson from Andover and Coon Rapids, Minnesota, moved up from 13th ending with a total of 48.48 pounds to place 2nd in the final standings. They also had Big Fish on Day 3 at 8.08 pounds. They cashed $12,000 plus $1,000 for Ranger Cup. Third place finishers were Jerry Plourde of Cornell, MI and Daniel Stier of Clearwater, MN. Their three-day weight of 47.87 brought home $8,000 plus the Ranger/Mercury bonus of $500 and the Toyota Tundra bonus of $2,500 totaling $11,000. Fourth place was garnered by Kevin Carstensen of Merrill, WI and Rich Olds of Stevens Point, WI. They finished with 47.65 pounds and cashed $7,000. Rounding out the top five was Rob Krause and Dave Dretske of Berlin, Wisconsin with their 47.45 pound total. They netted $6,000 for their impressive two days after a zero on day one in the river.
The 2009 schedule was announced at the Championship Awards dinner and is proud to boast a new West Division for anglers in and around Minnesota and the Dakotas.
Central Division
March 28 & 29 - Spring Valley, IL (Illinois River)
May 16 & 17 -- Lake City, MN (Mississippi River/Lake Pepin)
July 11 & 12 - Marinette WI/Menominee MI (Bay of Green Bay)
East Division
April 25 & 26 - Trenton, MI (Detroit River & Michigan Only Lake Erie)
May 29, 30 & 31 - Sandusky, OH (Central Lake Erie)
Aug 21, 22 & 23– Dunkirk, NY (Eastern Lake Erie)
West Division
May 2 & 3 – Mobridge, SD (Lake Oahe)
July 25 & 26 – Devils Lake, ND (Devils Lake)
Sept 12 & 13 – Webster, SD (Waubay Lake)
World Walleye Championship
October 7 (ProAm) and 8-10 - Dundee, MI (Lake Erie & Detroit River)
The Championship field was aflutter with kudos for the Cabela’s Dundee store employees and the job they did. From the rules meeting, in-store meet and greet, inspections, parking, VHS cleaning station and the Champions dinner …the employees were an awesome addition to such a special event.
Thanks to all of our sponsors, site coordinators, volunteers and communities for making 2008 a successful season. We look forward to 2009!
Full results and photos are attached, for more information about the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit, please contact the Headquarters at events@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call 877-893-7947.
Cabela’s, the world’s foremost outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering their eighth season as the title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include North American Fishing Club, Versus, MotorGuide, Mercury, Lowrance Electronics, Toyota Trucks and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors are Farm & City Insurance Services, The Inhibitor, O2 Oxygenator, Sticker Dude and Mobil1.
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bill.cadwell@in-depthangling.com
Smitty's Marine Lake City-Alumacraft/YarCraft/Ultracraft
St. Croix Rods/Hooked On Fishing Bait/Tackle Rochester/B-Fish-N Tackle/Smooth Moves Seats/Fin-Tech
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MWC Championship
