07-21-2007, 04:10 AM
New York's Lower Niagara, holds huge walleyes, and the world will find out just how big those fish can get once the Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit competition begins July 21 in Youngstown.
"The Lower Niagara River and surrounding waters are really an under-rated resource as far as walleyes are concerned," says Bill Hilts, Jr., Outdoor Sports Specialist with the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation and host of this event. "Bringing the MWC here will really showcase that resource. We have the trophy fish potential that set new circuit records."
Hilts is referring to the new circuit record of 85.07 pounds set June 2-3 on the Eastern Basin of Lake Ontario. Two New York anglers, Steve Gould and Chris Monica brought in nine walleyes over two days that topped the record set last year on Lake Erie by nearly 3 pounds. "Nine walleyes averaging 9 1/2 pounds is phenomenal!" exclaimed North American Fisherman editor Kurt Beckstrom, who will emcee the Niagara River tournament. "I sure hope the folks of Youngstown, Lewiston and Buffalo come out to watch the weigh-ins each day. It could be quite a show!"
The stage and weigh-in area will be set up at Main Street and Hinman in downtown Youngstown, adjacent to St. Bernard's Catholic Church. The teams will load their boats up at the state park at 3 p.m., and then drive down to Youngstown. The public is invited to attend and watch the weigh-ins, which will last about one hour and cheer on the anglers, both Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, immediately following the weigh-in, the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) and the MWC will co-host a no-cost Youth and Family Fishing Clinic. Rods and reels are donated along with tackle boxes for kids to take home. "There are slip bobbers and enough essential tackle to get someone started dreaming over a bobber," says Alan Baumgardner, NPAA #549. Baumgardner and Frank Pilney, NPAA #920, have coordinated these clinics throughout the year with the help of the MWC sponsors. The kids and their parents have had a wonderful experience. Toyota has donated three new bikes as prizes for the lucky new anglers. The bikes, rigged by the anglers with rod holders, will be ready to take their new gear fishing.
Twenty-seven teams are currently signed up for the tournament, making the total purse pay out $15,120 to the top four places. First place will be $8,020, second place $3,680, third place $1,920 and fourth place $1,500. The prize money is awarded for the top overall two-day weight. Each team can bring in up to five fish per team per day.
This tournament will test the anglers' ability to control their boats. To get the job done, many anglers will be using a MotorGuide Wireless Trolling motor.
MotorGuide Wireless trolling motors provide simple, fast and precise wireless boat positioning from anywhere on deck with a low-profile foot pedal. And since these motors are designed especially with big waters in mind, they are built to take the poundings of fishing in rough, open water, with much of the credit for durability going to the company's exclusive Digital know-how and the incredible new Cradle Lock Mount.
"We are positive our new MotorGuide wireless (trolling motor) will get the job done whether we are slipping the current in the river or trolling a contour out on the bar," says Mercury and MotorGuide pro Shawn Hannah. "So far this season it has been flawless and a big part of our success."
A conservation fund of $15 per boat, totaling $405 will be awarded to the Niagara River Anglers Association for their work with rearing ponds, which improves the quality of the fishery. The NRAA will assist the circuit with daily tournament operations.
Openings exist in future MWC tournaments. The remaining schedule is:
MWC East<br />
July 21 & 22 - Youngstown, NY - Niagara River and Lake Ontario
MWC Central<br />
Sept 8 & 9 - Dubuque, IA - Mississippi River
MWC West (Exhibition Tournament)<br />
August 18 & 19 -Ortonville, MN - Big Stone Lake
World Walleye Championship (invitation only)<br />
Oct 4-6 -- Dundee, MI -- Detroit River and Lake Erie
For more information contact circuit headquarters by email at: events@masterswalleyecircuit.com or toll-free by phone at 877-893-7947.
"The Lower Niagara River and surrounding waters are really an under-rated resource as far as walleyes are concerned," says Bill Hilts, Jr., Outdoor Sports Specialist with the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation and host of this event. "Bringing the MWC here will really showcase that resource. We have the trophy fish potential that set new circuit records."
Hilts is referring to the new circuit record of 85.07 pounds set June 2-3 on the Eastern Basin of Lake Ontario. Two New York anglers, Steve Gould and Chris Monica brought in nine walleyes over two days that topped the record set last year on Lake Erie by nearly 3 pounds. "Nine walleyes averaging 9 1/2 pounds is phenomenal!" exclaimed North American Fisherman editor Kurt Beckstrom, who will emcee the Niagara River tournament. "I sure hope the folks of Youngstown, Lewiston and Buffalo come out to watch the weigh-ins each day. It could be quite a show!"
The stage and weigh-in area will be set up at Main Street and Hinman in downtown Youngstown, adjacent to St. Bernard's Catholic Church. The teams will load their boats up at the state park at 3 p.m., and then drive down to Youngstown. The public is invited to attend and watch the weigh-ins, which will last about one hour and cheer on the anglers, both Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, immediately following the weigh-in, the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) and the MWC will co-host a no-cost Youth and Family Fishing Clinic. Rods and reels are donated along with tackle boxes for kids to take home. "There are slip bobbers and enough essential tackle to get someone started dreaming over a bobber," says Alan Baumgardner, NPAA #549. Baumgardner and Frank Pilney, NPAA #920, have coordinated these clinics throughout the year with the help of the MWC sponsors. The kids and their parents have had a wonderful experience. Toyota has donated three new bikes as prizes for the lucky new anglers. The bikes, rigged by the anglers with rod holders, will be ready to take their new gear fishing.
Twenty-seven teams are currently signed up for the tournament, making the total purse pay out $15,120 to the top four places. First place will be $8,020, second place $3,680, third place $1,920 and fourth place $1,500. The prize money is awarded for the top overall two-day weight. Each team can bring in up to five fish per team per day.
This tournament will test the anglers' ability to control their boats. To get the job done, many anglers will be using a MotorGuide Wireless Trolling motor.
MotorGuide Wireless trolling motors provide simple, fast and precise wireless boat positioning from anywhere on deck with a low-profile foot pedal. And since these motors are designed especially with big waters in mind, they are built to take the poundings of fishing in rough, open water, with much of the credit for durability going to the company's exclusive Digital know-how and the incredible new Cradle Lock Mount.
"We are positive our new MotorGuide wireless (trolling motor) will get the job done whether we are slipping the current in the river or trolling a contour out on the bar," says Mercury and MotorGuide pro Shawn Hannah. "So far this season it has been flawless and a big part of our success."
A conservation fund of $15 per boat, totaling $405 will be awarded to the Niagara River Anglers Association for their work with rearing ponds, which improves the quality of the fishery. The NRAA will assist the circuit with daily tournament operations.
Openings exist in future MWC tournaments. The remaining schedule is:
MWC East<br />
July 21 & 22 - Youngstown, NY - Niagara River and Lake Ontario
MWC Central<br />
Sept 8 & 9 - Dubuque, IA - Mississippi River
MWC West (Exhibition Tournament)<br />
August 18 & 19 -Ortonville, MN - Big Stone Lake
World Walleye Championship (invitation only)<br />
Oct 4-6 -- Dundee, MI -- Detroit River and Lake Erie
For more information contact circuit headquarters by email at: events@masterswalleyecircuit.com or toll-free by phone at 877-893-7947.