The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit concluded its Eastern Division series with an exciting two-day event at Au Gres, Michigan, on Saginaw Bay, crowning not only tournament champs, but Divisional Teams of the Year for 2010 and the Berkley Premier Bracket Challenge winners as well.
Generally, anglers targeted suspended walleyes staged in the upper section of the bay. During the weigh-in, Justin Champagne, a competitor from Au Gres who was fishing his home waters, told the crowd that extremely warm summer temperatures in the area had driven baitfish and walleyes toward deeper, cooler water in the upper bay. He and his partner, Josh Gordon, also from Au Gres, finished in 17th place.
And, indeed, all the competitors motored at least 15 miles north of the launch ramp at the Au Gres City Boat Landing to find cooler water. Light to moderate winds blew during both fishing days, though direction changed frequently, frustrating some anglers when the fickle breeze slowed the bite or moved the walleyes during the day.
Most teams said it was easy to find walleyes, riding the bottom in up to 80 feet of water, or suspended somewhere in the water column. Those holding anywhere from 25 to 40 feet down were generally the most active, they said.
State fishing regulations on Saginaw Bay allow up to three rods per angler, with two lures per line. Tournament Champions, Michigan anglers David Kolb, of Rockford, and Ryan Wall, of New Baltimore, used Off-Shore OS-16 stackers to run two ‘crawler harnesses through the strike zone 10 to 30 feet back off a single line. The rig was weighted with a 4-ounce bottom bouncer on the terminal end.
In addition, the pair pulled in-line planer boards, stacking a second line between the rodtip and board. Off-Shore weighted diving planers put the harnesses at the correct depth. The pair trolled No. 5 and No. 6 Cabela’s and Northland Colorado blades, with gold, silver, purple and chartreuse being the most productive patterns. Trolling speed was precise, seldom straying outside 1.1 to 1.2 miles per hour.
“We keyed on the transition between the bay’s green water and the lake’s blue water,” said Kolb. “Some teams ventured farther into the clear water today, but we wanted to stay in that transition zone.”
On Day One, Kolb and Wall weighed 18.29 pounds and landed in sixth place for the day, just 1.79 pounds behind the leaders, Nathan Sieferlein of Chesterfield, Michigan, and Jason Kaniszewski of Au Gres. But the pair came back strong on Day Two with a five-fish limit weighing 20.08 pounds, capturing first place and the top cash prize of $12,000 with a two-day total of 38.37 pounds. In addition, the team swept the list of sponsor contingency bonuses. They collected an additional $1,000 in Ranger Cup winnings, plus a $500 gift card for the Cabela’s Angler’s Cash, a second $500 Cabela’s gift card for Berkley’s Premier Team Bonus, the $500 Lowrance HDS Bonus, and $200 for the U2 Livewell Treatment Bonus. They also took the Day Two Big Fish Award with a 5.82-pound walleye that gave the pair an additional $700.
“This win is really unbelievable,” said Kolb. “After the first day, I didn’t think we had a chance, but things just worked out. It’s really incredible.”
Day One leaders Sieferlien and Kaniszewski hung tight to second place with a Day Two weight of 16.39 pounds, for a 36.47-pound total. They collected $5,600 plus a $300 Cabela’s gift card for placing second in Berkley’s Premier Team Bonus.Ohio anglers Mike Knippenberg, of Hiram, and Ryan Buddie, of Lakewood, took third place and $3,670 with a 36.12-pound two-day total. They also won a $200 Cabela’s gift card for taking third in Berkley’s Premier Team Bonus.
This Eastern Division finale also decided several other divisional races. Terry Loll and Charlie Horen, both of Kawkawlin, Michigan, turned in 16.54 pounds on Day Two to beat the 9.09 pounds caught by Bill Murray of Howell, Michigan, and his brother Bob of Fenton, Michigan, in the final-day showdown for the Berkley Premier Team Bracket Championship. Forty-eight teams fished in bracketed, head-to-head competitions throughout the three-tournament season, culminating in the finale at Au Gres. For besting the field, Loll and Horen earn a spot in the 2011 Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit World Walleye Championship, as well as a one-year Berkley sponsorship worth $3,500.
Divisional Team of the Year Honors went to Ohio teammates Dan Johnson, of Fayetteville, and Larry Rhodes, of Oregonia. The pair held off fellow Ohioans Mike Knippenberg and Ryan Buddie by a three-point spread for the season. Along with top divisional honors, Johnson and Rhodes took home a $2,574 check.
Steve and Dan Bodinger of Chilton, Wisconsin, ended the Eastern Division as the Brothers Team of the Year, collecting a $125 Cabela’s gift card. Husband and Wife Team of the Year honors went to Joe and Mary Whitten of Toledo, Ohio, while Gary and 13-year-old Nick Zart took the Father and Son Team of the Year title. Both teams also received a $125 Cabela’s gift card.
Day One was capped off with a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic courtesy of the MWC and National Professional Anglers Association, with free rods, reels and tackle donated by Cabela’s, Abu Garcia, Northland Fishing Tackle and the Arenac County Walleye Club.
Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, isinits nineth season as title sponsor of the MWC, which is now in its 26th season. Official sponsors of the MWC include: Berkley, Ranger Boats, Mercury, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Fishouflage, Versus (Vs.) Television Network and North American Fishing Club. Associate Sponsors include: O2 Marine Technologies, 3-IN-ONE No Rust Shield, Abu Garcia, Fin-tech, Northland Fishing Tackle, Ryjus and Reflections.By: Cabela’s MWC Staff
